Solar Cables 101: What Makes Them Different from Normal Cables?

Solar energy is gaining more and more popularity by the day. As such, companies are gradually beginning to enter this domain with a range of products; however, no two products are made the same. So, to separate the good solar equipment from the rest, we look into the brands and what quality they carry. In this blog post, we will look at solar cables; more specifically, which ones are the best, but firstly, what makes them different from regular cables that we use in our daily lives, from TVs to other electronics?

Solar cables play an important and obviously crucial role in the entire solar energy system infrastructure. As to the question why regular cables can't be used for this purpose, solar cables are designed to withstand incredible amounts of heat and resistance, which is necessary since they need to stay efficient regardless of what temperatures the entire system is faced with. While normal electricity cables can handle heat, solar cables need to be reinforced against environmental factors as well, since the solar energy system maximizes efficiency at peak temperatures; as such, the quality of the solar cables is of paramount importance.

Solar cables: how are they different than normal cables?

In general, ordinary cables are significantly different from solar cables in terms of basic composition. Their material selection focuses more on meeting the universal requirements under different use environments, unlike solar cables, which focus on special material adaptation for the special harsh environment of outdoor solar systems.

In terms of performance, what are the differences between solar cables and ordinary cables? First of all, in terms of temperature resistance, solar cables have excellent high-temperature and cold resistance. They can adapt to a wide temperature range, are suitable for various harsh climatic conditions, and can transmit electricity for solar power generation in a long-term and stable manner. Ordinary cables have a relatively narrow temperature resistance range. For example, the long-term allowable operating temperature of common household wires is mostly around 70°C. Even if some ordinary cables with special formulas or high-performance insulation materials have improved high-temperature resistance, their overall performance is significantly limited in extreme temperature environments compared to solar cables.

For example, in a high-temperature industrial production environment, if the temperature is far beyond the tolerance range of ordinary cables, problems such as softening of the insulation layer and accelerated aging may occur, affecting the normal use and life of the cable. In a cold environment, it is also easy to become hard and brittle, reducing flexibility and even causing damage to the internal conductor, which cannot guarantee stable power transmission. Secondly, in terms of environmental resistance, solar cables have excellent environmental resistance and have many advantages such as UV resistance, oil resistance, acid, alkali and salt resistance, and anti-aging.

Solar cables and safety

Since most photovoltaic systems are outdoors, solar cables are often exposed to the sun for a long time and must withstand complex outdoor environments such as wind, rain, and dust erosion. However, with their excellent environmental resistance, they can still ensure safe and reliable power transmission. The sheath of ordinary cables often has poor UV resistance, and long-term outdoor use is prone to aging of the outer sheath. Once the outer sheath ages, it is difficult to provide good protection for the internal insulation layer and conductor, which in turn affects the service life of the cable.

Moreover, when aging is severe, the insulation layer may be damaged, leading to hidden dangers such as short circuits and fire alarms, and may even cause dangerous injuries to people around. There are also differences in flame retardancy and environmental protection. Solar cables are made of halogen-free and flame-retardant materials, which is a major highlight. When burning, they do not produce toxic smoke and corrosive gases. They are environmentally friendly and do not endanger the health and safety of people around them. In addition, solar cables are recyclable and reusable, which is in line with the current concept of green development and sustainable development.

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