What is your preferred method of getting your DC cables into the roof void

[seprim]

Hi
I am about to start my first installation and I am thinking about how to run dc cables from the modules into say. . a roof void. I think I would ok with a 20/25 mm plastic conduit through the soffet and into the roof space that way, but I have reservations about the cable/conduit lasting 25 years wrt direct UV radiation breaking it down.

I was wondering how you guys do yours.

Andrew

 

[Markc]

Under a tile and through an over lap in the felt. Nibble a grove to the underside of the tile just enough for the DC cables and sticky Lead flashing over cable entry point. Koppex the DC cables within the loft. Make sure to label the DC cables accordingly. Koppex is not a reg or rule just looks good.

 

[andyemms]

I use a length of 16mm oval conduit between the roof tiles and go up between the overlap of roofing felt.

 

[MorganPVI]

Vent tile or the newish solar cable entry way.

Under a tile is not our prefered method due to the likelyhood of the wind (over time) eroading the insulatation due to friction - even if you cable tie it and think it's fixed it will rub over time.

 

[SRE]

We use ead flexi tile under the panels, feed the cables through the top hat.

 

[DickiePhitt]

One of the companies I had in to quote wants to route the DC cables under the array (above the tiles) and down the outside wall then through the garage to the main CU, connecting in using an unused way on an existing RCD.

Quite apart from the aethetics I'd never consider this a professional way to do the job and he wont be getting my business. Am I right. or missing something?

 

[daytona600]

decent pv cable should last 25years UV , but agree conduit gives mechanical protection and looks nice

 

[BruceB]

As ever, it depend on the circumstances. If the alternative is internal trunking or knocking about a nicely decorated Georgian town house in Bath then running down an outside wall can be a good option.
Regards
Bruce

 

[DickiePhitt]

No, there's a simple 'invisible' route internally where I ran ethernet so I think its just 'quick in and out'

 

[BruceB]

Your installer ought to be reluctant to run dc cables and ethernet along the same route unless there is something physically separating them.

 

[DickiePhitt]

He didin't even look inside the house - just said he'd run DC over the tiles and down the house side. Take your pount on the ethernet though

 

[CG_Sparks]

This might help http://www.klober.co.uk/, click on SOLARLINE - it's a special roof tile designed for putting dc cables through the roof and making a water tight seal. universal for all pan tiles and slate roofs

 

[mydigitalhome]

This is our preferred method into the roof space or in conduit down outside of house. Yes I know the tile is not sat correctly before someone mentions it!

 

[moggy1968]

we use the solardek flashing on plain tiles or slate. On pantile (or other wibbly wobbly tiles, sorry I'm not a roofer!) I use 2 pieces of lead to sandwich the cables, with the edge lapped over to make it smooth and take the nib off the back of the tile to create a little bit of space.



We then pass the cable through the overlap on the felt. I would never punch a hole in the felt as I have seen some do.

It is a requirement of the regs that your cable entry doesn't damage the integrity of the roof and that the cables are protected from chaffing

I would never run DC inside the house except in the loft or surface mounted in trunking or conduit. I definately wouldn't bury it in a wall (partition or solid) or run it under floors.

 

[Eco Deal]

I used to use this method