Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for testing solar home systems including at least one of each of the following components: a photovoltaic solar generator, a battery, a charge controller and a load. According to the invention, connecting means are provided. These enable the device to be connected to the at least one charge controller, the at least one charge controller having been uncoupled from the other components; to the at least one solar generator, to the at least one battery and to the at least one load. The device also includes testing means with which all the components can be tested individually and within their typical operational connections to each other in order to determine the parameters and states which are characteristic to the operativeness of the solar home system being tested. Display means for displaying the parameters and states that are tested are also provided. The inventive device enables less qualified employees to reliably test solar power installations with all the components which are interconnected on an interruptible bridge since the device is easy to connect to all the components in their entirety using the connecting means and since the test can be carried out automatically without manual intervention in connections of the solar power installation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a device for checking autonomous solar installations, which comprise in each case at least a photovoltaic solar generator, a battery, a charge controller and a load as the components. 
     Autonomous solar installations, such as so-called solar home systems, abbreviated to SHS, autonomously supply especially domestic areas having a relatively low power consumption with power independently of a main supply. They are usually assembled from a photovoltaic solar generator, a battery, a charge controller as well as a load composed of, for example, several consumers, which are interconnected with one another. In order to ensure that such solar installations function in an orderly manner, as is frequently required for the very existence of the owners, it is necessary to check the individual components on a regular basis, in order to be able to identify threatening functional failures of the whole solar installations in good time. Until now, this checking was carried out by disconnecting the individual components of the solar installations from one another and checking them at great expense with a battery-supplied voltage source, a voltmeter, an ohmmeter, a clip-on ammeter and an acid leakage meter. However, for checking in an orderly manner, qualified technical personnel is required, since it is necessary not only to carry out relatively complicated measuring procedures at the individual components but also, after the individual tests are carried out, to connect the solar installation once again into a functioning state. Moreover, after the individual components have been connected once again into a functioning state, it is not possible to check the solar installation. However, this is a not inconsiderable problem for the planning and maintenance of a decentralized power supply, especially in developing countries. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention, to provide a device for checking autonomous solar installations, which comprise, as components, in each case at least a photovoltaic solar generator, a battery, a charge controller and a load, which permits such solar installations to be checked simply, quickly and, nevertheless reliably even by less qualified technical personnel. 
     This objective is accomplished for a device of the type named above with means for connecting to the charge controller, uncoupled from the remaining components, with means for connecting to the or each solar generator, the or each battery as well as the or each load with the charge controller or controllers uncoupled, with means for testing, with which the components can be checked individually and when connected with one another in typical operational fashion for determining characteristic parameters and conditions for the functioning capability of the solar installation, which is to be checked, and with display means for indicating the checked parameters and conditions. 
     The device can be connected with connecting means on the one hand to at least one uncoupled charge controller and, on the other, to the remaining components of a solar installation, which is to be checked, such as a direct current system, supplied photovoltaically independently of a main supply, and the components can be checked with testing means individually or when connected with one another in a typical operational fashion, a solar installation can be checked without expensive modifications with a device, constructed as a hand testing implement with test lead trees and test plugs automatically without manual intervention even by less qualified personnel. 
     Advantageously, the connecting means comprise connector strips, which can be inserted into assigned socket terminal strips of connecting rail for the components, which can be interrupted by a bridge. 
     For the maintenance-free operation of the inventive device, the testing means and the display means advantageously can be connected over voltage converters for supplying power externally to at least one battery of the solar installation, so that problems with an internal energy supply, such as the availability of batteries are avoided even in remote areas with a poor infrastructure. 
     For checking switching thresholds of the at least one charge controller very accurately, the testing means advantageously comprise an adjustable reference voltage source. 
     Various test modes can be carried out in refinements of the inventive device. 
     In one setting of the testing means and the display means, a self-test, with which the efficiency over workability of control means and switching means can be checked, can be carried out to check the proper functioning. 
     In a further setting of the testing means and the display means, a solar generator test can be carried out, for which the open circuit voltage and the short circuit current of at least one solar generator can be measured with at least one battery and at least one load component uncoupled from the at east one charge controller. 
     In a further setting of the testing means and the display means, a battery test of the at least one battery can be carried out, for which the open circuit voltage, the voltage when the at least one load is connected as well as when the at least one solar generator and the charging current with the at least one load uncoupled are connected, can be measured. 
     In the case of the solar generator test and the battery test, the testing means advisably comprise a reference solar generator for determining the incident radiation from the sun. 
     In a further setting of the testing means and the display means, a load test can be carried out, for which the voltage and the current of the at least one load as well as the voltage of the at least one battery can be measured with the at least one solar generator uncoupled. 
     In the developments for carrying out the tests, it is advantageous when providing the adjustable reference voltage source that, in one setting of the testing means and display means for carrying out a charge controller test with the at least one solar generator, at least one battery as well as at least one load uncoupled, the adjustable reference voltage source can be connected to the at least one charge controller and the intrinsic consumption as well as the switching thresholds of the at least one charge controller can be checked. 
     For the charge controller test, the testing means advantageously have a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the surroundings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 in a clear perspective representation, shows a device, having a hand testing implement, for checking autonomous solar installations which, together with further components of the solar installation, are connected to a connecting rail, 
     FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1, 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 show the functional construction of the arrangement of FIG. 1 in which, for the purpose of explanation, is illustrated by means of model circuit diagrams, 
     FIG. 5 shows a functional circuit diagram of a self-testing unit of the hand testing implement of FIGS. 3 and 4, 
     FIG. 6 shows a functional circuit diagram of the construction of a control unit of the hand testing implement of FIGS. 3 and 4 and 
     FIG. 7 shows a functional circuit diagram of the construction of a charge controller testing unit of the hand testing implement of FIGS.  3  and  4 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1, in a clear perspective representation, shows an example of an inventive device, comprising a hand testing implement  1  with testing means and display means for checking autonomous solar installations in the form of direct current systems, which are independent of a main power supply and are supplied by photovoltaic means. The device of FIG. 1 has a first test lead tree  2  and, connected to the first test lead tree, a first test plug  3  from connecting means which, when the first test plug  3  is inserted into a first socket terminal  4  of a connecting rail  5 , is connected with a solar generator  6 , a battery  7  as well as a load  8  as components of a solar installation, which is to be checked. 
     Furthermore, the device of FIG. 1 has a second test lead tree  9 , as well as a second test plug  10  from connection means which, when the second test plug  10  is inserted into a second socket terminal strip  11  of the connecting rail  5 , is connected with a charge controller  12  as a further component of the solar installation, which is to be checked. The connecting rail  5  furthermore is constructed with a bridge  13 , which connects the solar generator  6 , the battery  7  and the load  8  on the one hand with the charge controller  12  and, on the other. After removal of the bridge  13  from the connecting rail  5  and inserting the test plugs  3 ,  10  in the associated socket terminal strips  4 ,  11 , the hand testing implement  1  is connected between the solar generator  6 , the battery  7 , the load  8  as well as the charge controller  12 . 
     FIG. 2 shows a perspective representation particularly of the hand testing implement  1  of the device of FIG. 1, to which the test lead trees  2 ,  9  and test plugs  3 ,  10  are connected. A reference solar generator  14 , as well as a temperature sensor  15  from the testing means of the inventive device, shown by way of example, can be connected to the hand testing implement  1 . The hand testing implement  1  has a voltage input unit  16 , with which a reference voltage can be set accurately to at least 100 millivolt and preferable to at lest  10  millivolt. The hand testing implement  1  furthermore is equipped with a test selection switch unit  17 , which in the example shown is constructed as a multistep rotary switch and over which the solar generator  6 , the battery  7 , the load  8  and the charge controller  12  can be tested individually and in typical operational connections with one another for determining characteristic parameters and conditions typical of the functioning capability of the solar installation that is to be checked. Displays, integrated in the hand testing implement of the inventive device shown by way of example comprise a multi-line liquid crystal display  18 , as well as a deep-discharging protection display  19  and an overload protection display  20 . 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 show the functional construction of the arrangement of FIG. 1 for the purpose of explanation by means of model circuit diagrams. 
     FIGS. 3 shows, in particular, controlling means of the inventive device, which is explained by way of example. According to FIG. 3, the device has a self-testing switching unit  21 , which can be addressed in a self-testing setting  22  of the test selection switch unit  17 . The self-testing unit  21  is connected over a number of self-testing control connections  23  with a number of control modules of a control arrangement  24  of the testing means. The control arrangement  24  comprises a self-testing control module  25 , which can be addressed directly in the self-testing control setting  22  of the test selection switch unit  17 . The control arrangement  24  furthermore has a first solar generator test control module  26 , a second solar generator test control module  27  and a third solar generator test control module  28 , which can be addressed in a solar generator test setting  29  of the test selection switch unit  17  over a solar generator test switch module  30 . 
     The control arrangement  24  furthermore has a first battery test control module  31 , a second battery test controlling module  32 , as well as a third battery test control module  33  which, cascaded in a battery testing setting  34  of the test selection switch unit  17 , can be controlled over a battery test switch module  35 . The third solar generator test control module  28  can be addressed in a further setting of the battery test switch module  35 . 
     In a load testing setting  36  of the test selection switch unit  17 , a load test main control module  38  can be addressed in each setting of a load test switch module  37  and, in addition, a first load test control module  39 , a second load test control module  40  and a third load test control module  41  of the control arrangement  24  can be addressed in each case in one position, so that the load test control modules  39 ,  40 ,  41  in each case can be activated individually together with the load test main control module  38 . Correspondingly, a charge controller test main control module  44  can be addressed in a charge controller test setting  42  of the test selection switch unit  17  over a charge controller test switching module  43  and, in addition, a first charge controller test control module  45 , a second charge controller test control module  46  and a third charge controller test control module  47 , together with the charge controller test main control module  44 , can be addressed at different settings of the charge controller test switch module  43 . 
     Furthermore, according to FIG. 3, the exemplary device has a control unit  48 , which is connected over individual test control connections  49  with the solar generator test switch module  30 , the battery test switch module  35 , the load test switch module  37  as well as the charge controller test switch module  43  for their control. The setting of the test selection switch unit  17  of the control unit  48  can be fed in the over a test selection status connections  50 . 
     Furthermore, control signals for carrying out a self-test can be supplied with the control unit  48  to the self-testing unit  21  over a switch test control connections  51  and a control test connection  52 . A voltage measurement value connection  53  supplies a measured voltage value to the control unit  48 . Furthermore, the control unit  48  is connected over a display bus lead  54  with the liquid crystal display  18 . 
     According to FIG. 3, the device furthermore has a charge controller test unit  55 , to which the temperature sensor  15  is connected. The charge controller test unit  55  is connected over a charge controller test bus connection  58  with the control unit  48 . Furthermore, the charge controller test unit  55  is connected with a number of charge controller test connections  57 . 
     The controlling modules  25  to  28 ,  31  to  33 ,  38  to  41 ,  44  to  47 , as well as the self-testing unit  21 , the control unit  48  as well as the charge controller test unit  55  are connected to the positive terminal of the battery. The control unit  48  as well as the charge controller test unit  55  are connected to the negative terminal  59  of the battery, so that these, together with the liquid crystal display  18 , can be supplied externally with electric energy. Furthermore, the test selection switch unit  17  is connected to the negative terminal  59  of the battery and, in the settings  22 ,  29 ,  34 ,  36 ,  42  of the test selection switch unit  17 , the self-testing unit  21  or the control modules  25  to  28 ,  31  to  33 ,  38  to  41 ,  44  to  47  can be connected over the corresponding switch modules  30 ,  35 ,  37 ,  43  to the negative terminal  59  of the battery for the appropriate activation. A positive voltage measurement tap  60  as well as a negative voltage measurement tap  61  are connected to the self-testing unit  21  as well as to the charge controller testing unit  55 . 
     Finally, the hand testing implement  1  can be deactivated in a switching-off positions  62  of the test selection switch unit  17  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 4 shows, in particular, switching means of the device, explained by way of example in the arrangement of FIG. 1. A positive battery load lead  63  and a positive battery test lead  64  are each provided with fuses  65 ,  66 . The positive battery connection  58  is connected to the positive battery load lead  63  and the negative battery connections  59  is connected to a negative battery load lead  67 . The positive voltage measuring tap  60  is connected to a positive tap  60  a and the negative voltage measuring tap  61  is connected to a negative tap  69 . Furthermore, a dc voltage meter  70  is connected with the positive tap  68  and the negative tap  69  and, over the voltage measurement value connection  53  with the control unit  48 . 
     The solar generator six is connected with a positive solar generator lead  71  and a negative solar generator lead  72  to the first socket terminal strip  4 . The battery  7  is contacted with the positive battery load lead  63 , the positive battery test lead sixty-four, the negative battery load lead  67  and a negative battery test lead  73  with the first socket terminal strip  4 . Finally, the load  8  is connected with a positive load lead  74  and a negative load lead  75  to the first socket terminal strip  4 , into which, in the representation of FIG. 4, the first test plug  3  is inserted. 
     For carrying out a self-test in the self-testing setting  22  of the test selection switch unit  17 , the example of an inventive device described has a first self-testing switch  76 , placed in the positive solar generator lead  71 , a second self-testing switch  77 , placed in the negative solar generator lead  72 , a third self-testing switch  78 , placed in the positive battery testing lead  64 , a fourth self-testing switch  79 , placed in the positive battery load lead  73 , a fifth self-testing switch  80 , placed in the negative battery load lead  67 , a sixth self-testing switch  81 , placed in the negative battery test lead  73 , a seventh self-testing switch  82 , placed in the positive load lead  74  and an eighth self-testing switch  83 , placed in the negative load lead  75 . The self-testing switches  76  to  83 , which are constructed as break contacts, can be opened in the self-testing position  22  of the test selection switch unit  17  when the self-testing control module  25  is triggered, so that the solar generator  6 , the battery  7  as well as the load  8  are uncoupled from the hand testing implement  1 . 
     For carrying out a solar generator test in the solar generator test position  29  of the test selection switch unit  17 , a first solar generator test switch  84  is placed between the positive solar generator lead  71  and the positive tap  68  and a second solar generator test switch  85 , which can be closed over the first solar generator test control module  26 , is placed between the negative solar generator lead  72  and the negative tap  69 . Furthermore, a third solar generator test switch  86  is connected to the positive solar generator lead  71  and a fourth solar generator test switch  87 , which can be closed with the second solar generator test control module  27 , is connected to the negative solar generator lead  72 . The third solar generator test switch  86  and the fourth solar generator test switch  87  are connected with their further connections to a first solar generator measurement bridge  88 , which in turn is connected over a fifth solar generator test switch  89  to the positive tap  68  and, over a sixth solar generator test switch  90 , to the negative tap  69 , which can be closed, in each case, by the second solar generator test control module  27 . Furthermore, a seventh solar generator test switch  91  and an eighth solar generator test switch  90 , connected to the positive tap  68 , are provided and can be closed over the third solar generator test control module  28  with connection of the reference solar generator  14  with the positive tap  68  or the negative tap  69 . 
     For carrying out a battery test in the battery test setting  34  of the test selection switch unit  17 , a first battery test switch  93  is placed between the positive battery load lead  63  and the positive tap  68  and a second battery test switch  94  is placed between the negative battery load lead  67  and the negative tap  69 . The first battery test switch  93  and the second battery test switch  94  can be closed over the first battery test control module  31 , if the battery test switch module  35  is set appropriately. Furthermore, a third battery test switch  95  is placed in the positive battery test lead  64 , a fourth battery test switch  96  is placed in the positive battery load lead  63 , a fifth battery test switch  97  is placed in the negative battery load lead  67  and a sixth battery test switch  98 , which can be closed over the second battery test control module  32 , is placed in the negative battery test lead  73 . A seventh battery test switch  99  is placed in the positive solar generator lead  71  and an eighth battery test switch  100 , which also can be closed by the second battery test control module  32 , is placed in the negative solar generator lead  72 . 
     A ninth and battery test switch  101  is placed between the first battery test switch  93  and the positive tap  68  and a tenth battery test switch  102 , which is constructed as a break contact and can be actuated over the third battery test control module  33 , is placed between the second battery test switch  94  and the negative tap  69 . In the positive battery load lead  63 , a battery measuring bridge  103  is placed, to the taps of which an eleventh battery test switch  104  and a twelfth battery test switch  105  are connected. The eleventh battery test switch  104  and the twelfth battery test switch  105  can be actuated with the third battery control module  33 . The eleventh battery test switch  104 , with its further connection, contacts the positive tap  68  and the twelfth battery test switch  105  correspondingly contacts the negative tap  69 . 
     In each case a first load test main switch  106 , a second load test main switch  107 , a third load test main switch  108  and a fourth load test main switch  109 , which can be activated with the load test main control module  38  for carrying out a load test in the load test setting  36  of the test selection switch unit  17  in the appropriate setting of the load test switch module  37 , are connected parallel to the third battery test switch  95 , the fourth battery test switch  96 , the fifth battery test switch  97  and the sixth battery test switch  98 . Furthermore, a fifth load test main switch  110  is placed in the positive load lead  74  and a sixth load test main switch  111  is placed in the negative load lead  75  and can also be closed by the load test main control module  38 . 
     A first load test switch  112  is placed between the negative battery load lead  67  and the positive tap  68  and a second load test switch  113  is placed between the negative battery test lead  73  and the negative tap  69 . The first load test switch  112  and the second load test switch  113  can be connected at the appropriate setting of the load test switch module  37  with the first load test control module  39 . A third load test switch  114  and a fourth load test switch  115  are placed parallel to the eleventh battery test switch  104  and the twelfth battery test switch  105  and can be connected at the appropriate setting of the load test switch module  37  with the second load test control module  40 . Finally, a fifth load test switch  116  and a sixth load test switch  117  are placed parallel to the first battery test switched  93  and the second battery test switch  94  and can be connected at the appropriate setting of the load test switch module  37  with the third load test control module  41 . 
     For carrying out a charge controller test in the charge controller test setting  42  of the test selection switch unit  17 , the charge controller test connections  57  have a charge controller test connection  118 , which is connected over a first charge controller test main switch  119  with the connection of the positive solar generator lead  71  at the charge controller  12 . Correspondingly, a second charge controller test connection  120  and a second charge controller main switch  121  are connected to the connection of the negative solar generator lead  72  at the charge controller  12 , a third charge controller test connection  122  and a third charge controller test main switch  123  are connected to the connection of the positive battery test lead  64  at the charge controller  12 , a fourth charge controller test connection  124  and a fourth charge controller test main switch  125  are connected to the connection of the positive battery load lead  63  at the charge controller  12 , a fifth charge controller test connection  126  and a fifth charge controller test main switch  127  are connected to the connection of the negative battery load lead  67  at the charge controller  12 , a sixth charge controller test connection  128  and a sixth charge controller test main switch  129  are connected to the connection of the negative battery test lead  73  at the charge controller  12 , a seventh charge controller test connection  130  and a seventh charge controller test main switch  131  are connected to the connection of the positive load lead  74  at the charge controller  12  and an eighth charge controller test connection  132  and an eighth charge controller test main switch  133  are connected to the connection of the negative load lead  75  at the charge controller  12 . In the charge controller test position  42  of the test selection switch unit  17  as well as the corresponding settings of the charge controller test switch module  43 , the charge controller test main switches  119 ,  121 ,  123 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129 ,  131 ,  133  can be connected with the charge controller test main control module  44 . 
     FIG. 5 shows a functional second diagram of the self-testing unit  21  of the hand testing implement  1  of FIGS. 3 and 4. The self-testing unit  21  has a control test switch module  134 , which can be actuated over the control self-testing connection  52 . The self-testing control connections  23  are connected to the outputs of the control test switch module  134 . The first solar generator test control module  26  for testing the proper mode of functioning can be treated with a first self-testing control connection  135 . For the purpose of testing the function, the second solar generator test control module can be actuated with a second self-testing control connection  136  and the third solar generator test control module  28  can be actuated with a third self-testing control connection  137 . With a fourth self-testing control connection  138 , the third battery test control module  33  as well as the cascaded further battery test control modules  31 ,  32  can be tested for proper functioning. With a fifth self-testing control connection  139 , with a six self-testing control connection  140  and with a seventh self-testing control connection  141 , the first load test control module  39 , the second load test control module  40  and the third load test control module  41  can be checked together with the load test main control module  38 . With an eighth control test connection  142 , a ninth self-testing control connection  143  and a tenth self-testing control connection  144 , the first charge controller control module  45 , the second charge controller control test module  46  and the third charge controller control module  47  can be checked together with the charge controller main control module  44 . 
     The functioning test of the self-testing control module  25  takes place automatically in the self-testing setting  22  of the test selection switch unit  17  by starting the self-test itself. The functional testing of the first battery test control module  31  and of the second battery test control module  32 , which are cascaded with the third battery test control module  33 , takes place by testing the function of the third battery test control module  33 . Correspondingly, the functional testing of the first load test main control module  38 , with which the load test control modules  39 ,  40 ,  41  are connected in series, and the functional testing of the charge controller test main control module  44 , which is connected in series with the charge controller test control modules  45 ,  46 ,  47 , take place over the functional testing of the load test control modules  39 ,  40 ,  41  and the charge controller test control modules  45 ,  46 ,  47 , which have been connected in series. 
     Furthermore, the self-testing unit  21  of FIG. 5 has a switch test switch module  145 , which is connected to the switch test control connection  51 . A ninth solar generator test switch  146  is connect to the outputs of the switch test switch module  145 , as well as at the positive battery connection  58  and can be closed over the first self-test control connection  135  with the first solar generator test control module  26 . Correspondingly, a tenth solar generator test switch  147 , which can be connected with the second solar generator test control module  27  that can be actuated over the second self-testing control connection  136 , can be closed with the second solar generator test control module  27 , which actuated over the second self-testing control connection  136 , can be activated over the switch test switch module  145 . Finally, an eleventh solar generator test switch  148  is provided, which can be closed over the third self-testing control connection  137  by means of the third solar generator test control module  28 . 
     A thirteenth battery test switch  149 , a fourteenth battery test switch  150  and a fifteenth battery test switch  151 , which can be connected over the fourth self-testing control connection  138  with the cascaded battery test control modules  31 ,  32 ,  33  when triggering the third battery test control module  33 , can be activated at the appropriate setting of the control test module  134  consecutively over appropriate settings of the switch test switch module  145 . A seventh load test main switch  152  as well as a seventh load test switch  153 , an eighth load test switch  154  as well as a ninth load test switch  155  can be closed over the load test main control module  38  and the load test control modules  39 ,  40 ,  41 , which can be actuated over the fifth self-testing control connection  139 , the sixth self-testing control connection  140  and the seventh self-testing control connection  141 . 
     Correspondingly, a ninth charge controller test main switch  156  and a first charge controller test switch  157 , a second charge controller test switch  158  and a third charge controller test switch  159 , which can be actuated by the eighth self-testing control connection  142 , the ninth self-testing control connection  143  and the tenth self-testing control connection  144  over the charge controller test main control module  44  and the charge controller test control modules  45 ,  46 ,  47 , can be connected over the switch test switch module  145  with the positive voltage measuring tap  60 . 
     Finally, a ninth self-testing switch  160  is provided, which can be closed over the self-testing switch module  25  in the self-testing setting  22  of the test selection switch unit  17 . 
     For carrying out the self-test, the control test switch module  134  and the switch test switch module  145  can be triggered by the control unit  48  so that, when the switch modules  26  to  28 ,  31  to  33 ,  38  to  41 ,  44  to  47 , connected to the self-testing control connections  23 ,  135  to  144 , are acted upon, the self-testing module  25 , triggered in the self-testing position  22  of the test selection switching unit  17 , can be activated and the proper mode of functioning of the test switches  146  to  160 , which can be interrogated over the switch test switch module  145 , can be tested for proper functioning by checking the display of the dc voltage meter  70 . By these means, it is ensured that the associated switch modules  25  to  28 ,  31  to  33 ,  38  to  41 ,  44  to  47  function properly. 
     FIG. 6 shows the construction of the control unit  48  of the hand testing implement  1  of FIGS. 3 and 4 in a functional circuit diagram. The control unit  48 , for example, has a central module  161 , which is constructed, for example, as a so-called microcontroller and is connected over a dc voltage converter  162  to the positive battery connection  58  and the negative battery connection  59  to the external power supply with an essentially constant dc voltage even when the voltage of the battery  7  fluctuates. Furthermore, the control test switch module  134  or the switch test switch module  145  of the self-testing unit  21  can be triggered with the central module  161  over the switch test control connection  51  or the self-testing control connection  52 . Furthermore, the individual test control connections  49  can be activated with the central module  161 , it being possible to actuate the solar generator test switch module  29  over a solar generator single test control connection  163  in the solar generator test setting  30  of the test selection unit  17 . Correspondingly, over a battery single test control connection  164 , a load single test control connection  165  or a charge controller single test control connection  166  in the battery test setting  34 , the load test setting  36  or the charge controller test setting  42  of the test selection switch unit  17 , the battery test switch module  35 , the load test switch module  37  and the charge controller test switch module  43  can be activated in the appropriate settings. 
     The actual setting of the test selection switch unit  17  can be supplied over the test selection status connection  50  to the central module  161 . Furthermore, over the voltage measurement value connection  53 , the central module  161  can be acted upon with the dc voltage values measured by the dc voltage meter  70  at the taps  68 ,  69 . The central module  161  is connected over the display bus lead  54  with the liquid crystal display  18  for indicating, for example, parameters and operating states of the hand testing implement  1 . Data, taken up or produced by the charge controller test unit  55 , can be supplied over the charge controller test bus connection  56  to the central module  161 . Furthermore, the deep-discharging protection display  19  and the overload protection display  20 , which are constructed, for example, as light-emitting diodes, are connected to the central module  161 . Within the scope of the self-test, a tenth self-testing switch  168 , which is connected to the positive output voltage of the dc voltage converter  162  and, over a protective resistance  167 , with the central module  161  and which can be actuated over the self-testing control module  25 , checks the functioning of the central module  161 . 
     FIG. 7 shows the construction of the charge controller test unit  55  of the hand testing implement  1  of FIG. 3 in a functional circuit diagram. The charge controller test unit  55  is connected to the battery connections  58 ,  59  with a dc voltage converter  169  for externally supplying electrical energy of a constant dc voltage even when the voltage of battery  7  fluctuates. The outputs of the dc voltage converter  169  of the charge controller test unit  55  are supplied to a protective logic module  170 , a fourth charge controller test switch  171  being placed between the positive output of the dc voltage converter  169  and an input of the protective logic module  170 . Furthermore, a first charge controller measuring bridge  172 , which is connected in series with the fourth charge controller test switch  171  and the outputs of which are connected with the protective logic module  170 , is placed at the positive output of the dc voltage converter  169  of the charge controller test unit  55 . 
     Furthermore, the seventh charge controller test connection  130  and the eighth charge controller test connection  132 , which are contacted with the connection of the positive load lead  74  or the negative load lead  75  at the charge controller  12 , are connected to the protective logic module  170 . The first charge controller test connection  118  and the second charge controller test connection  120 , which are connected with the respective connections of the positive solar generator lead  71  and the negative solar generator lead  72  to the charge controller  12 , are also connected with the inputs of the protective logic module  170  contacting the dc voltage converter  169  of the charge controller test unit  55 . 
     Furthermore, a source of constant current  173  of the charge controller unit  55  is applied to the battery connections  58 ,  59  and, on the one hand, supplies the temperature sensor  15  permanently with electric energy. A fourth charge controller test switch  174  and a fifth charge controller test switch  175 , which can be connected with the first charge controller test control module  45  in an output lead of the constant current source  173  are connected in series with the connections of the temperature sensor  15  at the constant current source  173 . The further output of the fourth charge controller test switch  174  is connected with the positive voltage measurement tap  60 , to which furthermore a sixth charge controller test switch  176  and a seventh charge controller test switch  177  are connected. The further connection of the fifth charge controller test switch  175  is placed at the negative voltage measurement tap  61 , at which furthermore an eighth charge controller test switch  178  and a ninth charge controller test switch  179  are contacted. The seventh charge controller test switch  177  and the eighth charge controller test switch  178  can be activated over the second charge controller test control module  46 , while the sixth charge controller test switch  176  and the ninth charge controller test switch  179  can be closed over the third charge controller test control module  47 . 
     Between the further connections of the seventh charge controller test switch  177  and the eighth charge controller test switch  178 , the outputs of a second charge controller measurement bridge  180  are placed, which at the input side are connected, on the one hand, with the fourth charge controller test connection  124 , which is connected with the sixth charge controller test switch  176  and, on the other, over a reference voltage source  181 , adjustable by means of the voltage input unit  16  over the operating voltage range of the battery  7  of, for example, about 10 volts to about 16 volts with the further connection of the ninth charge controller test switch  179 , which is connected to the fifth charge controller test connection  126  as well as to the sixth charge controller test connection  128 . Between the positive battery connection  58  as well as the dc voltage converter  169  of the charge controller test unit  55  and the source  173  of constant current, a fourth charge controller test main switch  182  is provided, which can be connected with the charge controller test main control module  44  in order to activate the charge controller test unit  55  in the charge controller test setting  42  of the test selection switch unit  17 . 
     In the arrangement of FIG. 1, the components  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  12  of the solar installation can be checked individually and in typical operational connections as follows with the hand testing implement  1  explained by means of FIGS. 2 to  7 . After the test selection switch unit  17  is changed over from the switched-off setting  62  into the self-testing setting  22 , the central module  161 , controlled by means of the self-testing unit  21  over the self-testing control connection  51  and the self-testing control connection  52 , checks whether the control modules  25  to  28 ,  31  to  33 ,  38  to  41 ,  44  to  47  are functioning properly by checking the proper closing of the test switches  146  to  160  by means of the display of voltage values on the liquid crystal display  18 . 
     In the solar generator test setting  29  of the test selection switch unit  17 , in the setting of the solar generator test switch module  30  activating the first solar generator test control module  26 , the open circuit voltage of the solar generator  6  is measured. In the setting of the solar generator test switch module  30 , activating the second solar generator test control module  27 , the short circuit current is determined and, in the setting of the solar generator test switch module  30  activating the third solar generator test switch module  28 , the actual radiation power per surface unit of solar radiation, the so-called irradiation, existing at the time of the two last-mentioned checks, is determined over the reference solar generator  14 . 
     In the battery test setting  34  of the test selection switch unit  17 , in a setting of the battery test switch module  35  activating only the first battery test control module  31 , the open circuit voltage of the battery  7  is measured. In the setting of the battery switch module  35 , additionally activating the second battery test control module  32 , the voltage of the battery  7  is measured when the solar generator  6  is connected. In the setting of the battery test switch module  35 , activating in addition to the first battery test control module  31  and the second battery control module  32  also the third battery test control module  33 , the battery current is measured when the solar generator is connected. In the setting of the battery test switch module  35 , activating the third solar generator test control module  28 , the irradiation in the case of the last named battery test, namely the battery current when the solar generator  6  is connected, is measured over the reference solar generator  14 . 
     In the load test setting  36  of the test selection switch unit  17  in the setting of the load test switch module  37 , activating the load test main control module  38  as well as the first load test control module  39 , the voltage can be detected over the load  8 . In the setting of the load test switch module  37 , activating the load test main control module  38  as well as the second load test control module  40 , the current, flowing through the load  8 , can be measured. In the setting of the load test switch module  37 , activating the load test main control module  38  as well as the third load test control module  41 , the associated voltage of the battery  7  can finally be checked. 
     In the charge controller test setting  42  of the test selection switch unit  17 , in the setting of the charge controller switch module  43 , activating the charge controller test main control module  44  as well as the first charge controller test control module  45 , the surrounding temperature can be detected. In the setting of the charge controller test control module  43 , activating the charge controller test main control module  44  as well as the second load controller test control module  46 , the intrinsic consumption of the charge controller can be detected. In the setting of the charge controller test switch module  43 , activating the charge controller test main control module  44  as well as the third charge controller test control module  47 , all switching thresholds of the charge controller  12 , namely for the deep-discharging protection and the overload protection can be checked finally by means of the protective logic module  170  over the setting of the reference voltage source  181 . 
     It is obvious that the inventive apparatus, especially in the refinements, given by way of examples of fig. 1 to fig. 7, can also be realized integrated microelectronically and using, at least partially, application programs for carrying out the functions, without leaving the scope of the invention.