Cables in low temperatures

[prof. popkiss]

Hello all.

I wondered if anyone could advise whether or not DC cables can be damaged by bending in low temperatures? There are some installers on the roof at the moment who are re-routing cables (Clymer Solaflex) and it's -4 degrees C. I understand that PVC cables can be damaged by working in freezing weather, but there doesn't seem to be any information on the manufacturer's website about the composition of or installation precautions with this cable.

 

[danesol]

Any solid core cable bent too much will be damaged, iirc cold only makes this situation worse......... if handled with care should be OK, but I wonder why installers even want to work in such temps - are they mad - lol

 

[danesol]

You would really need to know the current cold rating of the cable been used - if in doubt call the manufacturer direct

As per this instruction - Instruction 3.1 ( Installation temperature )
http://www.generalcable.com/nr/rdon...5a9adfa2974/0/gccableinstallmanual_final2.pdf

 

[prof. popkiss]

Any solid core cable bent too much will be damaged, iirc cold only makes this situation worse......... if handled with care should be OK, but I wonder why installers even want to work in such temps - are they mad - lol

Probably. They're not even aware of the need to secure the cables properly and were quite happy to leave them resting on the concrete roof tiles, until I insisted that they tywrap them to the mounting rails.

 

[prof. popkiss]

You would really need to know the current cold rating of the cable been used - if in doubt call the manufacturer direct

As per this instruction - Instruction 3.1 ( Installation temperature )
http://www.generalcable.com/nr/rdon...5a9adfa2974/0/gccableinstallmanual_final2.pdf

Thanks for your advice. I rang Clynder cables, who seemed to think that it was OK to handle their PV cables down to -20 degrees C. I'm not convinced, especially having read the document to which you kindly provided a link. It advises an installation temperature of at least 15 degrees C above the 'cold bend temperature', whatever that may be. I've e-mailed Clynder for a spec sheet to try and find out what this is.