PV cable, I'm lost on which certificates are an absolute must, please advise

[skysparks]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and I am wondering if any of you guys can lend me some know how.
PV cable, 4mm2 and 6mm2. I have been asked for this by some customers. Their instalation companies are certified by the MCS.
The cable I can offer them is German and it is VDE certified and has all sorts of EN numbers
and IEC numbers and it is 25 year life cable.
Does any body know if it needs anything else in order to be used by an MCS company for government grants etc? Any advise would be great as I could do with ordering it in asap. Many thanks.

 

[dansk]

As long its double insulated DC cable and can withstand 80c it should be ok

 

[TedM]

As dansk says the minimum requirements are 80C, water resistant and UV protected. These are set out in section 2.1.4 of the PV installation guide - you can get a copy here: http://www.electriciansforums.net/photovoltaic-solar-panels-green-energy-forum/23511-pv-guide.html

Draka and Prysmian both market specialist pv cables:

http://www.drakauk.com/news/marketing/Draka-Solar-Cables-Corporate.pdf

http://www.prysmian.co.uk/export/si...ch/pdf/Tecsun_PV1-F_Cable_Germany_Low_Res.pdf

 

[skysparks]

Thanks for the advise chaps. That has put my mind a t some rest. However I keep being asked for TUV certification. I am under the impression that it must be TUV but all TUV is is a German cert body. Maybe the TUV is not needed yet?

 

[TedM]

There are no specific certification requirements for PV cable in either BS7671 or the PV Installation Guide.

MCS requires that all components used comply with overarching EC directives - see http://www.microgenerationcertifica...lations and European Directives 25 Feb 09.pdf

I don't think anything there requires the use of a certificated pv cable.

Draka and Prysmian can both supply TUV approved cable. http://www.tuvdotcom.com/pi/web/Tuv...ed=en-us&TUVdotCOMID=0000026261&sLand=&sLang=

 

[SibertSolar]

For the European market, certainly for module manufacturers, each sub-component of the assembly (junction box, cables, connectors etc) need to be TUV approved. The module manufacturer will submit their finished assembly to TUV for IEC testing and approval.

As has been mentioned, the key characteristics are 80degreeC withstand upper limit, double-insulated and UV resistant. Typically these type of wires are insulated with a cross-linked polyethylene polymer (XLPE) although some tri-rated PVC jacket wires are also used, I believe. Draka and Prysmian are both very well established European manufacturers. Lapp Kabel is another common source for suitable product.

Our junction box manufacturer (we support module manufacturers globally) provides us with fully TUV-approved (and UL approved for the North American market) assemblies that incorporate wire and connectors. We can also provide installers with pre-terminated (and TUV approved) extension cables and gender changers (combinations of MC3 and/or MC4 connectors).

Andy