BS IEC 62548:2016 sets out design requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays
including DC array wiring, electrical protection devices, switching and earthing provisions. The
scope includes all parts of the PV array up to but not including energy storage devices, power
conversion equipment or loads. An exception is that provisions relating to power conversion
equipment are covered only where DC safety issues are involved. The interconnection of
small DC conditioning units intended for connection to PV modules are also included.The object of this document is to address the design safety requirements arising from the
particular characteristics of photovoltaic systems. Direct current systems, and PV arrays in
particular, pose some hazards in addition to those derived from conventional AC power
systems, including the ability to produce and sustain electrical arcs with currents that are not
greater than normal operating currents.In grid connected systems, the safety requirements of this document are however critically
dependent on the inverters associated with PV arrays complying with the requirements of
IEC 62109-1 and IEC 62109-2.Installation requirements are also critically dependent on compliance with the
IEC 60364 series (see Clause 4).PV arrays of less than 100 W and less than 35 V DC open circuit voltage at STC are not
covered by this document.PV arrays in grid connected systems connected to medium or high voltage systems are not
covered in this document. Variations and additional requirements for large-scale ground
mounted PV power plants with restricted access to personnel will also be addressed in
IEC TS 627381.Additional requirements may be needed for more specialized installations, for example
concentrating systems, tracking systems or building integrated PV.The present international standard also includes extra protection requirements of PV arrays
when they are directly connected with batteries at the DC level.Cross References:IEC 60228IEC 60269-6IEC 60287IEC 60364-1IEC 60364-4IEC 60364-4-41:2005IEC 60364-5IEC 60364-5-52IEC 60364-5-54IEC 60364-6IEC 60445:2010IEC 60529IEC 60898-2IEC 60947IEC 60947-1IEC 60947-2IEC 60947-3IEC 61215IEC 61557-2IEC 61557-8IEC 61643-21IEC 61643-22IEC 61730-1IEC 61730-2IEC 62109-1:2010IEC 62109-2IEC 62305-2IEC 62305-3IEC 62446-1IEC 62852IEC 62930EN 50539-11IEC 60050-151:2001IEC 60050-195:1998IEC 60050-442:1998IEC 60050-461:2008IEC 60050-811:1991IEC 60050-826:2004IEC 60269-1IEC 60364-5-53IEC 60904-2:2015IEC 60904-3:2016IEC 61008-1:2010IEC 61643-322IEC 61829IEC TS 61836:2007IEC 62246-1:2015IEC 62305IEC 62305-4IEC TS 62738IEC 630274EN 50618UL 1699BUL 4703All current amendments available at time of purchase are included with the purchase of this document.