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Sep 01, 2025

Ten Reasons To Choose RHW-2 Cable For Photovoltaic Projects

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Contents
  1. RHW-2 Cable Overview
    1. Cable Structure and Materials
    2. Primary Applications
  2. RHW-2 Cable Specifications and Application Scenarios
  3. Ten Reasons to Choose RHW-2 Cable
    1. Excellent Weather Resistance
    2. Stable Performance in High Temperatures
    3. Reliable in Humid Environments
    4. Outstanding Insulation and Electrical Performance
    5. Longer Service Life
    6. UL Certified, Compliant with International Standards
    7. Suitable for Direct Burial and Conduit Installation
    8. Flexible Installation
    9. Balanced Economy and Performance
    10. Wide Application Scenarios
  4. Comparison with UL 4703
  5. Product and Service Advantages
    1. Professional UL Wire and Cable Manufacturing
    2. Compliance with North American Market Standards
    3. Complete Range of Sizes
    4. Strong Delivery Capacity
    5. Comprehensive Support Services
    6. Extensive International Experience
    7. UL Certification Ensures Quality
    8. Full Color Options and Customization
  6. Company Information

With the rapid development of global renewable energy, especially the photovoltaic industry, the scale of solar projects is growing, placing higher demands on cable performance and reliability. Cables in photovoltaic systems must withstand high temperatures, UV exposure, and humid environments while providing long service life and excellent electrical performance to ensure safe, stable, and efficient operation. Choosing the right cable is a critical factor for project success.

RHW-2 cables, with their superior weather resistance, high-temperature stability, adaptability to humid conditions, and UL certification, have become a preferred choice for solar projects in North America and worldwide. This article details ten reasons why RHW-2 cables are ideal for photovoltaic projects, including practical application scenarios and a comparison with UL 4703 photovoltaic cables, helping customers make informed decisions for different projects.

Keywords: RHW-2 cable, photovoltaic cable, UL wire, solar project cable, North America market, solar power wiring

RHW-2 Cable Overview

Cable Structure and Materials

RHW-2 cables consist mainly of conductors and insulation:

  • Conductor: Made of high-purity soft copper (or aluminum), available in solid or stranded configurations, ensuring excellent conductivity and flexibility for long-term stable electrical performance.
  • Insulation: Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) provides heat resistance, moisture resistance, and corrosion resistance, maintaining high dielectric strength and preventing electrical breakdown under high temperatures.
  • Jacket: Typically, XLPE itself serves as the protective layer, allowing the cable to perform reliably outdoors and in wet environments without an additional jacket.

Primary Applications

RHW-2 cables are widely used in photovoltaic systems and power distribution, including:

  • Rooftop solar systems: Residential, commercial, and industrial rooftops.
  • Ground-mounted solar farms: For feeder lines, inverter connections, and grid tie lines.
  • Industrial, port, and airport projects: Providing high-current transmission solutions.
  • Direct burial and conduit installations: Maintains electrical performance even when buried underground in humid environments.

RHW-2 cables are recognized in North America and comply with NEC (National Electrical Code) and UL standards, making them a reliable choice for solar system wiring.

RHW-2 Cable

RHW-2 Cable Specifications and Application Scenarios

Selecting the appropriate cable size is crucial for stable operation in solar projects. The table below shows common RHW-2 cable sizes and their typical applications:

Size (AWG/kcmil) Conductor Area (mm²) Current Rating (90℃) Typical Application
14 AWG 2.08 20A Small residential rooftop branch circuits, low-power inverter input
10 AWG 5.26 40A Branch circuits, inverter input, small commercial rooftop branches
8 AWG 8.37 55A Medium rooftop solar, commercial distributed generation circuits
6 AWG 13.3 75A Feeder lines from combiner box to inverter, medium solar station branches
4 AWG 21.2 95A Ground-mounted solar farm main lines, commercial and industrial feeder circuits
2 AWG 33.6 130A Feeder lines, grid tie connections, mining project power supply
1/0 AWG 53.5 170A Industrial solar plants, large commercial rooftop systems
4/0 AWG 107 230A Large-scale solar farm main lines, high-power grid connections
350 kcmil 177 310A Airports, ports, and very large solar farm feeders
500 kcmil 253 380A Extra-large solar farm collector lines, high-current applications

Selection Guidelines:

  • Residential solar: 10–8 AWG for low-current branch circuits.
  • Commercial buildings: 6–2 AWG for feeder and branch circuits.
  • Ground-mounted solar farms: 1/0–500 kcmil for high-current, high-power requirements.
  • Special projects: Airports, ports, and mining projects require 350–500 kcmil for stable operation.

RHW-2 Cable

Ten Reasons to Choose RHW-2 Cable

  • Excellent Weather Resistance

RHW-2 cables feature XLPE insulation with outstanding UV and moisture resistance. They maintain stable performance even under long-term exposure to sunlight, rain, and humid environments. Compared with THW cables, RHW-2 is better suited for outdoor solar installations, especially in North American solar farms.

  • Stable Performance in High Temperatures

RHW-2 operates safely at 90℃ continuous and 125℃ short-term overload temperatures, ideal for hot climates such as deserts in North America. Compared with XHHW-2, RHW-2 performs better in humid and direct-burial conditions, making it versatile for various solar projects.

  • Reliable in Humid Environments

RHW-2 can be directly buried underground or installed in wet conduits while maintaining electrical performance. Compared with RHH cables, RHW-2 has superior performance in wet locations, reducing system maintenance costs.

  • Outstanding Insulation and Electrical Performance

XLPE insulation provides high dielectric strength and resistance to electrical breakdown, ensuring safe and stable operation of photovoltaic systems. Compared to THHN or THWN, RHW-2 offers better weather resistance and overall performance for outdoor and direct-burial applications.

  • Longer Service Life

RHW-2 cables can last over 30 years, maintaining flexibility and insulation integrity under long-term exposure to sunlight, moisture, and mechanical stress, minimizing replacement and maintenance costs.

  • UL Certified, Compliant with International Standards

RHW-2 complies with UL and CSA standards, enabling seamless use in North America. Compared to UL 4703, RHW-2 has broader applicability for wiring, feeders, and power distribution, while UL 4703 is mainly for module-to-module connections.

  • Suitable for Direct Burial and Conduit Installation

RHW-2 can be buried directly underground, resisting soil moisture and mechanical stress, ideal for large-scale solar farm feeder lines. In contrast, UL 4703 is not recommended for direct burial.

  • Flexible Installation

RHW-2's high flexibility allows easy installation, reducing labor costs and installation time, especially in rooftops, combiner boxes, and inverter connections.

  • Balanced Economy and Performance

RHW-2 provides a cost-effective solution compared to THHN/THWN-2, especially in large ground-mounted solar farms. Its long service life and low maintenance costs enhance the overall project economy.

  • Wide Application Scenarios

RHW-2 is suitable for residential, commercial rooftop solar, solar farm feeders, industrial projects, airports, and ports. Its reliability in various environments makes it the preferred cable for diverse photovoltaic projects.

Comparison with UL 4703

Feature RHW-2 Cable UL 4703 Photovoltaic Cable
Temperature Rating 90℃ continuous / 125℃ overload 90℃ continuous / 125℃ overload
UV Resistance Excellent Excellent
Wet Location Performance Excellent, suitable for direct burial Excellent, not suitable for direct burial
Insulation Material XLPE XLPE / Modified Materials
Application Range Solar wiring, power distribution, direct burial Module-to-module internal connections
Service Life Over 30 years 25–30 years
Cost Advantage Lower overall cost Higher due to specialized use

Summary: RHW-2 offers superior versatility, reliability, and cost-effectiveness for outdoor, direct burial, and power distribution applications, while UL 4703 is more specialized for module-level connections.

RHW-2 Cable

Product and Service Advantages

  • Professional UL Wire and Cable Manufacturing

We produce a full range of UL-certified cables, including THHN, THW, MC cable, AC cable, and RHW-2, meeting diverse market and project requirements.

  • Compliance with North American Market Standards

All cables meet UL/CSA certifications, ensuring smooth use in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

  • Complete Range of Sizes

From AWG 14 to 500 kcmil, covering residential, commercial, and large-scale solar farm current requirements.

  • Strong Delivery Capacity

Large-scale manufacturing enables both small and bulk order fulfillment with fast delivery, meeting EPC project timelines.

  • Comprehensive Support Services

Pre-sale technical selection guidance and post-sale application support ensure worry-free project implementation.

  • Extensive International Experience

Exported to over 30 countries with long-term cooperation with commercial buildings, airports, universities, and mining projects.

  • UL Certification Ensures Quality

UL-certified cables meet international quality and safety standards, ensuring market access.

  • Full Color Options and Customization

We offer customization of materials, sizes, lengths, colors, performance, labeling, and packaging, providing tailored solutions for every client.

Company Information

Dongguan Greater Wire & Cable Co., Ltd.

  • Tel/WhatsApp/Wechat: +86 135 1078 4550 / +86 136 6257 9592
  • Email: manager01@greaterwire.com
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