FAULTS OF CONTACTS IN PV MODULE JUNCTION BOXES DUE TO FRETTING CORROSION

摘要

In 2012 an increased number of arcing faults in PV module junction boxes occurred at products manufactured by the company "Scheuten Solar Holding BV". Beside damages to modules and yield losses, also consequential fire damages to buildings happened. The Netherlands consumer product safety authority issued a European safety alert notification (RAPEX) and claimed extended tests for repair solutions as the affected products were certified and tested according to actual standards, but still failed in practice. Additional testing procedures beyond actual standards were defined after intensive discussions in an experts group. Suncycle developed a repair method in cooperation with the Fraunhofer institute for reliability and microintegration (IZM). Extended climatic chamber tests were carried out on original junction boxes as well as on different repair solutions. Measurements and analytical methods could prove the existence of fretting corrosion at original plug connections. The experience with this failure mechanism caused discussions in standardisation committees and adaptations of applicable product certification standards can be expected.