USE-2 wires have long been used as interconnect wires for solar modules, while PV wires were first mentioned in the 2008 edition of the National Electrical Code. Both single-conductor USE-2 type cables and photovoltaic (PV) wires can be used in exposed outdoor installations.

The main difference between PV wire and USE-2 wire

Usos: USE-2 wires marked as underground household wires can usually be used as connectors for power supply equipment, but only in humid or monotonous environments with a maximum temperature of 90°C; the rated temperature of PV wires is 90°C and up to 150°C, are specially designed for connecting solar modules. The rated voltage part, USE-2 is 600V, and the PV wire can be 600V, 1000V or 2000V. According to the National Electrical Code, USE-2 wires can only be used in grounded solar radio and television arrays, while PV wires can be used in ungrounded and grounded solar photovoltaic arrays.

Construção: Os fios USE-2 são geralmente protegidos contra danos físicos por meio de manutenção mecânica, enquanto os fios PV têm isolamento ou revestimentos mais espessos para manutenção nominal. O fio USE-2 é normalmente usado onde altos níveis de movimento não são necessários e podem ser condutores sólidos ou trançados com condutores de cobre, alumínio revestido de cobre ou alumínio. A linha fotovoltaica é usada para painéis solares e precisa ser flexível, portanto, apenas condutores de cobre trançados podem ser usados. O padrão de condutor mínimo para o fio USE-2 é 14AWG, mas o fio PV pode ser tão pequeno quanto 18AWG.

In terms of test requirements: USE-2 wires are generally installed underground or in a similar environment, so there is no need to have a combustion level; but PV wires are installed in an exposed environment, so they need to pass the combustion test. However, overload tests and mechanical damage tests such as crush resistance, and impact tests are only applicable to USE-2 wires. As for the anti-sunshine and low-temperature flexibility tests, USE-2 wires only need to be processed in a 300-hour weather resistance test chamber and a low temperature chamber of minus 25 degrees Celsius; while PV wires need to undergo 720 hours of resistance to meet stricter specifications. Climate test chamber and low temperature chamber of minus 40 degrees Celsius.

On the whole, the anti-sunshine and low temperature flexibility of PV wire is better than USE-2 wire, and it has thicker insulation or sheath and flame resistance; in addition, it can be used in ungrounded solar photovoltaic arrays and transformers without transformers. Therefore, it will become the main interconnection wire of solar modules.

SUNKEAN fornece UL 4703 PV wire certificado pela UL. Nossos produtos de cabo UL têm as seguintes vantagens:

(1)E-beam cross-linked compounds;

(2)High resistance against UV ozone and hydrolysis;

(3) Resistência a altas temperaturas, os materiais não derreterão ou fluirão;

(4)Flexibility under cold conditions;

(5)Long useable life expected usable life over 25 years(90℃) ;

(6) Aplicação a todos os conectores comuns.

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