UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
España, Manila

DC AND SOLAR CABLES

DC vs. AC

The electric current flows from the positive point charge to the negative charge which
opposes the flow of the electrons conventionally.

Alternating current (AC) is where the polarity of the power supply changes with respect
to time while the current flows different directions. Most of the generators in the mains of
power generation is AC and are based on an alternator which produces an alternating current
as the winding turns in a magnetic field. AC power transmission is highly preferred for High
Voltage mains transmission it is much easier for the voltages to step down with transformers.

. On the other hand, direct current (DC) refers to the flow of current in only one
direction. A typical example of DC is the current produced by a battery. Another example is the
power generated by the photovoltaic panels. The power it generates is in the form of DC which
would require to be converted using inverters for the purpose of application use. This type of
current, DC, is most commonly used in speed control motors and the like.

Figure 1. Time versus voltage and current relationship. (DC, AC, and pulsating)

The first electrical supply systems were mainly based on DC distribution. But along the
passing years, the systems were gradually being replaced by AC which features numerous
advantageous characteristics in terms of transformation in power systems voltages:
generation, transmission and distribution. In the first half of the century, along with the
development of the modern electrical supply systems is the emerging use of AC transmission
system. However, within the early years of 1950’s, as the development and modernization take
place, a growing demand for long transmission schemes emerges by the time. For this reason,
the adaptation of DC distribution came back into picture and the sole advantage of DC
voltages were recognized by the time. The benefits of DC include: (1) reduction of system
stability problems, improved power factor of system for more efficient use of equipment, and
the usage of versatile of insulation thickness or clearance at higher operating voltages.

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 UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
España, Manila

DC CABLES

DC cable’s system used is different as compared to AC cable. The DC cable is commonly

used in the rectified DC transmission system while AC able is used in power frequency power
system. In terms of power loss during transmission, DC cable produces relatively smaller as
compare do AC cable. The power loss in the DC
cable in mainly caused by the resistance loss of the
conductor which has a low value depending on the
fluctuation of the current where the AC resistance
of the AC cable is relatively higher than the DC.
Moreover, the transmission efficiency is high while
its line loss is low.

Using DC cable, the adjustment of current

and change in the power transmission direction is
more convenient. It also has lower cost than of AC
cable because its structure is simpler as compared
to AC cable which costs more than three times that of DC cable.

One advantage of using DC cable is its safe characteristics. In DC transmission,

generation of induced current and leakage current in much more difficult and does not
interfere with the field generated by the other cables. Also, it has higher interception capability
and the installation and maintenance of DC cable is simple with a low cost.

TYPES OF DC CABLES

(according to quickcable catalogue of cables)

Battery Cable

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 UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
España, Manila

Fine Stranded Battery Cable

Welding Cable

SOLAR CABLES

Solar cables are said to be the arteries and veins of the solar photovoltaic system
according to Power from Sunlight. A cable is consisted with two or more insulated wires
together in one jacket. It may contain more than on conductors and its diameter varies
depending on the number of conductors.

In the industry, there is a difference

between solar module cables, solar DC main
cables, and solar AC connection cables.

Primarily, there are two types of Solar DC

cables: (1) Module Cables, and (2) DC main
cable.

Module cables or string cables are

cables which are usually integrated into the photovoltaic solar panels which are equipped with
interconnected connectors within. On the other hand, a DC main cables are special extension
cables which are used to connect positive and negative cables from strings to the generator
connection box or directly to the solar power inverter. DC cables are commonly used

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 UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
España, Manila

outdoors. The DC cables between the modules and the generator connection box and inverter
are usually a two-core cables, red wire which is a current carrying wire, blue wire for negative,
which are both insulated.

EXAMPLE OF SOLAR CABLES

(according to helukabel catalogue)

SOLARFLEX®-X PV1-F

- The SOLARFLEX®-X PV1-

F is used for cabling solar
modules

SOLARFLEX®-X PV1-F
TWIN

- The SOLARFLEX®-X
PV1-F TWIN is used
for cabling solar
modules.

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 UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
España, Manila

REFERENCES:

- Oudin, J., Fallou, M., & Thevenon, H. (1967). Design and Development of DC Cables. IEEE
Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, PAS-86(3), 304–
311. doi:10.1109/tpas.1967.291957 
- Hossain, M. A., & Ahmed, M. R. (2014). Study and protection of lightning overvoltage on DC
cables of solar power generation. 8th International Conference on Electrical and Computer
Engineering. doi:10.1109/icece.2014.7026883 
- http://www.tempsens.com/blog/cable/dc-solar-cable
- https://www.powerfromsunlight.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-cables-in-a-
solar-pv-system/
- https://www.powerandsignal.com/Images/PDFs/Catalog_Full_Line__English_WireAndCabl
e.pdf
- https://www.helukabel.com/media/publication/de/brochures/pv_20/PV_BROCHURE_Ph
otovoltaik_EN~1.pdfThe DC cable has the following characteristics compared with the
AC cable.
- https://m.zmscable.com/new/The-difference-between-DC-cable-and-AC-cable-in-power-
cable
- https://www.elandcables.com/the-cable-lab/faqs/faq-what-is-the-difference-between-
ac-and-dc

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