System Wiring

Wiring Your Renewable Energy Systems

Installing your renewable electric system is like any other electrical installation; The Electrical Code needs to be followed to ensure safety and proper system operation. When purchasing your solar system, here some important points that should be addressed and answered by your renewable energy provider:

* Use of components with DC ratings
* Proper wire sizing for all DC cables
* Fused disconnects or circuit breakers to disable all power sources; input and output
* Grounding

Wire Sizing

It is important to purchase the properly sized wire, as this will allow your solar system, or any electrical, system, to perform at its peak. Wire that is too small will not allow enough voltage/ current to get to the load. If you have wire that is too large, you are essentially just purchasing extra wire. However, when purchasing a system, take into account that you may want to expand at a later date and larger wire may be a good idea.

Voltage Loss for 12V systems

Amperage

Wire Gauge	50	40	30	25	20	15	10	8	6	4	2
1/0	58`	72`	95`	115`	145`	190`	284`	355`	474`	711`	1422`
2	36`	45`	60`	73`	90`	120`	180`	225`	300`	450`	900`
4	23`	29`	37`	45`	56`	75`	112`	141`	187`	281`	562`
6	4`	17`	24`	28`	36`	47`	71`	88`	118`	177`	354`
8	9`	11`	15`	17`	22`	30`	44`	56`	74`	111`	222`
10	6`	7`	9`	11`	14`	19`	28`	35`	47`	70`	140`
12	NA	NA	6`	7`	9`	12`	18`	22`	29`	44`	88`
14	NA	NA	4`	5`	5`	7`	11`	14`	18`	28`	55`