Overview
IEC 62109-1:2010 - Safety of power converters for use in photovoltaic power systems (Part 1: General requirements) defines the minimum safety requirements for power conversion equipment (PCE) used in photovoltaic (PV) systems. It establishes a uniform technical baseline for the design, manufacture and testing of PV inverters, converters and related equipment to protect against electric shock, energy, fire, mechanical and other hazards.
Keywords: IEC 62109-1, PV power converters safety, photovoltaic inverters safety standard, power conversion equipment, electrical safety.
Key topics and technical requirements
IEC 62109-1 provides general, practical requirements that apply across PV PCE types. Major topics include:
- Scope and object - which PCE are included and which aspects are excluded.
- General testing requirements - test sequences, reference conditions, thermal testing, and single-fault testing.
- Electrical safety tests - impulse voltage, dielectric (voltage) tests, partial discharge and touch-current measurements.
- Protection against electric shock and energy hazards - decisive voltage classifications, protective separation, insulation, clearance & creepage, and RCD/RCM compatibility.
- Backfeed and fault conditions - tests and pass/fail criteria for backfeed under normal and single-fault states.
- Marking and documentation - mandatory identification, ratings, warning markings and installation/maintenance instructions.
- Environmental and physical requirements - ingress protection, pollution degree, UV exposure, temperature/humidity categories, mechanical stability, lifting/installation provisions.
- Fire, mechanical, sonic, liquid and chemical hazards - material selection, fire enclosures, limited power source testing, moving parts protection, liquid containment and chemical safety.
- Physical construction - wiring, terminals, connectors, openings, polymeric materials and enclosure requirements.
Practical applications and users
IEC 62109-1 is intended for stakeholders involved in PV equipment safety and compliance:
- Manufacturers and designers of PV inverters, converters and PCE - to guide safe design and component selection.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies - to perform type and routine testing against standardized criteria.
- System integrators and installers - for installation instructions, marking and compatibility guidance.
- Regulators and procurement teams - to specify minimum safety requirements in tenders and approvals.
- Maintenance personnel - for safe service procedures and understanding single-fault behaviours.
Related standards
- IEC 62109-2 (specific requirements for particular PCE types) - complements Part 1 by addressing detailed/variant-specific criteria.
- Other IEC electrical safety and PV standards may be referenced for system-level compliance.
IEC 62109-1 is essential for achieving consistent, verifiable safety in photovoltaic power conversion equipment and for demonstrating compliance with international PV safety best practices.
Open preview (PDF)Safety of power converters for use in photovoltaic power systems - Part 1: General requirements
