Time Domain Reflectometry has been used for diagnostic monitoring of a large size photovoltaic (PV) plant in operating conditions. By analysing the waveforms obtained when a step-voltage excitation is propagated down the electrical line connecting the PV generators to the inverter, we were able to detect, identify and localise the most common fault conditions, such as breaks of the circuit, insulation defects, wiring anomalies. Best compromise between analysis time and precision was achieved by testing groups of three paralleled strings (panels): in this way we were able to detect in a short time whether a fault was present, while its position was separately determined with a good precision by repeating the test on the single strings. The whole 1 MW PV plant was tested in a couple of days. Finally, we discuss some economical aspects of this fault finding technique.
fault detection in a photovoltaic field by time domain reflectometry / Schirone, Luigi; Califano, F. P.; Pastena, M.. - In: PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS. - ISSN 1062-7995. - 2:(1994), pp. 35-44.
fault detection in a photovoltaic field by time domain reflectometry
SCHIRONE, Luigi;
1994
Abstract
Time Domain Reflectometry has been used for diagnostic monitoring of a large size photovoltaic (PV) plant in operating conditions. By analysing the waveforms obtained when a step-voltage excitation is propagated down the electrical line connecting the PV generators to the inverter, we were able to detect, identify and localise the most common fault conditions, such as breaks of the circuit, insulation defects, wiring anomalies. Best compromise between analysis time and precision was achieved by testing groups of three paralleled strings (panels): in this way we were able to detect in a short time whether a fault was present, while its position was separately determined with a good precision by repeating the test on the single strings. The whole 1 MW PV plant was tested in a couple of days. Finally, we discuss some economical aspects of this fault finding technique.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.