Reliable protection

Photovoltaic energy generation is one of the fastest-growing green energy sources. Hundreds of MW of rooftop systems and utility-scale PV parks are installed every year. Best system availability and minimised OPEX (operational expenses) define the profitability of any size of system.

PV systems are directly exposed to environmental conditions due to the fact that they are always installed in extraordinary locations. Thus, the probability of being impacted by lightning is high. Unprotected PV systems suffer repeated and significant damage to their components. This results in substantial repair and replacement costs, system downtime and loss of revenue. Automation systems, monitoring components and PV inverters must be protected reliably and in line with current standards. IEC and UL standards define precisely the rules to be applied for implementing state-of-the-art PV installations.

600 V

Arrester type I and II up to 1,500 V

Type I and II protection is supported for 600 V, 1,000 V and 1,500 V systems fully compliant to latest EN / IEC standards.

0 kA

Maximum short-circuit capability

PV plants, which combine many panels in a string, are efficiently protected up to 11 kA of the prospective short-circuit current. Additional fuses for the SPD are not required.

0 m

Safe operation up to 4,000 m

PV plants, also such located in high altitude regions, are reliably protected. An additional risk analysis of deratings is not required for extraordinary locations.

VPU PV in Detail

Product range

Product innovations in the VARITECTOR PV portfolio

VPU PV I+II 5 pole – PV arresters for two MPPT in 1500 V systems Product innovation

Effective protection of photovoltaic systems against overvoltage

The new VPU PV series surge protection module has been designed to optimise protection of the inverter against overvoltage. The arrester is configured for a system voltage of 1500 V and is designed directly for the connection of 2-MPP trackers. It simplifies installation and is particularly narrow at just 5 TE. As a combination of type I and II, it can be used particularly flexibly in all areas of the system.

VPU PV I+II 5 pole – PV arresters for two MPPT in 1500 V systems
  • 5-pole variant for 2-MPP trackers
  • Particularly space-saving
  • Plug-in arresters offer easy installation and replacement
  • Combined type I and II
  • Designed for 1500 V systems

Bet on the right one!

PV systems with external lightning protection

Type II surge protection can be used, provided the sepa-ration distance is maintained (usually > 0.7 m to 1 m). If the separation distance is not maintained, a surge protection Type I for DC cabling is required.

PV systems without external lightning protection

This is a common design for which surge protection Type II must be provided for DC cabling.

The figure on the left shows the general architecture of a PV system. The table below is intended to help you select the correct surge protection products according to the specifications of applicable standards in a PV system.

L1 describes the cable length between the main distribution board and PV inverter (AC side) and L2 describes the line length between PV inverter and PV generator (DC side). With a line length > 10 m, an SPD is required on both sides by the standard.


Question 1Question 2Question 3Question 4Installation locations ACInstallation locations DC
Outdoor lightning protection system present?Separation distance observed?Line length L1 less than 10 m?Line length L2 less than 10 m?SPD 1SPD 2SPD 3SPD 4
No-NoNoTYP II ACTYP II ACTYP II PVTYP II PV
No-NoYesTYP II ACTYP II ACTYP II PV-
No-YesNoTYP II AC-TYP II PVTYP II PV
No-YesYesTYP II AC-TYP II PV-
YesYesNoNoTYP I ACTYP II ACTYP II PVTYP II PV
YesYesNoYesTYP I ACTYP II ACTYP II PV-
YesYesYesNoTYP I AC-TYP II PVTYP II PV
YesYesYesYesTYP I AC-TYP II PV-
YesNoNoNoTYP I ACTYP I ACTYP I PVTYP I PV
YesNoNoYesTYP I ACTYP I ACTYP I PV-
YesNoYesNoTYP I AC-TYP I PVTYP I PV
YesNoYesYesTYP I AC-TYP I PV-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about PV surge protection

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