Types of Solar Cables

The systems that create solar power are called photovoltaic (PV) systems. The most recognizable part of a photovoltaic system, the solar panel, is the mechanism that converts the sun's energy into usable electric current. However, these power systems don't rely on solar panels alone. Specialized solar cables play an important role in getting green energy going! There are three main types of solar cables used as a power supply cable in solar power systems: PV Wire, USE-2 Wire, and THHN Wire. These three wires having varying constructions, making them suitable for different uses.

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What is PV Wire?

Solar Panel PV Wire is a very popular solar power cable. This cable is used for interconnection wiring in photovoltaic systems. Most PV Wire features XLPE insulation and either bare or tinned copper conductors. This XLPE insulation makes the wire ozone, UV, sunlight, and moisture resistant. PV Wire is an extremely durable cable, designed specifically to withstand the environmental conditions of solar power applications.

It has a maximum temperature of +90°C in wet environments and +150°C in dry applications. It comes with varying voltage ratings, with either 600V, V, or V ratings. PV Wire can be used as an underground service entrance wire and is appropriate for both grounded and ungrounded PV arrays. These solar cables are also suitable for use in direct burial applications due to their thick insulation. PV Wire meets UL Standard .

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What is USE 2 Wire?

USE-2 Wire is another type of solar cable. It is an Underground Service Wire, meaning it is designed for and should only be used in grounded PV arrays. USE-2 Wire also features XLPE insulation and is available with a bare copper, tinned copper, or aluminum conductor. It is also often dual-rated as RHW/RHH Wire. This wire shares the high heat resistance of RHH wire and the water-resistance of RHW wire. This solar cable is crush, oil, gas, and impact-resistant. USE-2 wire also has a voltage rating of 600V and a temperature rating of 90°C in both wet or dry conditions. Because of this, it is ideal for more industrial applications.

While USE-2 solar cable is crush and impact-resistant, PV wire has thicker insulation and jacket. PV Wire also has better sunlight resistance, flame resistance, and flexibility at low temperatures. This makes PV wire the best choice for ungrounded PV arrays that encounter harsher weather conditions.

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What is THHN Wire?

THHN wire is also commonly used in solar applications. It is a building wire used to carry electrical currents through power applications. Like USE-2 wire, THHN wire has a voltage rating of 600V and a maximum temperature of +90ºC in dry locations. However, it only has a maximum temperature of +75ºC in wet locations. Because of this, it should never be used in applications that specifically call for USE-2 or PV wire.

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If a standard specifically calls for USE-2 or PV Wire, THHN wire cannot be used. These standards account for the extra strength and resistances found in PV and USE-2 Wire constructions. While THHN wire serves virtually the same purpose as these wires, its construction doesn't account for the severe conditions of solar power applications. Using THHN wire in these applications may result in a system failure.

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Conductor Insulation Voltage Rating Max. Temperature UL Styles PV Wire Bare or Tinned Copper XLPE 600V, V, or V 105°C Dry, 90°C Wet UL44, UL USE-2 Wire Aluminum, Bare or Tinned Copper XLPE 600V 90°C Dry and Wet UL44, UL854 THHN Wire Bare Copper PVC 600V 90°C Dry, 75°C Wet UL83, UL

As you can see, these different types of solar power cables each have their own benefits. They are all found in a generator, solar charge controller, and service grid. However, these wires must be chosen carefully because of their construction differences. All of these cables are also available in RoHS compliant versions. RoHS compliance means that the cable is free of hazardous substances, making it even greener! Choosing renewable energy cables with non-hazardous materials puts an environmentally friendly cable in an environmentally friendly application. It doesn't get much better than that!

Why we need solar cable

Having so many environmental problems, because of the waste of natural resources and not taking care of nature, the earth is becoming dried out, and the mankind seeks the ways to find alternative ways, the alternative power energy is already found and is called Solar Energy, gradually Solar photovoltaic industry is getting more and more attention as within time their prices go down and a lot of people considers solar energy as an alternative one for their offices or house power. They find it cheap, clean and reliable. On the background of the increased interest towards the Solar energy, it is expected to increase the demand on solar cables that consists of tinned copper, 1.5mm, 2.5mm, 4.0mm and etc. will be described a bit later. The solar cables are the current transmission mediums of solar energy power generation. They are nature-friendly and much safer than its predecessors. They are interconnecting solar panels.

Solar cable benefits

Solar cables have a lot of benefits besides being nature-friendly they stand out among others with durability that lasts around 30 years regardless of the weather condition, temperatures and they are ozone resistant. Solar cables are protected against ultraviolet rays. It is characterized with low smoke emission, less toxicity, and corrosivity in the fire. Solar cables can withstand flames and fire, they can be easily installed and they are recycled without problems as modern regulations about environment require. Their different colors enable their fast identification.

Solar Cable Production Process

Solar cables are made of tinned copper, solar cable 4.0mm, solar cable 6.0mm, solar cable 16.0mm, solar cable cross-linked Polyolefin Compound and zero halogen polyolefin compound.All the above should be envisaged to produce nature friendly so called green energy cables. When producing them, they should feature the following: weather resistant, resistant to mineral oils and acids and alkaline. Its maximum conductor temperature of operation should be 120Cͦ for 20 000 hours, minimum should be -40ͦC. As for electrical features, they should possess the following: voltage rating1.5 (1.8) KV DC / 0.6/1.0 (1.2) KV AC, high-6.5 KV DC for 5 minutes.

Solar cables should also be resistant to impact, abrasion and tear, its minimum bending radius should be not more than 4 times of overall diameter. It should be characterized by its safe pulling force--50 N/sqmm.The cable's insulation must withstand thermal and mechanical loads, and accordingly plastics been cross-linked are increasingly used today, they not only withstand severe weather conditions and are suitable for outdoor usage, but also are salt water resistant, and due to the halogen-free flame resistant cross-linked jacket material they can be used indoors in dry conditions.

Envisaging the above information solar energy and its main source solar cables are very safe, durable, resistant to environmental impacts and very reliable. What is more important they will do no harm to the environment and there is no fear that there will be the power cut off or some other problems, what the majority of the population is facing during power provision problems. No matter what, houses or offices will have a guaranteed current and they will not be interrupted during working, no time is wasted, not much money is spent and no hazardous fumes are emitted during its working causing so much damage to heat and to nature.

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