The High Voltage Laboratory (HVL) of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) has an active role in WP5 of the PVrosion project. Their tasks include laboratory experiments that can quantify the level of dc leakage anticipated from dc cables that are installed in large scale PV systems. Electrical tests on different cable types under various artificially ageing levels will be implemented in order to acquire information about the deterioration of the electrical characteristics under different conditions.
During the first set of experiments, the insulation resistance of DC cables (used in PV systems) is being measured in a wide range of temperatures (20°C – 90°C). As per standard BS EN 50525-1, the cables are placed in a water bath, and the leakage current is measured while applying a 500 V DC. During the measurements, the samples are maintained at a specific temperature.
