Solmetric PVA-1000S, User Manual

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1 Getting Started
1-22
PV/Electrical Safety Precautions
Installed PV systems are not consistent in design or construction. Therefore, the guidance
provided in this section is general in nature, and it is critical that you apply techniques
and precautions appropriate to the circumstances, following best PV/electrical safety
precautions.
WARNING The information below is important but not necessarily complete; the operator must
assess the potential dangers of each PV system, and take appropriate precautions.
FAILURE TO TAKE APPROPRIATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS COULD LEAD
TO PERSONAL INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE.
•
Never work alone.
•
Do not use the PVA-1000S in wet environments.
•
Do not operate or subject the PVA-1000S to temperatures beyond the published
operating and storage temperature specifications.
•
Wear electrical safety gloves.
•
Wear eye protection.
•
Wear fall protection where required.
•
Assume that metal surfaces are energized unless proven otherwise.
•
Isolate the PV source circuit under test from the inverter, and from other PV
source circuits, before making any connections to the test device (PV module,
string, or array).
•
Always pause the measurement sequence using the LED-illuminated pushbutton
switch on the I-V Unit before connecting or disconnecting the test leads of the
PVA-1000S.
•
Do not use the PVA-1000S to test devices that produce more than the
instrument’s specified maximum current and voltage.
•
Connect the test leads to the test device (PV module, string, or array) with the
correct polarity.
•
Protect the primary test lead connectors of the PVA-1000S by installing
connector-saver jumpers. Replace the connector-saver jumpers when they have
reached 100 connections.
•
Special 1000v test leads and alligator clips are provided with the PVA-1000S.
Do not substitute other test leads. Also, do not use the test leads from a PVA-
600
+
, which are rated only to 600v.