ISBN 978-0-626-26171-9

SANS 959-2-2:2012
Edition 1

NRS 052-2-2:2012
Edition 2

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

Photovoltaic systems for use in individual homes, schools and clinics Part 2-2: Test procedures for main components Batteries

This national standard is the identical implementation of NRS 052-2-2:2012 and is adopted in terms of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Electricity Suppliers Liaison Committee and the SABS Standards Division.

Published by SABS Standards Division 1 Dr Lategan Road Groenkloof Private Bag X191 Pretoria 0001 Tel: +27 12 428 7911 Fax: +27 12 344 1568 www.sabs.co.za SABS

SANS 959-2-2:2012 Edition 1 NRS 052-2-2:2012 Edition 2

Table of changes Change No. Date Scope

Foreword
This South African standard was prepared by a working group of the Electricity Suppliers Liaison Committee and adopted by National Committee TC 69, Power electronics and alternative energy conversion, in accordance with procedures of the SABS Standards Division, in compliance with annex 3 of the WTO/TBT agreement. The adoption has been done in terms of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Electricity Suppliers Liaison Committee and the SABS Standards Division. This document was published in xxxxx 2012.

NRS 052-2-2:2012
Edition 2

PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS FOR USE IN INDIVIDUAL HOMES, SCHOOLS AND CLINICS

Part 2: Test procedures for main components
Section 2: Batteries

N R S

This specification is issued by the Standardization Section, Eskom, on behalf of the User Group given in the foreword.

Table of changes Change No. Date Text affected

Correspondence to be directed to The NRS Projects Manager Standardization Section Industry Association Resource Centre Eskom Private Bag X13 Halfway House 1685 Telephone Fax E-mail Website : (011) 651 6832 : (011) 651 6827 : nrs@eskom.co.za : http://www.nrs.eskom.co.za

Printed and electronic copies obtainable from The SABS Standards Division Private Bag X191 Pretoria 0001

Telephone Fax E-mail Website

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(012) 428-7911 (012) 344-1568 sales@sabs.co.za http://www.sabs.co.za

COPYRIGHT RESERVED Printed in the Republic of South Africa by the SABS Standards Division 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, Pretoria

NRS 052-2-2:2012

Foreword
This section of NRS 052-2 was prepared on behalf of the Electricity Suppliers Liaison Committee (ESLC) and approved by it for use by supply authorities and other users. This section of NRS 052-2 was prepared by a working group which, at the time of publication, comprised the following members: D Banks (Chairperson) D A Byker W de Klerk L Drotsche G Gentles R Henderson T Jacobs S Khoza C Meyer C Purcell V Sewchand (Project Leader) S v d Merwe Restio Energy Tshwane Electricity Telkom Eskom Western Cape Region (Brackenfell) Eskom Non-Grid Electrification Eskom Eskom Western Cape Region (Brackenfell) Department of Energy SABS Restio Energy Technology Standardization Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality

A Manufacturers Interest Group (MIG) was consulted on the contents of this section of NRS 052-2 and its comments were incorporated where the working group was in agreement. The MIG comprised the following members: U Klingenberg Photovoltaic Suppliers and Manufacturers Association

This edition supersedes NRS 052-2-2:1999 (first edition). NRS 052 consists of the following parts and sections, under the general title Photovoltaic systems for use in individual homes, schools and clinics: Part 1: Part 2: Standardized requirements applicable to off-grid individual homes, schools and clinics. Test procedures for main components. Section 1: Section 2: Section 3: Section 4: Section 5: Photovoltaic modules. Batteries. Regulators, charge controllers and maximum power point trackers (MPPTs). Inverters. Luminaires.

Part 3: Standardized requirements applicable to the installation and maintenance of off-grid systems in individual homes, schools and clinics.

NRS 052-2-2:2012

Introduction
This section of NRS 052-2 has been developed to standardize the testing of batteries to be utilized in the solar home systems programme and the school and clinic electrification programmes as envisaged in NRS 052-1. The tests contained in this section of NRS 052-2 are intended to verify compliance with the requirements in 4.4 in NRS 052-1:2012. Although intended to test batteries used in systems of nominal d.c. voltage 12 V with maximum currents of up to 20 A, the tests can be adapted to test and characterize lead-acid batteries of other nominal voltages used in photovoltaic systems. When batteries of higher nominal voltages are tested, for example, 24 V, 36 V and 48 V, the test parameters will need to be revised and rescaled. The test procedures were based on lead-acid batteries that are designed to suit the daily cycling and deep discharge associated with photovoltaic (PV) system applications.

Keywords
batteries, electronic power systems, IPAP2, photovoltaic systems, solar power.

NRS 052-2-2:2012

Contents
Page 1 Scope ...................................................................................................................................... 2 Normative references.............................................................................................................. 3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations ...................................................................................... 4 Inspection and tests ................................................................................................................ 4.1 General ........................................................................................................................... 4.2 Accuracy of measuring instruments ............................................................................... 4.3 Preparation and maintenance of tests samples ............................................................. 4.4 Documentation ............................................................................................................... 4.5 Charge retention............................................................................................................. 4.6 Cycle endurance test...................................................................................................... 4.7 Charge efficiency test ..................................................................................................... 4.8 Visual inspection............................................................................................................. 4.9 Capacity test ................................................................................................................... 4.10 Mechanical endurance test ............................................................................................ 4.11 Cycle endurance test in extreme PV applications.......................................................... Bibliography............................................................................................................................... 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 6

NRS 052-2-2:2012

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NRS 052-2-2:2012

PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS FOR USE IN INDIVIDUAL HOMES, SCHOOLS AND CLINICS Part 2: Test procedures for main components Section 2: Batteries

1 Scope
1.1 This section of NRS 052-2 specifies test procedures for batteries for use in photovoltaic systems of nominal d.c. voltage 12 V and maximum currents of up to 20 A. 1.2 The test procedures can be adapted for batteries of higher nominal d.c. voltages, for example, 24 V, 36 V and 48 V, for use in photovoltaic systems. In such cases the parameters to which the batteries are tested will be revised and rescaled.
NOTE The tests listed in this section of NRS 052-2 do not replace other tests that might be needed to confirm compliance with NRS 052-1 or other compulsory battery standards. In particular, the tests in this section of NRS 052-2 do not deal with safety or issues covered by SANS 60896-11, SANS 60896-21, or SANS 60896-22.

1.3 The objective of the test procedures in this section of NRS 052-2 is to verify compliance with the requirements specified in NRS 052-1.

2 Normative references
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this section of NRS 052-2. All documents are subject to revision and, since any reference to a document is deemed to be a reference to the latest edition of that document, parties to agreements based on this specification are encouraged to take steps to ensure the use of the most recent editions of the documents listed below. Information on currently valid national and international standards can be obtained from the SABS Standards Division.
NOTE In the case of conflict between any of the following standards and specifications and this section of NRS 052-2, the requirements of this section of NRS 052-2 take precedence.

IEC 62093, Balance-of-system components for photovoltaic systems Design qualification natural environments. NRS 052-1, Photovoltaic systems for use in individual homes, schools and clinics Part 1: Standardized requirements applicable to off-grid individual homes, schools and clinics. SANS 61427/IEC 61427, Secondary cells and batteries for photovoltaic energy systems (PVES) Part 1: General requirements and methods of test.

NRS 052-2-2:2012

3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations

For the purposes of this section of NRS 052-2, the terms, definitions and abbreviations given in NRS 052-1 apply.

4 Inspection and tests

4.1 General
Batteries, except where otherwise required in this section of NRS 052-2, shall be tested in accordance with the procedures given in IEC 62093.

4.2 Accuracy of measuring instruments

The requirements of IEC 62093 apply.

4.3 Preparation and maintenance of tests samples

The procedures in clauses 3 and 4 in IEC 62093:2005 apply. Follow the test sequence given in clause 6 in IEC 62093:2005.

4.4 Documentation
Check documentation in accordance with clause 5 in IEC 62093:2005.

4.5 Charge retention

Test batteries for charge retention in accordance with IEC 62093. As an acceptance criterion the charge retention of the battery shall comply with the requirements in 4.3.4.5 in NRS 052-1:2012.

4.6 Cycle endurance test

Test batteries for cycle endurance in accordance with IEC 62093 (which refers to IEC 61427 (SANS 61427)).

4.7 Charge efficiency test

Determine charge efficiency in accordance with IEC 62093. Determine the charge efficiency of the battery at 20 C in accordance with SANS 61427. For this test, discharge the battery at I50 and recharge at I120.

4.8 Visual inspection

Carry out a visual inspection in accordance with IEC 62093 to verify compliance of the battery with the requirements in 4.2.1.2.1 in NRS 052-1:2012.

4.9 Capacity test

Test batteries for capacity in accordance with IEC 62093.

5 4.10 Mechanical endurance test

Batteries may be tested for: a) b) c) d) e) protection against mechanical impact in accordance with IEC 62093; shipping vibration in accordance with IEC 62093; shock in accordance with IEC 62093; thermal cycling in accordance with IEC 62093; and robustness of terminals in accordance with IEC 62093.

NRS 052-2-2:2012

4.11 Cycle endurance test in extreme PV applications

Batteries may be tested for typical PV cycle endurance in accordance with SANS 61427.

NRS 052-2-2:2012

Bibliography
European Commission, 1998, Universal technical standard for solar home systems. Hankins, M, 1991. Guide for planning and installing solar electric lighting systems in rural Africa. London: Commonwealth Science Council and Nairobi: Motif Creative Acts, Ltd. NOGSCAAI7:1999, Technical specification for the main components for photovoltaic systems for schools. Johannesburg: Eskom Non-Grid Electrification. Purcell C.J de V. 1991. Battery performance characteristics in stand-alone photovoltaic systems, Energy for Development Research Centre: University of Cape Town. RAPS design manual:1992, Remote area power supply (RAPS) design manual. Prepared for the Department of Minerals and Energy by the Energy for Development Research Centre, University of Cape Town. Woodworth, J.R, et al, 1994. Evaluation of the batteries and charge controllers in small stand-alone photovoltaic systems. Hawaii: First World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC).

SABS

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