PHOTON International The Photovoltaic Magazine

New Draka solar cables

In January, the Dutch cable manufacturer Draka Kabel BV introduced its first solar cables. Mass production is slated to begin in March. While Draka's two new DC cables connect solar modules with inverters, they also offer two AC cables that connect inverters to the grid. All cables are ozone- and UV-protected, and halogen- and lead-free.

	© Draka Kabel BV
Draka specifically developed the Flat LSHF 300/500 V solar cable for the Dutch inverter manufacturer NKF.

The first new DC solar cable, the LSHF 750 V, has a single core with tin-plated copper wire and halogen-free synthetic ERP rubber isolation. The entire cable is covered with an external jacket made from polyolefin copolymers. The cable comes in black, blue, or red and is available with four different cross-sections ranging between 1.5 and 6 mm². The second DC cable, the LSHF 750 V Flat Twin PV Cable, consists of two cores with cross-sections of either 2.5, 4, or 6 mm². It is also isolated with synthetic material and covered by an interconnected external jacket. Both cable varieties are suitable for a maximum voltage of 750 V and can withstand ambient temperatures of between -40 and +85 °C .

The AC cables can also withstand temperatures between -40 and +85 °C. The LSHF 300 / 500 V model consists of two tin-plated copper wires with synthetic isolation and a single external jacket. This cable is available with a core cross-section of either 2.5 or 4 mm². The product is suitable for a maximum voltage of 500 V, as is the Flat LSHF 300 / 500 V (AC cable). Draka specifically developed this cable for the inverter manufacturer NKF Electronics, which like Draka itself belongs to Draka Holding. Up to 16 OK5 inverters (see PI 7/2002, p. 28) can be connected to the cable with special spikes. To ensure that the cable is waterproof, explains Draka's Peter van Nimwegen, a particularly flexible material was chosen for the external jacket. Each of the two cores has a cross-section of 2.5 mm² and is isolated with synthetic materials and covered by a single external jacket. According to Draka, inverters with the Flat LSHF 300 / 500 V were successfully tested according to IEC and UL specifications.

If desired, Draka can deliver its cables completely equipped with connectors. The wholesale price before taxes refers to 1,000 m of cable. The LSHF 750 VDC costs between €630 (1.5 mm²) and €1,610 (6 mm); the twin-core LSHF 750 VDC is between €1,520 (2.5 mm²) and €2,690 (6 mm); while the LSHF 300 / 500 V AC cable is between €3,180 (2.5 mm²) and €4,570 (4 mm), and the Flat LSHF 300 / 500 V for the NKF inverters costs €2,730 (2.5 mm²). The cables will be available allover Europe.

Draka
PO Box 1117
1000 BC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
phone +31/20/ 6279-313, fax -267
drakakabel@draka.nl
www.drakakabel.nl