IEC TS 63163:2021旨在适用于户外运行的用户应用的地面模块，比符合IEC 61215要求的模块短。合格模块的使用寿命取决于其设计、环境和运行条件。本文件将这些光伏组件分为1类、2类和3类，分别具有低、中和高预期户外暴露。本规范旨在鉴定这些设备的PV部分。然而，它可以用作测试此类光伏组件的基础，但不符合电子部分的要求。测试顺序的目的是确定模块的电气、热和机械耐久性特征，并表明模块能够承受指定为“低”、“中”和“高”的不同户外持续时间的户外暴露。 移动和连接应用被认为需要比便携式应用更低的机械耐久性，后者更容易发生机械损坏。

IEC TS 63163:2021 is intended to apply to terrestrial modules for consumer applications for outdoor operation shorter than those qualified to IEC 61215. The useful service life of modules so qualified depends on their design, their environment and the conditions under which they are operated. This document classes those PV modules into Category 1, Category 2, and Category 3 with respectively low, medium and high expected outdoor exposure. This specification is intended to qualify the PV portion of these devices. It may, however, be used as a basis for testing such PV modules, but does not qualify the electronic portion. The purpose of the test sequence is to determine the electrical, thermal, and mechanical durability characteristics of the module, and to show that the module is capable of withstanding outdoor exposure for different outdoor durations designated as “low”, “medium”, and “high”. Mobile and attached applications are considered to require lower mechanical durability than portable applications, which are more prone to mechanical damage.