ASTM E2685-15

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2685 − 09 E2685 − 15
Standard Specification for
Steel Blades Used with the Photovoltaic Module Surface Cut
1
Test
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2685; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification specifies the recommended physical characteristics of the steel blades required for the surface cut test
described in ANSI/UL 1703 (Section 24) and IEC 61730-2 (Paragraph 10.3).
1.2 ANSI/UL 1703 and IEC 61730-2 are standards for photovoltaic module safety testing.
1.3 This standard provides additional fabrication details for the surface cut test blades that are not provided in ANSI/UL 1703
or IEC 61730-2. Surface cut test blades that have out-of-tolerance corner radii or burrs are known to cause erroneous test results,
either passes or failures.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A506 Specification for Alloy and Structural Alloy Steel, Sheet and Strip, Hot-Rolled and Cold-Rolled
A684/A684M Specification for Steel, Strip, High-Carbon, Cold-Rolled
E1328E772 Terminology Relating to Photovoltaic of Solar Energy Conversion (Withdrawn 2012)
3
2.2 International Electrotechnical Commission Standards
IEC 61730-2 Photovoltaic (PV) Module Safety Qualification – Part 2: Requirements for Testing
4
2.3 American National Standard:
ANSI/UL 1703 Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this specification may be found in A506, A684/A684M, E1328E772, ANSI/UL
1703, and IEC 61730-2.
4. Materials and Manufacture
4.1 Surface cut test blades are fabricated from hardened steel strips. The minimum hardness of the steel is 24 as measured using
the Rockwell scale. Fully hardened and tempered steel of at least 0.50 weight percent carbon as specified in Specifications
A684/A684ME772 or A506 will meet this requirement.
4.2 Other materials besides hardened steel may be used provided they have sufficient hardness.
NOTE 1—Steel hacksaw blades commonly available at hardware stores are acceptable materials of the correct thickness and hardness.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E44 on Solar, Geothermal and Other Alternative Energy Sources and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E44.09 on Photovoltaic Electric Power Conversion.
Current edition approved April 1, 2009Feb. 1, 2015. Published May 2009March 2015. Originally approved in 2009 Last previous edition approved in 2009 as E2685–09.
DOI: 10.1520/E2685-09.10.1
...