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Wiki source code of Testing Procedures

Version 2.1 by robert on 2024/12/02 13:01
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1 {{box cssClass="floatinginfobox" title="**Contents**"}}
2 {{toc/}}
3 {{/box}}
4
5 = Data Loggers (TSAWR & LPR-200) =
6
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8
9 == Sub-paragraph ==
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12
13 === Sub-sub paragraph ===
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15 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
16
17
18 = Sensors =
19
20 Sensors can be tested in many ways...
21
22 == via Centaur (Nanometrics sensors) ==
23
24 words
25
26 == via data comparision (vs S1.AUANU) ==
27
28 words
29
30
31 = Solar Panels =
32
33 //(originally written by F. Bozinovic November 2024)//
34
35 Testing solar panels is vital for any remote seismic station, since role of the solar panel ensures that the batteries are kept charged throughout the day. Therefore, reliably testing them ensures only the working panels are installed on remote sites, ensuring success of the site operation and serviceability.
36
37 This procedure describes the method for testing solar panels and determining how to identify defective panels. The testing of solar panels should be performed outdoors, under bring sun to obtain accurate results.
38
39 **DO NOT test solar panels indoors using room lighting, this does not provide adequate light energy and will not give reliable results. **
40
41
42 Following materials are required
43
44 * Solar panel for testing
45
46 * Digital multi-meter (DMM)
47
48 * Load Resistor (designated power resistor of known value)
49
50 * Wire leads
51
52 * Alligator clips
53
54 * Spreadsheet with formulae
55
56 * Marker/ pen
57
58
59 Test Method
60
61 1. Clearly label each solar panel to keep track of measurements.
62 1. Record the manufacturers power rating of the solar panel. **Perform all measurement outdoors under bright sunny conditions! **
63 1. Using wire leads and/ or alligator clips measure the open circuit Voltage and Current of the solar panel and record. **Make sure to change the dial on the DMM as taking measurement under incorrect setting will damage the DMM! **
64 1. Using wire leads and/ or alligator clips connect the Load Resistor and measure the Voltage across the resistor and record.
65
66
67 Ensure the load resistor value is accurately measured and recorded. A difference in 0.1 Ohms results in 1% power difference in calculated result.
68
69 Once all the solar panels have been tested and their results recorded, enter their values under the corresponding panel label in a spreadsheet. The cells containing preset formula will auto-populate and provide the results.
70
71 If the spreadsheets need to be developed, follow the steps in the next section.
72
73
74
75 Developing a spreadsheet
76
77 Create a spreadsheet with following cells
78
79
80
81 (% style="height:563px; width:433px" %)
82 |(% style="width:148px" %)(((
83 Solar panel ID#
84 )))|(% style="width:281px" %)(((
85
86 )))
87 |(% style="width:148px" %)(((
88 Voltage (Voc)
89 )))|(% style="width:281px" %)(((
90 Open circuit Voltage
91 )))
92 |(% style="width:148px" %)(((
93 Current (Ioc)
94 )))|(% style="width:281px" %)(((
95 Open circuit Current
96 )))
97 |(% style="width:148px" %)(((
98
99 )))|(% style="width:281px" %)(((
100
101 )))
102 |(% style="width:148px" %)(((
103 VRL (Measured)
104 )))|(% style="width:281px" %)(((
105 Voltage across load_R
106 )))
107 |(% style="width:148px" %)(((
108 VRL (Theoretical)
109 )))|(% style="width:281px" %)(((
110
111 )))
112 |(% style="width:148px" %)(((
113
114 )))|(% style="width:281px" %)(((
115
116 )))
117 |(% style="width:148px" %)(((
118 Rated Power (Poc)
119 )))|(% style="width:281px" %)(((
120 Theoretical Power
121 )))
122 |(% style="width:148px" %)(((
123 Load Power (PRL)
124 )))|(% style="width:281px" %)(((
125 Power under load
126 )))
127 |(% style="width:148px" %)(((
128
129 )))|(% style="width:281px" %)(((
130
131 )))
132 |(% style="width:148px" %)(((
133 Power Loss %
134 )))|(% style="width:281px" %)(((
135
136 )))
137 |(% style="width:148px" %)(((
138 Load (RL)
139 )))|(% style="width:281px" %)(((
140 Load resistor value
141 )))
142
143
144
145 For cells in rows (Solar panel #ID), (Voc), (Ioc), (Vrl), enter the recorded values.
146
147
148 **These values should be measured and NOT taken from the panel specification sticker. The values may appear same or similar but these are manufacturer factory values obtained under very strict control conditions. **
149
150
151 (Rload) cell is the Load Resistor value. This cell is a constant and does not need to be copied for all entries.
152
153
154 Inside the “Vrl (Theoretical)” cell enter the following formula using the corresponding cells.
155
156 [Equation]
157
158
159 Inside the “Rated Power” cell enter the following formula using the corresponding cells.
160
161 [Equation]
162
163
164 Inside the “Load Power” cell enter the following formula using the corresponding cells.
165
166 [Equation]
167
168
169 Inside the “Power Loss %” cell enter the following formula using the corresponding cells.
170
171 The calculated values that are negative represent power loss, and positive values are power gain. Performing “conditional formatting” on these cells with colour gradient (defined by colour break limits) would yield visually easy to recognise defective panels. 
172
173
174 [Equation]
175
176
177 Perform all the calculations for each solar panel ID entered.
178
179 Solar panels with power loss of 20% or more should be clearly marked as defective and not be used in any future deployments.
180
181