BS EN IEC 61701:2020

What is BS EN IEC 61701 about? 

BS EN IEC 61701 describes test sequences useful to determine the resistance of different PV modules to corrosion from salt mist containing Cl (NaCl, MgCl2, etc.). All tests included in the sequences are fully described in IEC 61215-2, IEC 62108, IEC 61730-2 and IEC 60068-2-52. 

BS EN IEC 61701 modifies the bypass diode functionality test from its description in IEC 61215-2 and they are combined here to evaluate possible faults caused in PV modules. Guidance for determining the applicability of this document and selecting an appropriate method is provided in Annex A. 

Note 1: BS EN IEC 61701 can be applied to both flat-plate PV modules and concentrator PV modules and assemblies.  

Note 2: Depending on the specific nature of the surrounding atmosphere to which the module is exposed in real operation several testing methods can be applied. 

Who is BS EN IEC 61701 for? 

BS EN IEC 61701 on salt mist corrosion test of photovoltaic modules is useful for: 

• Manufacturers and suppliers of photovoltaic (PV) devices 
• Dealers and importers of photovoltaic (PV) devices 
• Testing houses/ service providers of photovoltaic (PV) devices 
• Entities dealing with photovoltaic (PV) devices 

Why should you use BS EN IEC 61701? 

Photovoltaic (PV) modules are electrical devices normally intended for continuous outdoor exposure during their lifetime.  

BS EN IEC 61701 informs you about the various test procedures to evaluate the salt mist corrosion that can be caused in photovoltaic modules as they can be situated in highly corrosive wet atmospheres, such as marine environments or locations near the ocean or other large bodies of saltwater. This can lead to the gradual degradation of some of the PV module components and can cause permanent degradation that could impair their functioning.  

BS EN IEC 61701 gives you methods to determine the resistance of various PV modules to corrosion from the salt mist, which helps you to select and apply the appropriate PV module. You can select the modules based on the need to avoid and eliminate the problems such as, corrosion of metallic parts, deterioration of the properties of some non-metallic materials like protective coatings and plastics by assimilation of salts, etc. 

Thus, users of BS EN IEC 61701 can benefit in choosing the right element for a particular photovoltaic module, according to its placement in certain environmental conditions. This is important in industrial environments such as PV module production facilities, and for testing in the PV modules production field.  

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN IEC 61701:2020 supersedes BS EN IEC 61701:2011, which is withdrawn. 

The main technical changes with respect to the previous edition are as follows: 

• The scope has been updated to better reflect the applicability of the Standard. 
• Test methods and requirements have been condensed and aligned with the new editions of IEC 61215-1, IEC 61215-2, and IEC 61730-2. References to crystalline silicon versus thin-film technologies have been eliminated. The old Figure 2 on the thin film test sequence has been eliminated. 
• The salt mist test references have been updated to harmonize with changes to IEC 60068-2-52. 
• A normative Annex A has been added to provide guidance on which of the test methods in IEC 60068-2-52 are applicable to different applications. This includes references to new test methods in the latest edition of IEC 60068-2-52.