[Cu0280] Comparing PV cable current carrying capacities as specified in EN 50618 and IEC 62930

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Published: April 2022

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This document assesses and compares the current carrying capacities of PV cables as specified in the European standard EN 50618, and international standard IEC 62930.

EN 50618 – Electric cables for photovoltaic systems – applies to low smoke, halogen-free, flexible, single-core, cross-linked insulated power cables with a cross-linked sheath, designed to be used on the direct current (DC) side of photovoltaic systems, with a nominal DC voltage up to and including 1.5 kV between conductors and between conductor and earth. The cables are suitable for use with Class II electrical equipment and are designed to operate safely at a continuous conductor temperature of maximum 90°C (normal operating conditions), with temporary peaks up to 120°C at a maximum ambient temperature of 90°C, permitted for a total maximum duration of 20,000 hours over the cable’s lifetime. The expected lifetime under normal operating conditions is 25 years. The current carrying capacities listed in EN 50618 limit the conductor temperature to 120°C at an ambient temperature of 60°C.

IEC 62930 – Electric cables for photovoltaic systems with a voltage rating of 1.5 kV DC – applies to single-core cross-linked insulated power cables with cross-linked sheath. These cables are for use on the direct current (DC) side of photovoltaic systems, with a rated DC voltage up to and including 1.5 kV between conductors and between conductor and earth. This document covers halogen-free low smoke cables and cables that can contain halogens. The cables are suitable for use with Class II equipment as defined in IEC 61140. The cables are designed to operate safely at a continuous conductor temperature of maximum 90°C (normal operating conditions), with temporary peaks up to a conductor temperature of 120°C at a maximum ambient temperature of 90°C, permitted for a total maximum duration of 20,000 hours over the lifetime of the cable. The expected lifetime under normal operating conditions is 25 years. The current carrying capacities listed in IEC 62930 limit the conductor temperature to 90°C at an ambient temperature of 30°C.

Outcomes of this analysis:

• Cable current carrying capacities can only be usefully compared when the same temperature rise is considered;
• Cable current carrying capacities given in both product standards (IEC 62930 and EN 50618) are consistent with those obtained when applying the general calculation method defined in IEC 60287-1-1;
• Cable current carrying capacities given in both product standards (IEC 62930 and EN 50618) are essentially identical provided the same temperature rise is considered (60 K).

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Last checked: April 28, 2023

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