What are the Key Differences Between Solar Cable and Normal Cable?

Knowing the key differences between different types of cables will help you choose the right kind to be used in your project. At face value, solar cable and “normal” cables may seem more or less the same, but the purposes, designs, and material composition of such cables are significantly different. This blog will take you through the differences between solar cables and normal cables by the TUV Solar Cable Supplier, with outlining unique characteristics of each type, so you know which to choose based on your needs.

Purpose and Applications

The first major difference between solar cables and normal cables lies in their intended application.

• Solar Cable: This cable is used for solar power systems specifically, ensuring the efficient flow of direct current generated from solar panels. They are used in household and commercial solar installations, connecting solar panels to inverters and other system components.
• Normal Cable: They are used for various common applications of general electrical use. They are normally made for AC systems and used in buildings, industrial machinery, appliances, and other devices whose power and environment requirements differ from solar setups.

The solar cables are specifically designed for use in solar systems and consider the special requirements of solar systems, especially high UV exposure and fluctuating temperatures. Normal cables are not made to be subjected outdoors for a long time.

Material Composition and Construction

The varying construction of solar cables compared to ordinary cables ensures each type of cable works well in its environment.

• Solar Cable: Solar cable conductors are typically made from tin-plated copper, which has excellent conductivity and is resistant to corrosion. Double insulation, commonly carried through cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) or ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), is provided to give resistance to UV rays, moisture, and extreme temperature conditions.
• Ordinary cable: Cables for ordinary cables are mostly made of copper or aluminium, with PVC insulation. In general, PVC-insulated cables have to work well indoors and under ordinary exposure but not so much in extreme sun exposure and weather.

In other words, the solar cable was intended to be exposed for a long time to sunlight, moisture, and heat, whereas ordinary cable is best made for indoor or protected applications.

Weather and UV Resistance

Given that the solar cables are usually installed outside some top or open field, they therefore need to put up with varying weather conditions that are present without losing their performance.

• Solar Cables: They are resistant to UV radiation and support extreme weather conditions such as rain, snow, and intense sunlight. Their insulation material prevents decay due to prolonged exposure to UV radiation and, therefore, can be applied in rooftop solar installations or solar farms.
• Ordinary Cable Most ordinary cables do not have any UV-resistant properties. Insulation of most ordinary cables deteriorates and cracks after long-term exposure to the sun. Some ordinary cables may be weather-resistant, but in general, they are not as resistant to UV as solar cable.

Voltages

Another significant distinction involves the voltage to which each type of cable may be exposed. Solar systems operate at various voltages, most of which exceed the common voltages found in any typical electrical circuit.

• Solar Cable: The solar cables are always rated for voltages up to 1,500V DC as high voltage generated by the solar arrays. They may always handle high-voltage DC applications without sustaining significant risk from overheating or insulation failure.
• Normal Cable: Typically, the normal cable is rated from 300V to 600V AC. Hence, it is not likely to see them used in a form of high-voltage DC, especially since such applications do stretch the insulation beyond its reasonable limits, which may result in faster wear.

The value of the voltage rating is one of the reasons why solar cables are more secure and reliable.

Flexibility and Durability

The physical attributes of solar cables also make them different in aspects of flexibility and durability.

• Solar Cable Solar cables are flexible as they have to be directed through a variety of locations. This will make them easier to route around the frame of solar panels and through junction boxes with less likelihood of kinking or breaking. These are strong enough for the various mechanical stresses in wind movement or weight of falling snow.
• Normal Cable: Solar cables are much less likely to be made toward the same robustness or dexterity as normal cable. Though they can take the moderate bending stress, they are not designed for being consistently placed outdoors or are often subjected to movements. As such, normal cables will less fit a solar installation.

Durability and reliability are assured in the long term because of the flexibility of solar cables in harsh environments.

Temperature Resistance

The solar installations may face extreme temperatures, especially where high summertime temperatures and low temperature winter will be part of the installation place. In this respect, the cables should be in good working condition regardless of these temperatures.

Solar Cables: These cables are available with an enormous rating for temperature resistance, usually between -40°C and 90°C or above. This indicates they would function well for hot weather conditions as well as experience extreme low temperatures without destroying the conductor or insulating material.

Normal Cable: A normal cable typically has a rather limited temperature range. Though they are commonly rated in the range of -10°C to 60°C, exposure beyond these may cause cracking of insulation or even complete conductor failure. In this regard, normal cables are not ideal for situations involving extreme temperatures.

Conclusion

If you are installing solar, then investment in Solar Cable will provide better safety, durability, and efficiency. However, normal cables will be very cheap and reliable for indoor or general electrical applications. Grasping the key differences between these cable types will allow you to choose the best one for your project.

But apart from this, if you want to know more to make any proper decision and choice, then you can get in touch with experts of Znergy Cable to have the best without any stress.

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