(C16) Electrical test of the solar array panels

After the integration of the Solar Array Pannels (SAP), an electrical test called "flood test" was performed today (27/05). The light of the S1B high bay was switched off. Then one SAP after the other is illuminated with a powerful lamp for a short period of time. As the spacecraft is switched on and there is no light in the room, the battery discharges. This sudden intense light causes a flow of current all over the panel and a slight modification of the battery discharge current. This test validates the proper installation, connection and the good working of the SAP. On the picture below, the cover protection over the SEVIRI panel has been removed to perform the electrical flood test (metaphor of water flood as the flow of current spread over the panel?).

Here below, one can see the full test set up with the lamp with low intensity,

Thales team performing the flood test on MSG-4 in dark S1B

...and then with the high intensity needed for the test.

For each panel, the flood test lasts few seconds just the time needed to check and record the electrical values as required by the procedure.