AMETEK Announces 2012 Release of Fully Automated EN50530 Test System Leveraging the “Surround the Inverter” Concept,

The automated test system is configured and controlled via AMETEK Windows®-based software that enables users to select the EN50530 Test regime, connect up the inverter to be tested, start the test, walk away and return to collect the report. Previously, testing to EN50530 standard for efficiency of grid-connected PV invertors required an engineer or technician to be present to manually progress through each curve set. Main target groups are PV inverter manufacturers and test houses.

“Our goal is to provide a fully automated EN50530 test system that emphasizes precision MPP Tracking capabilities and control of AC Grid parameters to ensure reliable and accurate efficiency measurements. The key is to automate those tasks that can be automated, allowing the engineer to focus on inverter design, notes Dan Donati, Vice President, AMETEK Programmable Power Solutions.

AMETEK Programmable Power, through its Elgar brand of solutions, has supplied solar array simulators for more than 20 years for ground-based satellite test systems. Its “Surround the Inverter” programmable power products/solutions simulate the output of solar arrays, the loads applied to the output of the inverter, and the interface with the grid, providing a comprehensive and energy efficient means of testing PV Inverters.

TerraSAS Solar Array Simulators are available as single or multi-channel systems from 5kW-1MW (80V-1500V). Single/Three-Phase MX/RS Series Regenerative Grid Simulators are available from 15kVA-1MVA. Shipment of the EN50530 solution is expected to begin in early Q2 of 2012.

AMETEK will showcase the EN50530 test system for the first time at the 26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (Hamburg, Germany, 5 - 8 September, 2011) in Hall B3G, Stand B10.