Branched solar power cables ensure faster assembly

21 July 2010

Connecting solar arrays is an onerous task now made easier with new branched photovoltaic (PV) cables from Multi-Contact. Having the branches already attached to the main cable considerably reduces assembly times as well as overall costs, while also increasing reliability. The continuous main cable also means there are fewer connections, so there is less contact resistance.

These high quality cables are produced to order, with customers specifying cable and branch lengths, branch spacings, power ratings and so on. They are available with Multi-Contact's popular MC3 and MC4 connector types, while customers are able to specify different cable ratings for the main and branch cables.

The cable used is Multi-Contact's chemically cross-linked FLEX-SOL-XL solar cable, which has a usable lifetime of 25 years or more. The complete system offers IP67 environmental protection. Cables are supplied rolled, bundled and/or sealed in plastic film, depending on their length, and need only to be unpacked and connected at the installation site.

They are also available as 'endless' leads that can be cut to length on site just before installation. This option is suitable for relatively large installations with regularly spaced PV modules.

Cable cross-sections available are 2.5, 4.0 and 6.0 mm2 rated at 1,000Vdc. The temperature range is -40 degC to +90 degC.