The Laboratory of Photovoltaic Systems (LSF) linked to the Institute of Energy and Environment (IEE) from the University of São Paulo (USP) performs tests on charge controllers according to the requirements of the INMETRO ORDINANCE 004/2011 which estimates the equipment performance under both rated and extreme operating conditions to ensure that they have a minimum quality guaranteed.

In order to request the charge controller certification test, the technical specification sheet (PET - controladores de carga ) and the labeling request application form must be submitted in electronic format (pdf) fully filled and signed to fotovoltaico@iee.usp.br . The tests and sending of equipment shall be scheduled using the fotovoltaico@iee.usp.braddress.

The tests require two samples of each charge controller to be certified. The supplier is responsible for the delivery of the samples to the laboratory. The testing costs of each model are R$ 3000. This value includes all the tests required by the INMETRO. The costs associated with the product’s registration on the INMETRO and all the logistics necessary for the delivery and recollection of the charge controllers in the laboratory are responsibilities of the company. After testing, the IEE-USP sends a charging notice (bill) to the company.

Below are listed the types of charge controller tests:

1 Tests at rated conditions
1.1 Voltage drop
1.2 PV disconnection/reconnection voltage and temperature compensation
1.3 Load disconnection/reconnection voltage
1.4 Self-consumption

2 Tests at extreme conditions
2.1 Protection against overvoltage at PV input.
2.2 Protection against polarity inversion at PV input.
2.3 Protection against polarity inversion at battery input.
2.4 Protection against sequence connection (battery/module) inversion.
2.5 Protection against short-circuit at load output.

Important:

The register of the product in INMETRO expires in 1 (one) year. The company must perform new tests in a laboratory accredited by INMETRO every year to keep the labeling of a particular model.

The report emitted by the laboratory accredited by INMETRO also expires in 1 (one) year. It is recommended that the company registers the product in INMETRO’s ORQUESTRA systems immediately after receiving the test report.