OBO Bettermann — V20 PV surge protection, 1,000 V DC (item 5094608)
A Type 2 three-pole PV arrester with a stated five-year warranty and a “Y-circuit” design — but no remote contact on the version we read.
Reviewed 6 October 2026 · verdict on public record, hard specs awaiting a sourced feed
OBO Bettermann’s V20 PV surge protector (item 5094608, listed as V20-C 3-PH-1000) is a plug-in Type 2 device for DC photovoltaic circuits up to 1,000 V. It lists a maximum continuous voltage of 1,000 V DC, a protection level below 4.0 kV at the maximum open-circuit voltage, a nominal discharge current of 20 kA and a maximum of 40 kA (both 8/20 µs).
It is a three-pole unit in what the maker calls an error-resistant Y circuit to VDE 0100-712, with a visual status display. The standards listed include EN 50539-11 (the PV-specific SPD standard), VDE 0100-712, VDE 0100-443 and IEC 60364-4-44; the page also cites IEC 61643-11 / EN 61643-11 for the Class II / Type 2 classification.
It mounts on 35 mm DIN rail, takes 2.5–35 mm² rigid conductors, has an IP20 rating and a stated operating range of −40 °C to +80 °C, and is suitable for the LPZ 1→2 lightning-protection-zone transition. OBO states a five-year warranty on the page; the page lists no remote-signalling contact.
For Installers & Engineers
Deeper technical detail beyond the homeowner-facing summary above.
The “Y circuit” in a PV arrester is a way of connecting the protective elements between the two poles and earth. The page calls it “error-resistant” but gives no detail on how it behaves when an element fails, so read OBO’s full datasheet before specifying.
Protection level is quoted at maximum open-circuit voltage (<4.0 kV), a different test condition from CITEL’s 3.6 kV at In. Compare each against your inverter’s DC-input surge withstand rather than against each other.
There is no remote contact, so a tripped module is only visible on the status display. In an unattended plant consider a model with signalling or a periodic inspection routine.
This is an IP20, DIN-rail device for a distributor housing; a Type 2 arrester like this is sized for surges on the wiring, not for direct lightning current.
The Scorecard
How we scoreStandards & Safety Compliance
Lists the PV-specific EN 50539-11 and relevant installation standards; the page does not show a certification body mark or any India approval.
Build Quality & Durability
−40 °C to +80 °C range and a defined 20/40 kA rating; IP20, so the enclosure provides weather protection.
Fit & Ease of Use
Plug-in DIN-rail unit with a visual status display, but no remote contact and the detail of the Y circuit sits in a separate datasheet.
Documentation, Warranty & Support
A stated five-year warranty and a linked datasheet; dimensions and short-circuit data are not on the product page itself.
Value for Money
Not assessed — we have not sourced a current India price.
Strengths
- 20 kA In / 40 kA Imax, protection level under 4.0 kV at Voc max of 1,000 V
- Lists the PV-specific EN 50539-11 plus VDE 0100-712 and IEC 60364-4-44 installation rules
- Five-year warranty stated on the product page
- −40 °C to +80 °C operating range; 2.5–35 mm² terminals
Watch-outs
- No remote-signalling contact on the version we read
- IP20 — needs a weatherproof distributor housing
- Product page cites AC-oriented IEC/EN 61643-11 for the type classification; the PV-specific standard is EN 50539-11
- Dimensions, response time and short-circuit rating were not in the page content we retrieved; no India approval stated
Datasheet Specifications
| Type / classification | Type 2 (EN 61643-11) / Class II (IEC 61643-11) PV arrester · 3-pole |
|---|---|
| Maximum continuous voltage | 1,000 V DC |
| Protection level | Up < 4.0 kV at Voc max 1,000 V DC |
| Discharge currents (8/20 µs) | In 20 kA · Imax 40 kA |
| Standards listed | EN 50539-11 · VDE 0100-712 · VDE 0100-443 · IEC 60364-4-44 · DIN EN 61643-11 |
| Circuit / indicator | “Error-resistant Y circuit” (VDE 0100-712) · visual status display · no remote contact |
| Enclosure / mounting | IP20 · 35 mm DIN rail · LPZ 1→2 |
| Temperature / terminals | −40 °C to +80 °C · 2.5–35 mm² rigid |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| India approval / short-circuit rating | Not found on the product page as retrieved |
Specifications marked “datasheet-stated” are manufacturer figures we have not independently measured. Always confirm the exact model on its current datasheet before purchase.
Open the manufacturer’s datasheet for OBO Bettermann V20 PV surge protection, 1,000 V DC (item 5094608)Who It’s For
- Installers who want a PV-rated Type 2 arrester with a stated warranty for a 1,000 V DCDB
- Designs working to VDE/IEC 60364 installation rules for PV surge protection
- Teams comparing SPD options who will check the full PDF datasheet
Our Verdict
A credible Type 2 PV arrester with a good warranty statement. Download OBO’s full datasheet before specifying — the product page omits the short-circuit rating and dimensions — and add monitoring or inspection since there is no remote contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nominal discharge current of the OBO V20 PV arrester?
The product page lists 20 kA nominal (8/20 µs) and 40 kA maximum, with a protection level below 4.0 kV at the maximum open-circuit voltage of 1,000 V DC.
Does the OBO V20 have a remote fault contact?
Not on the version we read: the page lists a visual status display and states “Remote contact: No”.
What warranty does OBO give on the V20?
The product page states a five-year warranty.
Data Provenance
- Verified on
- 6 October 2026
- ALMM status
- Unknown — verify directly
- Source datasheet
- View official manufacturer datasheet
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