Surge Protective Device ESPPV V T2 15/1000 Y 22121003080

Protection of photovoltaic installations against surges

ESPPV V T2 series surge arresters are designed to protect DC circuits in photovoltaic installations. The Y configuration means a setup that protects two working lines relative to a common reference point - a standard solution for photovoltaic strings generating voltages in the range of several hundred volts.

The maximum PV installation voltage of 1020 V DC allows for the use of this arrester in larger photovoltaic farms. The rated discharge current of 15 kA (8/20 µs) defines the energy absorption capacity during switching operations and indirect surges occurring, for example, due to a lightning strike on nearby objects. The peak value of 40 kA is the maximum the device will pass without loss of function.

The device provides a protection level of 4 kV, which effectively reduces the peak voltage to a level safe for inverters and DC cables. The short-circuit strength of 10 kA enables survival under short-circuit conditions until the external overcurrent protection acts - up to a maximum of 160 A in both series and parallel connections.

Modular design and signaling

The device occupies 3 modules on a TH-35 mm rail (width approximately 54 mm) - a standard format for modular devices mounted in switchgear. The protection modules are replaceable; each contains an optical indicator signaling the technical status: green means functional, red indicates module depletion and the necessity of replacement before restarting the installation.

Installation is possible in two positions on the DIN rail, providing flexibility in wire routing. The enclosure protection rating of IP20 requires installation inside a cabinet or switchgear - a typical solution for modular devices.

The cross-sections of the connected wires range from 4-35 mm² for single-core, multi-core, and flexible wires - sufficient to ensure low connection resistance and safe discharge of short-circuit current to the ground.

Continuous operation and application

ESPPV V T2 arresters are classified as type 2, which means the ability to repeatedly absorb surge energy without destruction - important during frequent inverter switching operations or changes in PV string loads.

The continuous operating voltage is selected according to the principle UCPV ≥ 1.2 × UOC STC, meaning at least 20% higher than the open-circuit voltage measured under standard test conditions of photovoltaic modules. At a rated voltage of 1000 V DC, the maximum continuous operating voltage is 1020 V DC.

The lack of integrated backup protection and a remote signaling contact simplifies the design - the decision to expand the monitoring system rests with the installer, who can, for example, implement external relays to monitor the status of individual modules.

The difference between the maximum flexible wire cross-section (25 mm²) and single-/multi-core (35 mm²) results from different standard requirements regarding terminal fastening - for larger multi-core cross-sections, ferrules or cable lugs are used, which reduce the effective contact cross-section.

The device is not intended for AC networks or TT/TN/TN-S/TN-C/TN-C-S - its domain is exclusively DC circuits, resulting from the voltage characteristics typical for photovoltaic installations.