New requirements for low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies used in photovoltaic (PV) installations are among a substantial group of draft South African National Standards (SANS) opened for public comment.
A Government Gazette notice published on July 17 lists SANS 61439-8, which covers the design and verification of low-voltage assemblies used in PV installations. The proposed standard addresses assemblies with a rated voltage not exceeding 1 500 V DC or 1 000 V AC.
PV power conversion equipment is also covered by draft SANS 62920. According to the notice, the standard specifies electromagnetic compatibility emission and immunity requirements and test methods for equipment that converts DC power generated by a PV array. Its scope includes power conversion equipment used with DC-coupled electrical energy storage systems.
Several proposed standards address the electrical performance, structural integrity and control of wind energy systems. These include SANS 61400-21-1 for measuring and assessing the electrical characteristics of wind turbines against grid connection requirements and SANS 61400-21-2 for assessing the electrical characteristics of complete wind power plants.
Full-scale structural testing of wind turbine blades is covered by draft SANS 61400-23 while SANS 61400-25-3 specifies information exchange models for monitoring and controlling wind power plants.
Cybersecurity requirements for connected low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies used in operational technology environments are set out in draft SANS 63208. The proposed standard covers equipment that can communicate with external devices or systems.
The notice also includes South African Technical Report 63179 addressing the planning of high-voltage DC systems using line-commutated converters, voltage-source converters or a combination of the two technologies.
Other energy-related documents published for comment include:
- SANS 62902 covering marking symbols used to identify the chemistry of secondary cells, batteries and battery modules
- SANS 19870-1 setting out a methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrogen production
- SANS 62040-3 specifying performance and testing requirements for uninterruptible power systems.
Comments on the draft standards must be submitted by September 16.
