The battery powered portable cetisPV-CTF1 is a PhotoVoltaic Curve Tracer for field measurement at solar systems. The capacity of the battery ensures a measurement period of approx. 8 hours under normal conditions.
The basic version of the system incorporates an electronic load cassette cetisPV-LC1 with a measurement range of up to 5 kW resp. 250 V and 20 A. The current measurement channel has four and the voltage has five selectable ranges. By this means the measuring amplifiers can be adapted flexible to the individual local measurement conditions.
The processor cassette cetisPV-CTM-F1 incorporates three 16 bit A/D-converters (up to 35 kHz) for the simultaneous measurement of the current, the voltage and the irradiance signals. This allowes the point by point correction of the current and voltage signal to standardise testing conditions even when the sun irradiance is fluctuating. For measurements in the range of 5 to 100 kW the optional capacitve load booster cetisPV-CB1 is available. This allowes measurements in the range of up to 1,000 V and 100 A. Summing all the system features cetisPV-CTF1 guarantees highest resolutions under various measurement conditions.
Except for the power on switch the system provides no other control switches. Instead the operator controls the system set up and the measurement by a notebook connected to the cetisPV-CTF1 via a serial interface. The serial interface is galvanically decoupled to protect the operator and to avoid disturbances.
The software package PVCTControl provided with the system remotely controls the cetisPV-CTF1 to perform single or multiple IU-measurements with few key strokes or mouse clicks. Several presets of measurement parameters can be edited, stored and loaded for different measurement situations and tasks. After the selection of the appropriate preset the system is ready to take single or consecutive measurements. Immediately after the measurement and the analysis the data will be stored on the harddisc of the notebook for documentation purposes. These data can also be reloaded allowing e.g. the comparison with previously measured data at the same place or a comparable installation situation.
When connected with a printer a protocol printout can be generated including the IU-curve measured. In combination with a PDF-writer software (not included in the delivery) these protocols can be stored in an archive as well as be mailed to a customer. The open data interface (ASCI storage format) enables the experienced user to generate its own analysis via import of the measured data into e.g. Excel (product of microsoft inc.) or other analysis software programs.
Technical Specifications
Main-Unit
Low power microprocessor (16-bit) with flash memory for permanent storage of program and parameter.
Internal download interface for update of firmware.
I and U measurements with 16-bit and temperature measurement with 10-bit resolution. Selectable number of data points per curve up to 512.
4-wire measurement of IU-curve. Measurement ranges are software selectable.
Input for Sensol or equivalent sensors (0 .. 100 mV) to measure irradiance and temperature. Measurement range 0 ..1200 W/m², -20 .. 80 °C.
Separate PT1000 type sensor input for temperature measurement. Measurement range -20 .. 80 °C.
Serial interface RS232C/V24 for PC or Notebook. Isolation towards measurement section over 1200 V.
NiMH Battery powered supply. Charge input isolation towards measurement section over 1200 V. Battery allows operation time of min. 8 hours without recharging; alternative powering by small photovoltaic module possible.
Software
Measurement software for PC or Notebook with MS Windows 98, 2000 or XP.
Measurement output includes IV-, irradiance- and temperature-curves, calculation of Vmpp, Impp, FF, Uoc, Isc.
Data export to statistical programs e.g. MS-Excel provided.
Mechanical Data
Dimensions 310 x 210 x 320 mm (width x height x depth)
Mass approx. 6.1 kg (without capacitor load booster) or 8.4 kg (with capacitor load booster).
Protection class of portable case IP65.