6
Operation of the PVPM
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6.7 Connecting the Combined Sensor
For a measurement you must connect a Pt100/Pt1000 temperature sensor and a Phox irradiance sensor
(delivered as a combined device) to the relevant plug(s) of the PVPM. For just the measurement of serial
resistance Rs or I-V-curve these sensors are obsolete. The plugs are build in a way with prevents you from
connecting a sensor to a wrong plug.
The combined Phox/Pt1000 sensor should be mounted near the modules to be measured. It must have exactly
the same orientation (elevation and azimuth) regarding the sun as the modules have. Most time the easiest way
is the direct assembly to the module frame. Please take care that the sensor will drop no shadow to the module!
The sensor needs several minutes to adapt to the environment conditions: the reference cell firstly should reach
the temperature of the module, before you can start to measure I-V-curves with the PVPM (see chap.6.10).
For this reason the sensor should not be set up far away from the modules (e.g. modules on the roof, sensor in
the yard). Since the solar cells do not react only to the direct irradiation, but also to light reflected in the
environment, the sensor can possibly notice different light intensity in the same orientation of sensor and
modules and so falsify the results of the measurement.
In the simplest case the sensor is fastened with a clamp to the modules under test. Pay attention that the sensor
does not shadow the modules under test! The sensor should have some time in order to adapt to the site
conditions. At PVPM devices that have no second temperature measuring input the sensor must approximately
reach the temperature of the module under test (the temperatures are readable on the display of the running
PVPM). For security reasons we recommend to check the backsurface temperature of the module under test
additionally manually e.g. with an infrared thermometer. Now a measurement with the PVPM can be carried out
(s. also chapter 8).
6.8 Switching-on
Switch the power of PVPM on by pushing the trigger switch “Power” at the front panel for approx. 1 second
(push it again to power the device off again). The indicator light “On” will show you the presence of power from
the accumulator or an external power supply. The PVPM will now pass some self tests and will be ready after
about 10-15 seconds of operation. The TFT display will show the start-up screen:
Lamps on front panel:: see chapter 19.1
The PVPM reports several system conditions, functions and errors by speaker signals. A list of signals you will
find in the appendix.
When the device signals readiness, you can start a new measurement.
Operation manual for PVPM devices
PV-Engineering GmbH
