The term “10 AWG solar PV multi-conductor tray cable” is a mouthful. As a single term it is nearly a phrase or a sentence rather than a term for a single type of cable.
And yet it is; this short post will break down what each piece of the term qualifies or signifies.
- 10 AWG: AWG stands for American Wire Gauge, which is the system used to measure the diameter of electrical wire in North America. It is an inverse scale; the smaller the number, the thicker the wire is. In this case, 10 AWG wire is .102” or 2.59mm thick. The thicker a wire is, the higher its voltage rating and ampacity typically are, so thicker wires are used in higher voltage applications.
- Solar: The term solar connotes that the wire is suitable for use as solar panel cable. More than one type of wire or or cable can be used as solar panel cable, necessarily, provided it is appropriately rated for that application. Solar panel cable must have a few properties that make it suitable for that application; as a general rule, it must be resistant to both UV light and to the weather. Therefore, solar panel cable is usually made with UV-resistant insulation that resists photodegradation, as well as insulation that is resistant to the weather.
- PV: In this case, PV stands for “photovoltatic” which is actually a bit of a redundant qualifier since we have already detailed the cable as rated for solar installations.
- Mutli-conductor: If a cable is qualified as a “multi-conductor” cable, that can mean one of two things. One is that the cable is made of many conductors instead of just a single wire. If this is the case, it will mean that the cable will be relatively flexible compared to an electrical conductor made with a single solid wire. Multi-conductor can also signal that there are many individually insulated conductors under a common sheath; for instance, one for power transmission and another for instrumentation monitoring or control.
- Tray cable: Tray cable is a type of electrical cable that is suitable for use in cable trays rather than in conduit. This is a big bonus when it comes to power transmission and distribution in solar systems because of how complex, yet modular, they are. Tray cable is more flexible than conduit, more versatile, and allows for much faster and more economical installation. On top of that, even once installed, tray cable infrastructure allows for easier inspection and maintenance of cables. It also offers better heat dissipation. The one thing that cable tray definitely does not offer is that it does not enclose or shield the cables as effectively as conduit. Therefore any solar panel cable installed in cable trays must have good resistance to sunlight, the weather, and interference, among other things.
All in all, there you have it – that’s what goes into 10 AWG solar PV multi-conductor tray cable, and what each of the qualifying terms means.
Where to Get 10 AWG Solar PV Multi-Conductor Tray Cable
Whether you landed here to learn more about solar panel cable or you’re already well familiar with what it is and you simply need a new wholesale electrical wire supplier to keep your business well-prepared to meet demand, EWCS Wire can help.
Operating online, EWCS Wire sells a wide range of specialty electrical wire and cable, including but not limited to solar panel cable, aluminum cable, DLO cable, welding cable, marine battery cable, submersible pump cable, DLO and armored cable, and much more. Visit their website for more information.
