As the global demand for renewable energy continues to increase, solar energy has become an important green energy source. Solar photovoltaic systems (PV) convert sunlight into electricity through solar panels and are widely used in homes, businesses and industries. In these systems, solar cables and solar wires are critical components responsible for transmitting the electricity generated by solar panels to inverters, battery storage systems and load devices. In order to ensure the long-term stability, reliability and safety of solar cables in harsh environments, certain international standards must be followed.
In the European market, the EN (European Norms) specifications for solar cables provide clear guidance for ensuring cable quality, performance and safety. These standards cover aspects such as cable design, manufacturing, material selection, performance requirements and application, ensuring that cables can operate reliably under various environmental conditions. This article will introduce the EN standards for solar cables and analyze in detail the cable standards and specifications related to solar photovoltaic systems.
1. Overview of EN standards for solar cables
EN (European Norms) standards are specifications developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) to unify the design, manufacturing and use requirements of products in the European market. Europe has a series of special EN standards for solar cables to ensure the safety, durability and electrical performance of these cables in photovoltaic systems.
The most important EN standards for cable selection for solar photovoltaic systems are EN 50618:2014 and EN 60228:2005. These standards ensure that solar cables can meet the predetermined performance requirements during installation, use and maintenance, and can work stably for a long time in different environments.
2. EN 50618:2014 Standard
2.1 Introduction to the Standard
"EN 50618:2014" is one of the most important standards for solar cables at present, and specifically defines the requirements for photovoltaic system cables. The standard covers the design, construction, performance, testing and certification of photovoltaic cables used for direct current (DC) current transmission.
According to the standard, the main requirements for solar cables include cable insulation performance, voltage level, temperature range, mechanical strength, UV resistance, etc. By being certified to this standard, solar cables can ensure efficient and safe operation under long-term outdoor exposure, UV exposure and various climatic conditions.
2.2 Standard Content
EN 50618:2014 mainly includes the following aspects:
Scope of application: This standard applies to cables used for direct current transmission in photovoltaic systems. It requires that the cables must be able to withstand conditions such as high temperature, ultraviolet rays, mechanical stress and environmental erosion.
Electrical performance: The standard specifies the electrical parameters of solar cables, including rated voltage, operating temperature range, insulation resistance, etc.
Material requirements: The standard requires that solar cables use high-quality materials that meet the regulations, such as insulation and sheath materials that are resistant to high temperatures, ultraviolet rays, and corrosion.
Weather resistance test: In order to ensure that photovoltaic cables can withstand the influence of the external environment for a long time, the EN 50618 standard requires that the cables must pass a series of environmental stress tests, including ultraviolet radiation, moisture, salt spray, etc.
Safety: The cables must meet relevant safety requirements to prevent electrical failures or fires. The standard requires that the cables can maintain a high level of safety when they are mechanically damaged, aged or overloaded.
2.3 Standard application
EN 50618:2014 applies to all types of solar cables, including single-core cables and double-core cables. This standard has strict requirements on the cable's high temperature resistance, UV resistance, weather resistance, and corrosion resistance. Therefore, solar cables that meet this standard are suitable for installation in various harsh environmental conditions.
This standard is particularly suitable for photovoltaic cables installed outdoors, such as rooftop installations, ground photovoltaic power stations, and other scenarios that require long-term exposure to sunlight. Solar cables must work stably under a wide range of climatic conditions, including high and low temperatures, humidity, rain, wind and sand.
3. EN 60228:2005 standard
3.1 Introduction to the standard
"EN 60228:2005" is a standard for conductor materials (especially copper and aluminum), which defines the requirements for the structure, material, conductivity, and operating temperature range of the conductor. This standard is crucial to the design of solar cables because the conductor part of the cable must meet specific electrical performance requirements to ensure stable current transmission.
3.2 Standard Content
EN 60228:2005 mainly includes the following contents:
Conductor material requirements: The standard stipulates that the conductor material used for photovoltaic cables must be pure copper or aluminum, and the electrical conductivity of the conductor must be good. Pure copper conductors are generally considered to have better conductivity and corrosion resistance than aluminum conductors.
Cable structure: The structure of the cable conductor must meet certain size and shape requirements in order to adapt to the installation needs of various photovoltaic systems. Common solar cable conductor structures include single-strand and twisted structures.
Temperature requirements: The standard stipulates the maximum temperature that the conductor can withstand. For solar cables, it is usually required to withstand long-term high temperature environments, up to 90°C.
3.3 Standard application
The EN 60228:2005 standard is essential to ensure the high quality and electrical performance of solar cable conductor materials. The current transmission of photovoltaic systems must be stable and effective, and the quality and design of the conductor directly affect the current transmission efficiency. According to this standard, manufacturers must select conductor materials that meet the requirements when producing solar cables to ensure the conductivity and safety of the cable.
4. Other relevant standards for solar cables
In addition to EN 50618:2014 and EN 60228:2005, solar cables also need to comply with other relevant standards to ensure the quality, performance and safety of the cables. These standards include:
IEC 60332: This standard specifies the flame retardant properties of cables. Solar cables need to have good flame retardant properties to reduce the risk of fire.
IEC 60287: This standard deals with the current carrying capacity of cables, ensuring that solar cables can work safely under load conditions.
UL 4703: This standard mainly applies to the US market and specifies the design, performance and safety requirements for cables and conductors in photovoltaic systems.
5. Certification and selection of solar cables
Choosing solar cables that meet EN standards is not only a basic guarantee for meeting electrical performance and safety requirements, but also provides users with higher quality assurance. There are many manufacturers on the market that produce solar cables that meet EN standards. These cables are usually rigorously tested and certified, including:
TÜV certification: Cables that have passed TÜV certification indicate that they meet European safety, environmental protection and quality standards and can be used for a long time in harsh environments.
CE mark: The CE mark proves that the cable meets the safety, health and environmental requirements of the EU market.
UL certification: For photovoltaic cables entering the US market, UL certification is a very important certification mark to ensure that the cable meets US safety standards.