Feature sponsored by Test & measurement Q
What changes do you see in the photovoltaic (PV) system market in the next few years?
The transition to using renewable energy is accelerating, due to steeply rising energy costs and global initiatives to
reduce CO2 emissions. Solar farms are critical to harvesting this renewable energy source and offer immense benefits. The first is that the sun is an unlimited source of energy, and unlike fossil fuels, it will not become commercially unviable to use. The only limitation is ensuring we can capture it and turn it into electricity in a safe and cost-effective way. It is also a clean source of energy and produces no greenhouse gas emissions. As such, solar is a key technology in the drive towards cleaner energy production. As it produces energy directly from the sun, there is no need to supply fuel, making operational costs low compared to other forms of energy production. With the growing adoption of this form of power, we will see increased demand for safe, reliable and rugged measurement tools that are also accurate. On the other side, the efficiency of solar systems is
increasing which is driving wider deployment, caused actually by energy crisis on oil and gas as well as the reducing of carbon dioxide footprint. Many of the world’s power grids are not built to meet the electric power needs of communities, especially as those communities grow. Hybrid power systems which combine multiple sources to deliver non-intermittent electric power could become more commonplace to combat this. These microgrids rely on a combination of wind turbines, PV modules, battery banks and generators – and they are well regulated for optimum conversion to meet the load requirements in residential, commercial and industrial settings. There are several new advancements coming in utility scale solar including DC-coupled battery storage, solar power (DC) tracking systems, drone infrared scanning of PV array, and smaller central inverters. New technological developments will lead to increased efficiencies in solar and accelerate its use as a renewable energy source.
Q
Why are most manufacturers of inverters and solar modules shifting from 1,000 V systems to 1,500 V and how does the 393 FC meet this new demand?
The manufacturers of inverters and solar modules are shifting from 1000 V systems to 1500 V for greater efficiency. For solar installations, overvoltage category CAT III 1500 V systems are being widely used. CAT III and CAT IV equipment is essential for photovoltaic systems as technicians are finding that their current tools are not up to the job. To work around this, they need to isolate the PV string from the combiner box, disconnect the panel strings in half to use tools rated for 1000V, then reconnect to the PV string and combiner box. This increases maintenance costs as well as putting strings out of action for the time needed to conduct the tests. The Fluke 393 FC Solar Clamp Meter fully matches the insulation demands of such CAT III environments.
Instrumentation Monthly September 2022 Q Q
Why are CAT safety ratings so important when choosing a Clamp Meter?
Solar domestic inverters with an input voltage up to 1000 V and large-scale inverters that can handle up to 1500 V, require test tools rated for the relevant measurement category or CAT safety rating, as well as the application’s voltage level. The Fluke 393 FC can cope with average voltage levels, high voltage spikes and transients that can produce an electric shock or cause an arc flash. Designed to be supremely safe and easy to use, the Fluke 393 FC is a key solution helping installers and maintenance staff get solar farms online rapidly and keep them producing renewable energy.
Can the Fluke 393 FC CAT III 1500 V True-RMS Clamp Meter be used by technicians working on domestic photovoltaic systems?
Yes, the Fluke 393 FC Clamp Meter is the test tool for solar technicians working on both domestic and industrial solar systems as well as those involved in large scale applications such as solar farms. The tool offers enhanced productivity with an audio beep function that indicates correct PV polarity and provides visual continuity indication to make testing easier in low light conditions. Additionally, the meter offers a dual line display, enabling technicians to take simultaneous measurements.
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