Installation tester for photovoltaic systems and curve tracer BENNING PV 2

• testing in compliance with DIN EN 62446 (VDE 0126-23) and DIN EN 61829 (VDE 0126-24)
• easy – operation by means of keys with AUTO testing procedure
• quick – testing within seconds
• safe – contacting via PV connectors

Before commissioning and for periodic inspections, a photovoltaic system must be tested and documented with regard to its perfectly safe technical condition in compliance with DIN EN 62446 (VDE 0126-23). Moreover, electrical measurements are also useful after cleaning and maintenance work in order to continue to ensure an optimum and low-loss functioning of the PV system.

The test includes continuity testing of earth connections, measurement of the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current as well as insulating resistance measurement between active conductors (+/-) and earth. The BENNING PV 2 is provided with contact-protected PV measuring leads for direct connection to all PV modules/ strings by means of standardized PV connectors. The automatic testing procedure gives a warning in case of wrong DC polarity and automatically performs all necessary steps for a safe measurement.

On-site measurement of the current-voltage characteristic in compliance with DIN EN 62446 (VDE 0126-23) is a practical method for assessing the performance of photovoltaic systems. The measured I-V characteristics are converted to standard test conditions (STC) using evaluation tools such as the PC software BENNING SOLAR Manager and the Android app BENNING PV Link and can be compared with the nominal PV module data of the manufacturer via an integrated PV module database. Deviations and reduced performance are clearly identified and can be documented correspondingly. Furthermore, the shape of the I-V characteristic provides useful information on the status of a PV system and indicates possible errors.

The BENNING PV 2 allows to carry out the entire test safely, reliably, easily and quickly. The BENNING PV 2 is recommended for daily use by service, cleaning and maintenance teams as well as for solar panel installers and authorized experts for photovoltaics.

Features

• clear and unambiguous display of all measurement results
• safe measurement connection, even if the photovoltaic system is delivering energy
• automatic test procedures for curve measurement with or without RISO testing
• indication of Uo/c, Umpp, Is/c, Impp, filling factor (FF) and RISO with “PASS/FAIL” indication
• insulation measurement with testing voltages of 250 V, 500 V and 1000 V
• separate insulating resistance measurement via 4 mm measuring leads for tests of PV cables etc.
• automatic testing procedure (open-circuit voltage 1000 V DC, short-circuit current 15 A DC, insulating resistance)
• automatic display of voltage polarity with audio/ visual warning for reverse polarity
• null balance of the measuring leads
• measured values memory for 999 display indications (PV strings)
• USB interface and download software BENNING SOLAR Datalogger for downloading measured values in CSV format
• equipped with an integrated real-time clock which automatically adds a date / time stamp to each storage process or storage location
• Radio connection to the optional insolation and temperature measuring instrument BENNING SUN 2
• download software for the preparation of test certificates in MS Excel
• ISO measuring result with “pass / fail” information
• direct connection to all standard photovoltaic modules with MC4 or „Sunclix“ connectors
• easy operation for network-independently and mobile testing
• LC display with background lighting
• automatic switch-off (individually adjustable from 1 to 10 minutes)
• tests can refer to PV modules, PV strings or the entire PV system.
• optional PC software BENNING SOLAR Manager (item no. 050423) for the creation of test reports and documentation of characteristics
• free app BENNING PV Link (requires Android device with NFC)

Measuring functions

• protective earth conductor resistance measurement with test current of 200 mA
• open-circuit voltage measurement (Uo/c) of the solar modules or PV strings up to 1000 V DC
• short-circuit current measurement (Is/c) via an internal circuit up to 15 A DC without any danger for the user
• insulating resistance measurement between the shorted DC conductors (+/-) and earthing with adjustable test voltage (250 V, 500 V, 1000 V)
• separate two-pole insulating resistance measurement via 4 mm measuring line up to 300 MOhms
• measurement of the current-voltage characteristic (I-V) and the power characteristic (P-V)
• indication of voltage (Umpp), current (Impp) at the maximum power point (mpp) and filling factor (FF)
• functional test via current measurement up to 40 A AC / DC (by means of current clamp adapter BENNING CC 3, item no. 044038)
• the BENNING PV 2 is able to receive the measured values (insolation, PV module / ambient temperature and date / time stamp) of the insolation and temperature measuring instrument BENNING SUN 2 (optional, item no. 050420) via radio connection

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).

BENNING SOLAR Manager (optional PC software)

• The PC software BENNING SOLAR Manager used with the BENNING PV 2 allows the creation of test reports and documentation in compliance with the standards DIN EN 62446 (VDE 0126-23) and DIN EN 61829 (VDE 0126-24). 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 (050423).

BENNING SOLAR Datalogger (download software)

• download of measured values from the BENNING PV 2 in CSV format
• further processing of measured values possible in MS Excel^®
• available free of charge as download

BENNING PV Link app

• requires Android devices with NFC interface
• presentation of the measured I-V (current-voltage) characteristic and of the P-V (power-voltage) characteristic in a curve diagram
• conversion to standard test conditions (STC) and comparison with the nominal characteristic specified by the PV module manufacturer via an integrated PV module database
• documentation of the performance data of the PV generator indicating Pmpp, Uo/c, Umpp, Is/c, Impp, filling factor, temperature and insolation
• photo function for the documentation of material defects and identification of the measuring point
• curve data can be stored for each project and can be exported as PDF test report via e-mail
• available free of charge for the BENNING PV 2 in the Android Playstore

• transport/ storage case
• measuring leads with probe tip (L = 1.2 m, red/black)
• crocodile clips (red/black)
• PV measuring leads for MC4 connector (red/black)
• PV measuring leads for Sunclix connector (red/black)
• download software
• micro USB cable
• 6 x 1.5 batteries type AA (IEC LR6)

Perfectly complemented by

For complete measurement and documentation of PV strings and PV modules in compliance with the applicable standards, we recommend the following optional accessories:

• Insolation and temperature measuring instrument BENNING SUN 2 (050420)
  The BENNING PV 2 is able to receive the measured values (insolation, PV module / ambient temperature) of the insolation and temperature measuring instrument BENNING SUN 2 via radio connection. The measured values are required for the measurement of an I-V characteristic. For this purpose, the BENNING PV 2 has to be coupled with the BENNING SUN 2 once.
• PC software BENNING SOLAR Manager (050423)
  The PC software used with the BENNING PV 2 allows the creation of test reports and documentation in compliance with the standards DIN EN 62446 (VDE 0126-23) and DIN EN 61829 (VDE 0126-24). 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.
• temperature sensor with suction cup for BENNING SUN 2 for attachment to the rear of the PV module (050424)
• PV module holder for BENNING SUN 2 for safe attachment to the PV module (050425)
• AC/DC current clamp adapter BENNING CC 3 (044038)
  For being connected to the BENNING PV 2. The measured AC/DC current values can be stored in the memory of the BENNING PV 2 and can be recalled.
• BENNING TA 5 40 m measuring lead, winder and strap, for the measurement of protective and bonding conductors, connection via 4 mm safety socket/ plug (044039)
• test badges „next test“, 300 pieces (756212)
• bag with neck strap for BENNING PV 2 (050426), allows hands-free working on measuring points that are dangerous or difficult to access

Further information on accessories can be found at "Accessories for PV measuring instruments".

Technical changes, model or color modifications, mistakes and delivery facilities without notice! No responsibility for literal mistakes.

* Modern PV modules can have high capacities due to their technology. These generate a high discharge current when the short-circuit measuring circuit is connected, which can exceed the maximum rated current in the PV panel data sheet many times over. Before carrying out the short-circuit current measurement, the PV 2 checks whether the measurement can be carried out safely. If the capacitance is too high, the PV 2 cancels the measurement with the message HiSc or HiCu.