Application note

Surge protective devices

OVR PV range. The toughest SPD PV range on the market.

New EN 50539-11 for photovoltaic

products

Part 11: Requirements and tests for SPDs in photovoltaic

applications.

A new standard on a developing market

A new document taking account of varied aspects of
photovoltaic generators and technologies is available,
designed EN 50539-11, to define specific surge protection to
photovoltaic installations.
According to the very specific characteristics of PV generators
and PV installations with high voltages and low DC current,
the EN 50539-11 introduces the idea of testing the
behavior of photovoltaic surge protective devices on end of Iscpv = 10 kA
life for the safety of the equipments.
The highest value on the market
PV characteristics
The following information shall be given by the manufacturer: Surge arrester OVR PV 40 600 OVR PV 40 1000 OVR PV 40 1500
– – PV symbol on the product Maximum operating Ucpv: 670 V Ucpv: 1100 V Ucpv: 1500 V
– – Ucpv maximum continuous operating voltage voltage
Short circuit current Iscpv: 300 A Iscpv: 10 kA Iscpv: 10 kA
–– In nominal discharge current (EN 50539-11)
–– Iimp or Imax depending on if it is a Type 1 or Type 2 surge Over current protection UL approved with SCCR 1000A. If continuity of service is
(UL 1449 3rd edition) preferred, an additional 10AgPV fuse is recommended.
protection
–– Up protection level at In Back-up protection for applications with Iscpv up to 10 kA (for
–– Iscpv short circuit DC current withstand. 1500 V DC and 1100 V DC), no back-up needed.
Only SPDs with the above declared characteristics and
with their conformity declaration are suitable for photovoltaic
installations. OVR PV range from ABB has been specifically developed
Using a surge protection not conform to such specific for photovoltaic applications.
application on DC photovoltaic installations shall result in fire To avoid the disconnecting problem at the end of life
and equipment damages. of the product on specific high voltage DC PV network
and therefore offer a safe and efficient protection
UL 1449 3rd edition to photovoltaic installations, ask for a photovoltaic
The UL 1449 standard for SPDs has been the primary dedicated surge protective device!
safety standard for surge protection since 1985. Prior to
UL 1449 3 rd edition, the devices covered by the standard
were known as Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors (TVSS),
operating on circuits not exceeding 600 V. With the 3rd edition
these devices are now known as SPDs and may operate on
power circuits not exceeding 1500 V.

New ABB photovoltaic OVR surge protection ratings

Complying with the new EN 50539-11 or UL 1449
3 rd edition, the new ratings of our OVR PV range have been
defined for an easier selection and to fulfil requirements of
photovoltaic specific networks.
Installations of our OVR and OVR PV range on photovoltaic networks
Recommendations
OVR PV 40 600 P TS - OVR PV 40 600 P TS U
OVR PV 40 1000 P TS - OVR PV 40 1000 P TS U
OVR PV 40 1000 P TS BW - OVR PV 40 1500 P TS BW OVR T1 xx 25
OVR PV 40 1500H P TS U OVR T2 xx 40

1TXH000313L0202 - Printed in France (11.2014 PDF)

Converter DC/AC

On photovoltaic installations with PV generators For AC side, according to IEC 61643-11

600 V DC range Surge protection in the MDB:
For surge protection of each converter and each solar panel, use a Type Order code
surge protective device: If external protection on the building (meshed cage, simple rod, ESE):
Type Order code Complying with/Certified Type 1 SPD – Iimp 25 kA
OVR PV 40 600 P 2CTB803953R5300 EN 50539-11 OVR T1 1N 25 255 2CTB815101R1500
OVR PV 40 600 P TS 2CTB803953R5400 OVR T1 1N 25 255 TS 2CTB815101R1000
OVR PV 40-600 P U 2CTB802340R0800 EN 50539-11 / UL 1449 Ed3 OVR T1 3N 25 255 2CTB815101R1600
OVR PV 40-600 P TS U 2CTB802340R0900 OVR T1 3N 25 255 TS 2CTB815101R0700
TS: Auxiliary contact If no external protection on the building: Type 2 SPD – Imax 40 kA
Iscpv: < 300 A without any specific DC back-up fuse. OVR T2 1N 40 275 P 2CTB803952R1100
For prospective short circuit current higher than 300 A, it is necessary to use a specific OVR T2 1N 40 275 P TS 2CTB803952R0800
back up fuse ≤ 10 A (PV applications).
OVR T2 3N 40 275 P 2CTB803953R1100
OVR T2 3N 40 275 P TS 2CTB803953R0500
For the protection of the metering unit
On photovoltaic installations with PV generators OVR TC 200V P 2CTB804820R0400
1000 V DC range OVR TC 200FR P 2CTB804820R0500
For surge protection of each converter and each solar panel, use a
surge protective device: For AC part, certified UL 1449
Type Order code Complying with/Certified Surge protection in the MDB:
OVR PV 40 1000 P 2CTB803953R6400 EN 50539-11 Type Order code
OVR PV 40 1000 P TS 2CTB803953R6500 If no external protection on the building: Type 4 SPD - Imax 40 kA
OVR PV 40-1000 P TS BW 2CTB804153R1900 OVR T2 1N 40 150 P TS U 2CTB802342R2100
OVR PV 40 1000 P U 2CTB802340R3200 EN 50539-11 / UL 1449 Ed3 OVR T2 1N 40 320 P TS U 2CTB802342R2500
OVR PV 40-1000 P TS U 2CTB802340R3300 OVR T2 1N 40 440 P TS U 2CTB802342R2900
TS: Auxiliary contact OVR T2 1N 40 550 P TS U 2CTB802342R3300
Iscpv: 10 kA without any specific DC back-up fuse.
OVR T2 3N 40 150 P TS U 2CTB802346R2100
OVR T2 3N 40 320 P TS U 2CTB802346R2500
On photovoltaic installations with PV generators OVR T2 3N 40 440 P TS U 2CTB802346R2900
OVR T2 3N 40 550 P TS U 2CTB802346R3300
1500 V DC range
TS: Auxiliary contact P: Pluggable
For surge protection of each inverter and each solar panel, use a surge
protection device: External Protection System with early streamer emission
Type Order code Complying with/Certified
air terminal (ESEAT)
OVR PV 40-1500 P BW 2CTB804153R2200 EN 50539-11
OVR PV 40-1500 P TS BW 2CTB804153R2100 The OPR draws its energy from the ambient electrical field during the
OVR PV 40-1500H P U 2CTB802340R4200 EN 50539-11 / UL 1449 Ed3 storm. After capturing the lightning strike, the OPR directs it towards
OVR PV 40-1500H P TS U 2CTB802340R4300 the down conductors to the ground where it is dissipated.
TS: Auxiliary contact Type Order code
Iscpv: 10 kA without any specific DC back-up fuse. OPR 30 2CTB899800R7000
OPR 45 2CTB899800R7500
OPR 60 2CTB899800R7100

For more information please contact:

ABB France
Low Voltage Products Division
Pôle Foudre Soulé & Hélita
1, avenue des Victimes du 11 juin 1944 www.abb.com/lowvoltage
65203 Bagnères de Bigorre - France
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Tel: +33 (0)5 62 91 45 60
Fax: +33 (0)5 62 91 45 62
e-mail: [email protected]