Go Power! GP-RV-20 - Manual (Page 10)

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Parallel Connection: Electrical connection where the positive terminals of a number
of devices are connected together, as are their negative terminals. The output voltage
is usually limited to the device with the lowest voltage, and the total current is the sum
of the current of all the devices.
Photovoltaic (PV): Capable of producing a voltage when exposed to radiant energy,
especially light.
Regulator: See “Charge Controller” definition.
Sealed Batteries: Electrolyte will not spill out and gassing is kept to a minimum. A
sealed battery is maintenance free and may be installed in several orientations.
Series Connection Electrical connection where the positive terminal of one device is
attached to the negative terminal of the next in a series string; in this connection, the
string voltage is the sum of the device voltages and the string current is limited to the
current of the least productive device in the string.
Short-Circuit Current (Isc): Refers to a PV device’s current output when the positive
terminal is directly connected to the negative terminal.
Specific Gravity: In relation to a flooded battery, it is the density of the “electrolyte”
compared with the density of water thereby measuring the battery state of charge.
Standard Operating Conditions (SOC): A set of reference PV device measurement
conditions consisting of irradiance of 0.8 kW/m2, 20ºC ambient temperature, and
average wind speed of 1m/s, with the wind oriented parallel to the plane of the array,
and all sides of the array fully exposed to the wind.
Standard Test Conditions (STC): A set of reference PV device measurement
conditions consisting of irradiance of 1 kW/m2, AM 1.5, and 25ºC cell temperature.
Standalone System: A power system not connected to the utility grid (mains.)
Sometimes referred to as an autonomous system.
State of Charge: The percentage of energy in a battery referenced to its nominal full
capacity.
Sulfation: The formation of lead sulfate crystals on the plates of a lead-acid battery.
Normally used to refer to large sulfate crystals, rather than small crystals formed in
normal battery operation. The sulfate on the plates of a battery will harden if left in a
partially charged state, causing reduced battery capacity and shortening the life of the
battery. If caught in time, “equalization” will remove the buildup of sulfation.
Voltage: The electrical potential between two points. Voltage is analogous to water
pressure in that it pushes the electrons or current through a conductor. The unit for
voltage is volt and designated by the letter V.
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