Trust us when we say choosing the best wire for solar installations is not as boring as it sounds, but a lot of people overlook it. And then they wonder why their solar setup is underperforming. So, when you think about it, you have no choice but to get it right, and that is where this solar installation guide comes in.
As you read on, you’ll know how to select the right solar wire, which will help you make informed decisions about your project.
Understanding Wire Measurements
You can’t know the right wire for a solar project if you don’t understand wire measurements. It’s all about the thickness of the wire because that determines how much current it can safely carry.
The American Wire Gauge system is popular in this regard, and it rates thicker wires (which have lower gauges) as being suitable for higher currents. Going by this logic, a 10 AWG wire is thicker than a 12 AWG solar power cable, making it more capable of carrying more current without issues.
The Factors to Consider When Choosing Wire Measure for Solar Installations
You can’t select the right solar power cables without considering these key factors:
- Current Carrying Capacity: Before you purchase the wire, you have to know the maximum current your solar system will produce. For instance, a 450-watt solar panel setup operating at 18 volts will yield about 25 amps, and you’ll need a 10 AWG wire to carry it safely.
- Voltage Drop: When electricity travels through a wire, there will be a reduction in voltage (especially if the distance between the source and the destination is long), but it shouldn’t be more than 2% to ensure efficiency. If the wire is thicker, the drop in voltage will be smaller, and vice versa.
- Environmental Conditions: It’s no secret that exposure to the elements can affect wire performance. The higher the temperature, the more the resistance will be, and to minimize this, you have to choose the solar wire rated for that condition.
Types of Wire For Solar Installations
Wire thickness is not the only thing you have to consider because the type of wire plays a role too, but the latter comes down to the kind of material to choose:
- Copper Wire: A popular choice for solar projects because it offers lower resistance, lasts longer, and is more conductive, but it is also more expensive.
- Aluminum Wire: This material is lighter and more affordable, but you’ll need to use large gauge sizes because it’s not as conductive as copper.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are the pitfalls to avoid when selecting the measurement of the solar power cable:
- Using wires that are too small – leads to overheating and a potential fire outbreak
- Ignoring local electrical codes
- Choosing solar wires without taking future upgrades or expansion into account.
Conclusion
Getting the right measurement of your solar wire is like finding the perfect shoe size – they’re all about finding a suitable fit. If you choose wires that are too thin, it will impair the performance of your system, and if you choose ones that are too thick, it will be a waste of money. So, find the sweet spot by paying attention to the key factors that will enable you to build a solar system that’s not just functional but reliable.