Design qualification and type approval of PV modules acc. to IEC 61730 TüV Rheinland Immissionsschutz und Energiesysteme GmbH Renewable Energies June 2006 Overview of IEC 61730(2004) The IEC 61730 consists of 2 parts: - - Part 1: Requirements for module design and materials Part 2: Safety tests Part 1 of the IEC 61730 defines the mandatory design characteristics of the modules (such as minimum distances of conductive parts from the module edges, wall thickness of the junction boxes, etc.) as well as requirements on the materials used in the module (UV- stability, temperature parameters, protection class, etc.). Certification involves checking these requirements on the basis of technical drawings and proof provided by the manufacturer. Supplementary tests may be performed in the absence of such proof. Part 2 of the IEC 61730 defines three different application classes for a module design, specifying the type of use, the related qualification tests and the resulting safety-class: - Application class A: General applications, system voltages > 50 V DC ? safety-class II - Application class B: Restricted access, system voltages > 50 V DC ? safety-class 0 - Application class C: Low-voltage applications (< 50V DC and < 240 W) ? protection class III Depending on the desired application class, safety-relevant tests are conducted according to the illustrated testing tree. Tests are performed both on complete solar modules (with and without frames) and on individual module components (junction box, bac