EN 50618: electric cables for photovoltaic systems

Summary
CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) has published the formal standard EN 50618: electric cables for
photovoltaic systems. This standard specifies cables for use in Photovoltaic (PV) Systems, in particular for installation at the Direct Current
(D.C.) side. These cables are suitable for permanent outdoor use under variable demanding climate. EN 50618 has many modifications based on
the current standards such as 2 PfG 1169/08.2007, AK 411.2.3:2008 and VDE-AR-E 2283-4:2011 which are used widely for Photovoltaic
(PV) cables. It has wider application scope than the old standards. Such as, the old standards specifies that the rated voltage is 0.9 kV D.C.
(conductor-earth)/ 1.8 kV D.C. (conductor-conductor), however most of the system voltage of PV modules are 1.0 kV D.C. or even 1.5 kV D.C.;
hence there is a mismatch. To this end of making the standards for PV Cables more aligned with the current PV systems in vogue, this new
standard EN 50618 has been devised. The main differences / enhancements of EN 50618 over TUV 2PfG 1169 / 08.2007 are listed as below:

Clause No. of
EN Item EN 50618:2014 TUV 2PfG 1169/08.2007
50618:2014
4 Rated voltage 1.5 kV d.c. (both between conductors as well as 0.9 kV D.C. (conductor-earth), 1.8 kV D.C. (conductor-
conductors and earth); U0/U: 1.0/1.0 kV A.C. conductor); U0/U: 0.6/1.0 kV

5.2.3 Thickness of Different thicknesses for insulation have been Same thickness for insulation has been specified
insulation specified for different nominal cross sectional area of irrespective of the nominal cross sectional area 0.5
conductors mm
(e.g. 1 x 4 mm2: 0.7 mm)

5.3.3 Thickness of Different thicknesses for sheath have been specified Same thickness for sheath has been specified
sheath for different nominal cross sectional area of irrespective of the nominal cross sectional area.
conductors Thickness to be 0.5 mm
(e.g. 1 x 4 mm2: 0.8 mm)

6.3 Code designation H1Z2Z2-K PV1-F

7.2.2 Check for absence Cable to be tested in accordance to EN 62230 Annex Cable to be tested at a consistent AC voltage of 10 kV
of faults on the A; Different test voltage have been specified for irrespective of the radial thicknesses
insulation (or on different value of tabulated radial thicknesses (e.g.
completed cable) 1.4 mm: 10 kV A.C.; 2.1 mm: 14 kV A.C.)

7.2.3 Measurement Different min. values of insulation resistance have Same min. value of insulation resistance has been
insulation been specified as per Table 1 for different nominal specified irrespective of the different nominal cross
resistance cross sectional area of conductors sectional area
(e.g. 1 x 4 mm2: 580 M.km at 20 C; min. value: 1014 cm (1000 M.km) at 20 C;
0.58 M.km at 90 C) 1011 cm (1M.km) at 90 C

7.2.4 Long term The test is performed at the voltage of 1.8 kV D.C. The test is performed at the voltage of 0.9 kV D.C.
resistance of
insulation to D.C.

7.3.8 Ozone resistance In addition to methods in 2 Pfg 1169/08.2007, Includes only method B according to EN 50396 for
on complete Method A according to EN 60811-403 has been ozone resistance testing
cable included for ozone resistance testing
Clause No. of
EN Item EN 50618:2014 TUV 2PfG 1169/08.2007
50618:2014
7.3.9 Weathering/UV Additional requirements after test have been Requirement after test
resistance on included over and above that of current standard: - Absence of cracks
sheath - Tensile strength
- Elongation at break less than 70% of the values
measured on not exposed specimens

7.3.14 Smoke emission of New test has been added to test for smoke emission None
complete cable in accordance with EN 61034-2. The max. amount of
smoke permissible is specified

Annex Current carrying Current carrying capacity has been specified for Current carrying capacity has been specified only for
A.3 capacity nominal cross sectional area from 1.5 mm2 to 240 nominal cross sectional area from 1.5 mm2 to 35 mm2
mm2

Table Properties before Min. tensile strength of insulation is specified at 8.0 Min. tensile strength of insulation is specified at only
B.1-1.1 ageing N/mm2 6.5 N/mm2

Table Hot set test Test Temperature: 2503 C Test Temperature: 2003 C
B.1-1.3

Table Thermal No bending test after thermal endurance test has Bending test according to EN 50305, 2D, after thermal
B.1-1.4 endurance test been specified endurance test has been specified

Notch propagation No "Notch propagation test" Includes Notch propagation test

test

Pressure test at No "Pressure test at high temperature on completed Includes Pressure test at high temperature on
high temperature cable" completed cable
on completed
cable

Table Compatibility test Variation of elongation at break of sheath after Variation of elongation at break of sheath after ageing
B.1-1.7 ageing has been specified at max. -30 % has been specified at max. 30 %

Remark: All above just summarize the main changes in the standards
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