prSRPS EN IEC 61643-31:2026/AA:2026

Low-voltage surge protective devices - Part 31: Requirements and test methods for SPDs for photovoltaic installations

Scope

This document, together with IEC 61643-01, is applicable to devices for surge protection against indirect and direct effects of lightning or other transient overvoltages.
These devices are intended to be connected to the DC side of photovoltaic installations rated up to 1 500 V DC. Performance and safety requirements, tests and ratings are specified in this document. These devices contain at least one nonlinear component and are intended to limit surge voltages and divert surge currents.
SPDs complying with this standard are exclusively dedicated to be installed on the DC side of photovoltaic generators and the DC side of PV inverters.
SPDs for PV systems with energy storage (e.g. batteries, capacitor banks) are not covered in this standard.
SPDs with separate input and output terminals that contain specific series impedance between these terminal(s) (so called two-port SPDs according to IEC 61643-01) are not covered.
SPDs compliant with this standard are designed to be permanently connected where connection and disconnection of fixed SPDs can only be done using a tool. This standard does not apply to portable SPDs.
NOTE 1 In general SPDs for PV applications do not contain a specific series impedance between the input/output terminals due to power efficiency considerations.
NOTE 2 Wherever reference is made to the electric power system or the power system within this document, this refers to the DC side of the photovoltaic installation.

Related directives

NOTE: If the word "harmonized" (marked in green) is not found in the field with the name of the directive, it means that the European standard is not cited in the OJEU.