Testing of PV systems in compliance with EN 62446 and EN 61829

With their range of PV measuring instruments, BENNING covers various fields of application.

commissioning tests and periodic inspection
performance assessment
testing with 1500 V technology
quick and professional testing
easy operation

The range includes photovoltaic installation testers, photovoltaic installation tester and curve tracers, insolation and temperature measuring instruments as well as photovoltaic testers, digital current clamps and digital multimeters for applications with high system voltages of up to 1500 V and is completed by other accessories.

Photovoltaic Installation Tester BENNING PV 2

for standard-compliant commissioning tests, periodic inspection and performance assessment of PV systems
testing in compliance with EN 62446 and EN 61829
scope of services of the photovoltaic installation tester BENNING PV 1-1+
easy – operation by means of keys with AUTO test procedure
quick – testing within a few seconds only
safe – contacting via PV connectors
measured value memory for 999 PV string tests
wireless connection to the insolation and temperature measuring instrument BENNING SUN 2

The scope of delivery includes a transport case, measuring lines, MC4 and Sunclix measuring leads, batteries, alligator clips, download software, a micro-USB cable and a calibration certificate.

Photovoltaic Installation Tester BENNING PV 2

The BENNING PV 2 installation tester for photovoltaic systems when testing a PV generator

Current situation in the market

The technology of photovoltaic modules and the structure of PV strings has changed significantly in recent years. In addition to the higher performance and efficiency of the panels, cell technology and module architecture have also changed. High-performance PV modules of the latest module technology are largely based on the N-type topology. These have the desired high efficiencies (>20 %), but have high intrinsic capacities. These intrinsic capacitances are not specified by module manufacturers. The transient short-circuit currents (_{Isc_cap}) occurring in the short-circuit test can exceed the short-circuit current specified in the PV module data sheet many times over and cannot be measured with normal ammeters / current clamps due to the short discharge time.

Due to the circuit design, the BENNING PV 2 limits the peak current. However, the connected power / energy (due to the module capacitance, the transient short-circuit current and the string voltage) significantly exceeds the characteristic values of the tester.

Measuring channels:

C1 = String voltage (500V)
C2 = Short-circuit current reference (max. 135A)
C3 = Short-circuit current (max. 139.7A)
F1 = Function C1*C3 for power calculation (max. 61kW)

The BENNING PV 2 from model year 2024 are equipped with a pre-test to determine the capacitive energy of the string for self-protection against excessive current peaks. If the BENNING PV 2 detects a string with excessive intrinsic capacitance, the measurement is aborted with the error message HiSc or HiCu (>15.00 A).

Measurement of a 500V string with current modules with short cable length

PC Software BENNING SOLAR Manager

We also recommend using the optional PC software BENNING SOLAR Manager. The PC software used with the BENNING PV 2 allows the creation of test reports as well as documentation in compliance with the standards EN 62446 and EN 61829. The measured I-V characteristics and power characteristics of the BENNING PV 2 can be converted to standard test conditions (STC) and can be compared with the manufacturer’s nominal specifications via an integrated PV module database.

PC-Software BENNING SOLAR Manager

Screenshot from the BENNING SOLAR Manager Application — BENNING SOLAR Manager

Photovoltaic Installation Tester BENNING PV 1-1+

for standard-compliant commissioning tests and periodic inspection of PV systems
testing in compliance with EN 62446
easy – operation by means of keys
quick – testing within a few seconds only
safe – contacting via PV connectors
measured value memory for 200 PV string tests
wireless connection to the insolation and temperature measuring instrument BENNING SUN 2

The scope of delivery includes a transport case, measuring lines, MC4 and Sunclix measuring leads, batteries, alligator clips, download software, a micro-USB cable and a calibration certificate.

Photovoltaic Installation Tester BENNING PV 1-1+

Photovoltaic Tester BENNING PV 3

testing of solar parks, power plants and large installations with 1500 V technology
testing in compliance with EN 62446
open-circuit voltage measurement of PV modules/PV strings and PV fields of up to 1500 V
powerful short-circuit current measurement of PV strings of up to 40 A connected in parallel
wireless connection to the insolation and temperature measuring instrument BENNING SUN 2
measured value memory for 999 PV string tests

The scope of delivery includes the PV tester in a robust protective case (IP 64), MC4 measuring leads, set of measuring lines with test probes and alligator clips, battery charger with 3 pieces of 3.7 V lithium-ion batteries and calibration certificate.

Photovoltaic Tester BENNING PV 3

Insolation and Temperature Measuring Instrument BENNING SUN 2

Ideal for the planning, commissioning tests and periodic inspection of grid-connected PV systems in compliance with EN 62446 as well as for testing solar thermal systems.

insolation measurement (W/m2) for PV systems according to EN 62446 and solar thermal systems
wireless connection to BENNING PV 2, BENNING PV 1-1, BENNING PV 3
data logger for 5000 display indications

The scope of delivery includes the case, protective rubber holster, module / ambient temperature sensor, batteries, USB cable, download software and calibration certificate.

Insolation and Temperature Measuring Instrument BENNING SUN 2

PV Current Clamp Meter BENNING CM 10-PV

For precise and safe measurements on PV systems with 1500 V technology and for all demanding measuring tasks in industry, trade and service.

ideal for photovoltaic systems and applications with high system voltages
PV measuring input of 1500 V AC/ 2000 V DC
Bluetooth^® interface and “BENNING MM-CM Link” app
data logger and memory function
microampere and temperature measuring range for HVAC technology
precise thanks to TRUE RMS measuring method

The scope of delivery includes the BENNING TA PV measuring adapter, a set of measuring leadsand alligator clips, wire-type temperature sensor and protective pouch.

PV Current Clamp Meter BENNING CM 10-PV

Digital current clamp meter BENNING CM 10-PV — Digital Current Clamp Meters BENNING CM 10-PV - front view

PV Multimeter BENNING MM 10-PV

For precise and safe measurements on PV systems with 1500 V technology and for all demanding measuring tasks in industry, trade and service.

ideal for photovoltaic systems and applications with high system voltages
PV measuring input of 1500 V AC/ 2000 V DC
Bluetooth^® interface and “BENNING MM-CM Link” app
data logger and memory function
precise thanks to TRUE RMS measuring method

The scope of delivery includes the BENNING TA PV measuring adapter, a set of measuring leads and alligator clips, wire-type temperature sensor and protective pouch.