IEC 62930 — Cables for photovoltaic (solar PV) power systems
What is IEC 62930?
IEC 62930:2017 — Electric cables — Cable for photovoltaic power systems — is the International Electrotechnical Commission specification for DC cables in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. It replaced the earlier IEC 62930:2017 (first edition) and is closely aligned with EN 50618 (the European harmonised standard for PV cable).
India has no equivalent Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) IS specification for solar DC cable. The Indian solar market — both MNRE-registered rooftop systems and SECI/NTPC utility-scale projects — accepts IEC 62930 as the applicable standard. MNRE's technical specifications for PM Surya Ghar (Muft Bijli Yojana) and CPRI evaluation guidelines both reference IEC 62930.
Why does solar PV need a dedicated cable standard?
Solar DC cable operates in conditions that ordinary AC building wire (IS 694:2010) is not designed for:
- UV exposure: Rooftop and ground-mount arrays expose DC string cables to direct sunlight for 25+ years. IS 694:2010 PVC sheath degrades under UV and ozone, leading to insulation cracking. IEC 62930 requires UV-resistant XLPE or EVA compound outer sheath.
- Higher DC voltage: Modern utility-scale inverters operate at 1000 V DC to 1500 V DC string voltage. IS 694:2010 is rated to 1100 V AC (≈ 1560 V peak); for 1500 V DC systems, IEC 62930 1500 V DC-rated cable is required.
- Temperature cycling: DC cables on rooftops experience wide thermal cycling (−40 °C to +90 °C ambient + solar gain). IEC 62930 requires −40 °C cold-bend and 90 °C rated-temperature operation.
- Double insulation: IEC 62930 specifies Class II (double-insulated) construction — inner insulation + outer sheath — reducing shock risk during live maintenance in string-voltage DC circuits.
Scope: what products does IEC 62930 cover?
- Single-core DC cables for PV string wiring and array-to-inverter DC feeders
- Conductor sizes: 2.5 mm², 4 mm², 6 mm² (most common); up to 95 mm² for large DC combiner-to-inverter feeders
- Voltage rating: 1000 V DC / 1500 V DC (system voltage — DC is rated differently from AC)
- Conductor class: Class 5 fine-stranded flexible copper (standard); Class 6 ultra-flexible
- Insulation and sheath: XLPE or EVA-based halogen-free compound with UV-resistance qualification
- Temperature range: −40 °C to +90 °C rated conductor temperature
Key test methods under IEC 62930
| Test | Method / limit |
|---|---|
| UV resistance | IEC 60068-2-5 — 720 hours UV exposure; tensile strength retention ≥ 70% |
| Ozone resistance | No cracks after 100 pphm ozone, 40 °C, 24 h (IEC 60811-403) |
| Cold-bend test | −40 °C bend mandrel — no cracks visible to naked eye |
| Hot-set (cross-link check) | Elongation under 20 N/cm² load ≤ 175% at 200 °C per IEC 60811-507 |
| Voltage withstand (DC) | 15 kV DC for 5 minutes (for 1500 V DC rated cable) |
| Insulation resistance (volume) | ≥ 10¹⁴ Ω·cm at 20 °C |
| Flame propagation | IEC 60332-1-2 (single-wire self-extinguishing) |
| Halogen content | HCl ≤ 0.5% — inherently halogen-free compound |
Connector compatibility
IEC 62930 DC cable is designed to terminate in MC4 or MC4-compatible connectors (IEC 62852 standard). Cable outer diameter must fall within the connector manufacturer's specified range (typically OD 5.5–7.5 mm for 4 mm² solar cable). Always verify cable OD against connector specifications before procurement — undersized OD causes IP rating failure at the connector seal.
Procurement checklist for solar DC cable in India
- Confirm the system maximum DC open-circuit voltage (Voc max): 1000 V DC or 1500 V DC. Select the appropriate IEC 62930 voltage class.
- Verify the cable carries an IEC 62930 certification from an accredited test house (TÜV Rheinland, UL, CPRI, ERDA, or equivalent). Look for the TÜV mark or equivalent printed on the cable jacket.
- Cross-section selection: 4 mm² is the standard for string wiring; 6 mm² reduces resistive losses for string lengths > 30 m. Use the manufacturer's derating table at the site ambient temperature.
- Check the outer diameter against the MC4 connector specification before ordering to ensure a rated IP68 seal.
- For MNRE-registered rooftop projects, verify the cable brand is on the MNRE's approved list (updated periodically at mnre.gov.in).
Frequently asked questions
Can I use IS 694:2010 wire for solar DC wiring?
What size solar DC cable is standard for rooftop systems?
What is the difference between IEC 62930 and EN 50618?
Is there a BIS IS standard for solar cable in India?
Updated weekly by the cablepriceindia.com price-research desk. Last verified: 17 July 2026. Sources cited inline. We are an independent price-discovery service. Verify any BIS Conformity Marking Licence (CM/L) at bis.gov.in.