Are you a manufacturer of electrical arc detection systems for photovoltaic installations?

Photovoltaic installations may cause fire outbreaks due to the occurrence of electrical arcs, primarily resulting from:

• Degradation of connection cables
• Aging of connectors
• Insulation faults

An automatic fail-safe activation within photovoltaic systems upon arc detection aims to prevent ignition or fire propagation. To comply with this technical specification, electrical arc detection solutions must autonomously and automatically perform the following three functions:

1. Detect the presence of electric arcs
2. Secure the installation by reducing voltage to stop the arc
3. Indicate full or partial fail-safe status

Through laboratory testing, we verify the quality of your products in a transparent and impartial manner. Our testing protocols adapt continuously to emerging technologies. Our expert engineers have drafted a comprehensive technical specification defining requirements, performance criteria, and test methods for electrical arc detection systems used in photovoltaic installations.

To conform to this technical specification, the system must satisfy the following requirements:

• Detection requirements
• Performance requirements for safety assessment
• Design requirements for safety signalling
• Supervision system design requirements
• Robustness against cyber-attacks (optional)
• Enclosures' protective design requirements
• Marking and documentation requirements

The following standards were instrumental in drafting this specification:

• NF C 15-100 – Low-voltage electrical installation design
• EN 62852 – Connectors for photovoltaic systems
• UTE C 15-103 – Selection of electrical equipment (including wiring) based on external influences
• NF C 18-510 – Electrical risk prevention
• UTE C 15-712 – Photovoltaic installations
• UTE C 15-105 – Determination of conductor sections and selection of protective devices – Practical methods
• UTE C 32-502 – Guide for cables used in photovoltaic systems
• UTE C 57-300 – Descriptive parameters of a photovoltaic system
• UTE C 57-310 – Direct solar-to-electric energy conversion
• IEC 6123 – Safety guide for building-integrated PV systems
• IEC 60364-7-712 – Special installations and locations – Photovoltaic and solar supplies
• EN 61173 – Overvoltage protection for photovoltaic energy systems
• EN 60529 / A2 (May 2014) – Degrees of protection (IP) provided by enclosures
• EN 62262 (April 2004) + A1 (October 2021) – Degrees of protection (IK) against mechanical impacts
• EN IEC 62109-2:2011 – Safety of power converters in photovoltaic systems – Part 2: Particular requirements for inverters
• NF EN IEC 63027 2023/06 – Photovoltaic systems – Detection and interruption of arc faults in DC circuits

This certification recognizes the performance and reliability of your DVRs electrical arc detection systems for photovoltaic installations in France and internationally. It is based on a technical specification drafted by our laboratory’s expert engineers and guarantees quality recognized by security professionals.

Certification is granted following laboratory tests, accompanied by a detailed evaluation report that documents the results of inspections, tests, and measurements, confirming the DVR’s compliance with the technical specification.

• Enhanced Confidence: Certification assures your clients that the DVR has undergone rigorous testing and meets defined requirements. 
• Quality Assurance: Certification represents a mark of quality, ensuring a reliable and high-performance system, reducing long-term maintenance and replacement costs. 
• Market Differentiation: Your product stands out from competitors, increasing market share. 

For any inquiries regarding product certification, we are available to assist.
Contact us! Certify your photovoltaic electrical arc detection systems to demonstrate the quality of your products with CNPP Certified.