BENNING PV 2 Photovoltaic Tester Instruction Manual

Short Instructions
BENNING PV 2

Important information

Before using the BENNING PV 2 please read the detailed operating manual (http://tms.benning.de/pv2) carefully.
The BENNING PV 2 should only be used by suitably trained personnel.
The connection to the PV generator is made exclusively in accordance with the connection figure of the operating manual.
Disconnect not required tests leads from the BENNING PV 2.
Before the measurement disconnected the PV generator from the PV inverter!The PV string under test must not exceed the maximum open-circuit voltage of 1000 V, the maximum short-circuit current of 15 A and the maximum DC power (P = Uoc x Isc) of 10 kW.
The measurements are to be carried out on the individual PV string!
It must be ensured that all switching devices and isolating devices are open and that all PV strings are isolated from each other.
Only test a single PV string, never test multiple strings and beware of parallel connections! High levels of capacitance within the circuit under test can cause high currents to flow and may damage the test instrument.
The PV generator may not contain any power optimisers. In the event of a short circuit, power optimisers can generate transient current peaks that significantly exceed the specified short-circuit current (Isc) of the PV generator.
Non-observiance will result in damage to the BENNING PV 2!
Disconnect the BENNING PV 2 from the test sample directly after the test.
Do not touch the measuring probes! During insulating resistance measurements, high electric currents might be applied to the measuring probes.
Do not touch any metal parts of the test object during measurement.
The PV generator must be isolated from the electric power supply!
Neither the positive nor the negative pole of the PV generator must be earthed!
Via the 4 mm test leads, voltage measurements on mains supply circuits are possible. Via the 4 mm test sockets, the BENNING PV 2 must be used only in electric circuits of overvoltage category III with max. 300 V AC/DC for phase- to-earth measurements. For this please disconnect the PV 2 PV measuring leads from the PV test sockets before measuring.
Before starting the unit, always check it for signs of damage. Do not use a damaged BENNING PV 2!
Only use measuring leads, which are supplied with the BENNING PV 2.
The BENNING PV 2 is intended for making measurements under dry ambient conditions only.

Switching the device ON/OFF

Press the -key 4 and the -key 5 simultaneously to switch the device ON or OFF. Without pressing a key, the device switches OFF automatically after approx. 1 minute (APO, Auto Power-Off). The switch-off time can be set within a range from 1 min. to 10 min. (see operating manual on http://tms.benning.de/pv2).

Device description

1.  LC Display
2. key, protective conductor test
3. -key, automatic test procedure
4. -key, insulation test (2-pin)
5. -key, selecting the test procedures
6. -key, null balance of the measuring line
7. -key, selecting the ISO testing voltage
8. -key, calling measured values
9. -key, switch-over of LC display
10. -Taste, storing measured values
11. + PV test socket (red)
12. – PV test socket (black)
13. – 4 mm test socket (black)
14. + 4 mm test socket (red)

AUTO measurement of the PV generator

1. Carefully read and understand all safety notes under point 1. “Important information”.

2. Connect the BENNING PV 2 to the PV generator as shown, by means of the enclosed PV measuring leads and the red 4 mm test lead.

3. The open-circuit voltage (Vo/c) is automatically displayed.

4. In case of reversed polarity of the DC voltage, the symbol is displayed 1 and the measurement will be blocked.

5. Press the -key 5 to select the desired test procedure (modes 1 – 2):
   a Measuring Vo/c, Is/c and MΩ
   b Measuring the I-V characteristic with Vmpp, Impp and FF (filling factor)
   c Measuring a + b
   d Measuring via AC/DC current clamp

6. Press the -key 7 to select an ISO testing voltage of 250 V, 500 V or 1.000 V.

7. Press the -key 3 to start the test procedure.

8. As soon as the test procedure is completed, “Store?” will be indicated on the LC display 1.

9. Press the -key 10 to store the measured values.

Uoc x Isc ≤ 10 kW
Max.: Isc = 15 A, Uoc = 1000 V,
P = 10 kW
Disconnect all poles of the PV generator from the inverter before testing!
Only test a single PV string, never test multiple strings and beware of parallel connections! High levels of capacitance within the circuit under test can cause high currents to flow and may damage the test instrument.
The PV generator may not contain any power optimisers!
Note:
The red 4 mm measuring lead is required for the insulation resistance measurement.
Measurement of the I-V characteristic requires previous coupling to the BENNING SUN 2.

Null balance of the measuring leads, resistance (R PE )

1. Connect the measuring leads to the red and black 4 mm test sockets of the BENNING PV 2.
2. Short-circuit the probe tips via the alligator clips.
3. Press and hold the  -key 6 until an acoustic signal sounds and the -sym-bol is displayed 1.
4. The Null-value is stored when unit is switched off.
5. To disable, press -key 6 until the  -symbol is removed from LC display 1.

Note:
Max. measuring lead resistance: 10 Ohm

Protective conductor resistance (RPE)

1. Connect the 4 mm measuring leads as shown.
2. To make a single measurement (2 sec.), press and release the -key 2.
3. To make a continuous measurement, press and hold the -key 2 until the symbol is displayed 1 continuously.
4. Press the -key 2 to terminate the continuous measurement.
5. Press the -key 10 to store the measured values.

Option:
40 m measuring leads BENNING TA 5 part no. 044039

Insulating resistance (RISO, 2-pin)

1. Connect the 4 mm measuring leads as shown in the figure.

2. Press the -key 7 to select an ISO testing voltage of 250 V, 500 V or 1.000 V.

3. For single measurement (2 sec.), press and release the -key 4.
   For continuous measurement, press and hold the -key 4 for several seconds until the symbol is shown on the LC display 1.

4. Press the -key 4 to terminate the continuous measurement.

5. Press the -key 10 to store the measured values.

Option:
40 m measuring leads BENNING TA 5 part no. 044039

AC/DC current measurement

1. Disconnect all measuring leads from the BENNING PV 2.
2. Connect the BENNING CC 3 (option) current clamp adapter to the 4 mm test sockets.
3. Select the 40 A range on the BENNING CC 3.
4. Press the null balance key (ZERO) of the BENNING CC 3 for approx. 2 seconds.
5. Press the -key 5 to select the desired mode d of the BENNING PV 2. The symbol is shown on the LC display 1.
6. The AC/DC current can be measured in single-wire live conductor.
7. Press the -key J to store the measured values.

Option:
BENNING CC 3 part no. 044038

AC/DC voltage measurement

1. Disconnect the PV measuring leads from the BENNING PV 2.
2. Connect the red and black safety measuring lead as pictured.
3. The BENNING PV 2 automatically measures the AC/DC voltage at the measuring probes.
4. The polarity of the DC voltage is displayed by “+/-“. In case of AC voltage, “+/-“ will be displayed alternately.
5. Press the -key 10 to store the measured values.

Max.
CAT III 400 V ****

Measured value memory

(999 display screens)

Vo/c, Is/c to Vmpp, Impp.

Downloading the measured value memory to the PC

1. Install the BENNING SOLAR data logger and driver from http://tms.benning.de/pv2.
2. Disconnect all measuring leads from the BENNING PV 2.
3. Connect the BENNING PV 2 to your PC by means of the USB connecting cable.
4. Start the PC software, select the COM port and click “Download”.
5. Switch on the BENNING PV 2, press the -key 8 and hold the -key 8 again for approx. 2 seconds to start the download.
6. Open the measured value file in the CSV format via MS Excel®.

Note:
The optional PC software BENNING SOLAR Manager (part no. 050423) allows documentation according to DIN EN 62446 (VDE 0126-23) as well as representation of the I-V characteristic according to DIN EN 61829 (VDE 0126-24).

Radio connection to the BENNING SUN 2

The BENNING PV 2 is able to receive the measured values (insolation, PV module / ambient temperature and date / time stamp) of the optional BENNING SUN 2 (part no. 050420) via radio connection.
Typical radio range in open space: approx. 30 m Coupling with BENNING SUN 2

1. Remove all electronic devices in direct vicinity
2. Switch the BENNING PV 2 and the BENNING SUN 2 off.
3. Press and hold the two ON/OFF keys of the BENNING SUN 2.
4. Press and simultaneously hold the -key 4 and the -key 5 of the BENNING PV 2.
5. The BENNING PV 2 indicates the successful coupling by means of an acoustic signal and by displaying the serial no. of the BENNING SUN 2 6. The “W/m2 ” symbol is shown on the LC display 1 of the BENNING PV 2.

Decoupling from BENNING SUN 2

1. Remove all electronic devices in direct vicinity.
2. Switch the BENNING PV 2 off.
3. Press and hold the -key 4 and the -key 5 of the BENNING PV 2 for approx. 10 seconds.
4. The BENNING PV 2 indicates the decoupling from the BENNING SUN 2 by means of an acoustic signal and by clearing the LC display.
5. The “R PE /Ω” symbol is shown on the LC display 1 of the BENNING PV 2.

Activating/deactivating the radio transmission of the BENNING SUN 2

1. Couple the BENNING PV 2 with the BENNING SUN 2.
2. To activate/deactivate the radio transmission, press and hold the -key of the BENNING SUN 2 and simultaneously press the -key. A flashing triangle is shown on the LC display.
3. The BENNING PV 2 receives the measured values as soon as the insolation (W/m²) is shown on the LC display 1.
4. AUTO measurement (modes 1 – 3) additional stores the temperature values and the date/time stamp of the BENNING SUN 2.
5. If the BENNING PV 2 is outside the radio range of the BENNING SUN 2, the “W/m2 ” on the LC display 1 starts flashing. Moreover, “ ” is shown on the LC display, if the measured insolation value is outside the measuring range.

Note:
If the BENNING PV 2 does not receive any radio signal from the BENNING SUN 2, the display indications are stored with the date/time stamp of the BENNING PV 2.

Representing the I-V characteristic via the “BENNING PV Link” app

Requirements: NFC-enabled Android device
The app allows the user to represent and to compare the measured I-V characteristic and the power characteristic with the nominal module data of the manufacturer under STC conditions.
Please read the detailed operating manual of the BENNING PV 2 and of the “ BENNING PV Link” first (http://tms.benning.de/pv2).

1. The NFC chip required for this functionality is located under the NFC logo on the top of the BENNING PV 2 housing.
2. Upon completion of each test procedure (modes 2 + 3) as well as after calling a storage location via the -key 8 and pressing the -key 9, the I-V charac- teristic is written to the NFC chip.
3. The I-V characteristic can be read and represented via an Android device with NFC functionality.

Measuring ranges and limiting values

Setting the date and time

1. Turn off the BENNING PV 2.

2. Press and hold the -key 8 and then press simultaneously the -key 4 and the -key 5 of BENNING PV 2.

3. The date format and time format is shown as follows:
   MM.DD = month (1-12). Day (1-31)
   YYYY = year
   HH.mm = hours (0-23).minutes (0-59)
   SS = seconds (0-59)

4. Press the -key 2 to select a date field and time field

5. A blinking field shows that this field can be set.

6. With the -key 10 and the -key 8, the value increases or decreases. With each change, the second field is set to zero.

7. Turn off the device to save the setting.

Note:
If the BENNING PV 2 has established a radio connection to the BENNING SUN 2, the date/ time of the BENNING PV 2 will be synchronized automatically after 10 seconds to the date/ time of the BENNING SUN 2, if the device detects a deviation of more than 1 minute. BENNING SUN 2 (master) → BENNING PV 2 (slave).

Error codes

admissible temperature. Disconnect the BENNING PV 2 from the object to be measured and let it cool down.
| The DC short-circuit current has the maximum value of 15 A.
The measurement has been stopped.
| The DC open circuit voltage has exceeded the maximum value of 1000 V. The measurement has been stopped.
| The DC power has exceeded the maximum value of 10 kW. Measurement has been cancelled.
| Immediately disconnect the BENNING PV 2 from the PV generator! Please return it to an authorized service center (see the detailed operating manual for the address).
| Please return the BENNING PV 2 to an authorized service center (see the detailed operating manual for the address).
| Please return the BENNING PV 2 to an authorized service center (see the detailed operating manual for the address).
| Please return the BENNING PV 2 to an authorized service center (see the detailed operating manual for the address).
| Please return the BENNING PV 2 to an authorized service center (see the detailed operating manual for the address).
| Please return the BENNING PV 2 to an authorized service center (see the detailed operating manual for the address).
| Please return the BENNING PV 2 to an authorized service center.
| Storage has failed. Please store the measured values again to the next storage location available.
| Storage to the NFC chip has failed. Please remove the NFC-enabled device from the  BENNING PV 2.

Other error codes see detailed operating manual (http://tms.benning.de/pv2).

Optional accessories

5269 / 03/2023
BENNING PV

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