1000 volt wire on commercial projects

[Solar Peep]

I have a project coming up that is a 1000 volt system. My supplier is having a difficult time locating 1000 volt rated wire. Most of our DC runs are #10 PV 600 volt wire, but this project requires DC wire up to #1. Does anyone have experience with 1000 volt wire?

 

[electrofelon]

I have a project coming up that is a 1000 volt system. My supplier is having a difficult time locating 1000 volt rated wire. Most of our DC runs are #10 PV wire, but this project requires DC wire up to #1. Does anyone have experience with 1000 volt wire?

1KV/2KV PV wire should not be a problem. Encore makes it, southwire makes it. Try another supply house. DC wire up to #1????? how on earth is it that you need sizes that big??

 

[Solar Peep]

1KV/2KV PV wire should not be a problem. Encore makes it, southwire makes it. Try another supply house. DC wire up to #1????? how on earth is it that you need sizes that big??

Thanks for the names of the companies. This is a design from an EE but long story short. 21 modules on a string voltages exceed 600volts (649 volts I think it was, I'm not the designer ) Plus the size of wire is because it is stupidly far run. They told me 350'. Strange I know..

 

[electrofelon]

Thanks for the names of the companies. This is a design from an EE but long story short. 21 modules on a string voltages exceed 600volts (649 volts I think it was, I'm not the designer ) Plus the size of wire is because it is stupidly far run. They told me 350'. Strange I know..

That doesnt seem right. IIRC the jobs we are doing now we can go up to 350 feet before going above #10. Did you really mean #1 and not #10?

 

[Solar Peep]

hahaha. whoops I didn't mean #1 :blink: yeah the DC amps are only 52. Guess I better re read my posts before I press go.:lol:

 

[zman990]

I have a project coming up that is a 1000 volt system. My supplier is having a difficult time locating 1000 volt rated wire. Most of our DC runs are #10 PV 600 volt wire, but this project requires DC wire up to #1. Does anyone have experience with 1000 volt wire?

xhhw-2 wire

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[iwire]

xhhw-2 wire

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That is 600 volt wire unless you have a specific brand in mind.

http://www.southwire.com/ProductCatalog/XTEInterfaceServlet?contentKey=prodcatsheetOEM6

 

[zman990]

http://www.encorewire.com

I would say give this company a call and ask for 1000volt xhhw-2 solar pv wire they have everything you need.
This wire can be used in exposed cable trays on roof and in the 2014 it is exempt to raising the conduit for derates.
I use this wire on all jobs for dc source circuits because it is by far the best.



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[PVfarmer]

I have a project coming up that is a 1000 volt system. My supplier is having a difficult time locating 1000 volt rated wire. Most of our DC runs are #10 PV 600 volt wire, but this project requires DC wire up to #1. Does anyone have experience with 1000 volt wire?

These people are very helpful.
PV wire is either 600V or 2kV here, but if the system is grounded looks like this RW-90 is OK, but not "the best". (it's the last of the > links here, double jacketed)

Photovoltaic Wire beats USE-2 Cable in low temperature flexibility, sunlight resistance, and flame resistance. Photovoltaic Wiring for solar panels also has a thicker jacket and thicker insulation than USE-2 Solar Power Cable.
http://www.awcwire.com/producttoc.aspx?id=solar-cable

Double Jacketed PV Wire Industry Approvals:

• UL 4703 Type PV Wire
• UL 854 Type USE, USE-2 (600V)
• UL 44 CSA C 22.2 No 38 Type RW-90 (1000V)
• UL 44 Type RHH, RHW, RHW-2

 

[iwire]

These people are very helpful.
PV wire is either 600V or 2kV here, but if the system is grounded looks like this RW-90 is OK, but not "the best". (it's the last of the > links here, double jacketed)

Photovoltaic Wire beats USE-2 Cable in low temperature flexibility, sunlight resistance, and flame resistance. Photovoltaic Wiring for solar panels also has a thicker jacket and thicker insulation than USE-2 Solar Power Cable.
http://www.awcwire.com/producttoc.aspx?id=solar-cable

Double Jacketed PV Wire Industry Approvals:

• UL 4703 Type PV Wire
• UL 854 Type USE, USE-2 (600V)
• UL 44 CSA C 22.2 No 38 Type RW-90 (1000V)
• UL 44 Type RHH, RHW, RHW-2

Are you an electrian or an EE.

 

[BillK-AZ]

Thanks for the names of the companies. This is a design from an EE but long story short. 21 modules on a string voltages exceed 600volts (649 volts I think it was, I'm not the designer ) Plus the size of wire is because it is stupidly far run. They told me 350'. Strange I know..

If your cold string voltage will exceed 600V, then you need a 1000-volt inverter. Most if not all 1000-volt inverters are transformerless and as such require the use of 'PV' wire. 1000/2000 Volt PV wire is available in sizes from 14 AWG to 750 MCM.

Most PV inverters these days are designed to remember the highest input and output voltages. If these are exceeded, the warranty is void.

I do not know about other states, but in Arizona the usual electrical contracting license is for up to 600V. Over 600V requires a special medium voltage license.

 

[ggunn]

If your cold string voltage will exceed 600V, then you need a 1000-volt inverter. Most if not all 1000-volt inverters are transformerless and as such require the use of 'PV' wire. 1000/2000 Volt PV wire is available in sizes from 14 AWG to 750 MCM.

Most PV inverters these days are designed to remember the highest input and output voltages. If these are exceeded, the warranty is void.

I do not know about other states, but in Arizona the usual electrical contracting license is for up to 600V. Over 600V requires a special medium voltage license.

Didn't the 2014 NEC redefine MV as above 1000V instead of 600V? I heard that but I haven't seen it

 

[Solar Peep]

Didn't the 2014 NEC redefine MV as above 1000V instead of 600V? I heard that but I haven't seen it

This job would be in Oregon, but that's a good point. I don't have a book in front of me. Anyone else know for sure?

 

[electrofelon]

If your cold string voltage will exceed 600V, then you need a 1000-volt inverter.

I was a little confused too, but I assumed the voltages given by the OP were MPPT voltages. The numbers seem about right for 21 250 watt panels and a 1000 volt system. Perhaps the OP can clarify. Actually just realized he is in seattle, he could probably go 22 in a string no prob.

 

[GoldDigger]

The wire insulation needs to be based on the cold day Voc, not the Vmp.

 

[electrofelon]

The wire insulation needs to be based on the cold day Voc, not the Vmp.

Yes. Either the OP doesnt understand that, or his 649 figure was MPPT. The temp corrected VOC for 630 MPPT is about right for a 1000V system - I assume thats where the figures came from.

 

[Carultch]

I have a project coming up that is a 1000 volt system. My supplier is having a difficult time locating 1000 volt rated wire. Most of our DC runs are #10 PV 600 volt wire, but this project requires DC wire up to #1. Does anyone have experience with 1000 volt wire?

Does this occur after you combine multiple strings? Or is this individual string wiring?

If you are using this for individual string wiring, be aware that few (if any) connectors (MC4's, H4's etc) are available for larger than #8. You may need an enclosure with a splice capable of the larger sizes.

 

[PVfarmer]

Are you an electrian or an EE.

No, but I have both types of people working with me. Sorry if my suggestion offended you.
All I'm saying is that, if:
Most of our DC runs are #10 PV 600 volt wire, but this project requires DC wire up to #1. Does anyone have experience with 1000 volt wire?

yes, Allied WC has 1000V wire in #1 gauge, and if the OP fills out a RFQ, they'll get back to him/her quickly, and will be quite helpful.
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Originally Posted by ggunn
Didn't the 2014 NEC redefine MV as above 1000V instead of 600V? I heard that but I haven't seen it

Yep. Articles 490, 470, and 450.
http://ewbusaenergy.blogspot.com/2014/01/analysis-of-changes-in-nec-2014-high.html

 

[iwire]

No, but I have both types of people working with me. Sorry if my suggestion offended you.

Offended? No.

But the fact you seem hell bent on giving advice in this forum when you are not qualified is not helpful.

 

[SolarPro]

Wow. It's a sad day when forum moderators can't adhere to basic tenets of civil discourse.

It's true that many people who work for solar companies are neither electricians or engineers. It's also true that many electrician and electrical engineers have no experience with PV systems. Last time I checked, this conversation was filed under the "Photovoltaic Forum." Seems like people might want to hear from subject matter experts who deal with these unique electrical systems on a daily basis.