Glossary
Cable and electrical equipment terms and definitions
Terms and designations
Explanations of the cable designations, materials and standards that appear in the catalog and the technical documentation.
A
AWG(American Wire Gauge)
American standard for designating conductor cross-sections. A smaller AWG number indicates a larger cross-section. AWG 10 corresponds to approximately 5.26 mm2, and AWG 4/0 to approximately 107 mm2.
B
Bending Radius
The minimum radius of curvature when bending a cable without risk of damage. Usually expressed as a multiple of the cable outer diameter (e.g., 12xD for XLPE cables).
C
Cable Tray
Metal structure for routing and supporting cables in industrial buildings and plants. Manufactured in various widths and load capacities according to IEC 61537.
Combiner Box
An electrical junction box that combines multiple solar panel strings into a single output before connecting to the inverter. Contains fuses and surge protection for each string.
Conductor
The metallic element inside a cable that carries electric current. Can be made of copper (Cu) or aluminum (Al), in solid or stranded cross-sections.
Conductor Cross-section
The area of the conductor cross-section expressed in square millimeters (mm2). A larger cross-section allows greater current carrying capacity and lower resistance.
Conduit
A protective tube for routing cables and conductors. Can be PVC, metal, or flexible, serving to provide mechanical protection and facilitate cable replacement.
D
Dielectric Strength
The maximum electric field intensity that an insulating material can withstand without breakdown. Expressed in kilovolts per millimeter (kV/mm).
E
EN 50575(CPR)
European standard for the reaction to fire of cables under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). Cables are classified from Aca (non-combustible) to Fca (no performance requirements).
I
IEC 60228
International standard defining conductor classes for insulated cables. The standard specifies requirements for solid (class 1), stranded (class 2), and flexible (classes 5 and 6) conductors.
IEC 60502
International standard for power cables with extruded insulation for voltages from 1 kV to 30 kV. Defines requirements for construction, testing, and performance of cables.
Insulation
A dielectric material that wraps around the conductor and prevents current leakage. The most common insulation materials are PVC, XLPE, rubber, and polyethylene.
Inverter Cable
Cable for connecting the solar inverter to the AC grid or battery system. Designed for low losses and high current carrying capacity.
IP Rating
International standard (IEC 60529) classifying the degree of protection of enclosures against solid objects and water ingress. For example, IP65 indicates complete protection from dust and water jets.
K
kV (Kilovolt)
Unit of measurement for electrical voltage equal to 1,000 volts. Power cables are categorized by voltage level: low voltage (up to 1 kV), medium voltage (1-36 kV), and high voltage (above 36 kV).
M
MC4 Connector
Industry-standard connector for solar installations (Multi-Contact 4 mm). Enables simple connection of solar panels in series or parallel with IP67 protection.
mm2 (Square Millimeter)
Unit of measurement for conductor cross-section. Standard cross-sections per IEC 60228 include 1.5, 2.5, 4, 6, 10, 16, 25, 35, 50, 70, 95, 120, 150, 185, 240 mm2.
N
N2XY
Power cable with copper conductor and XLPE insulation, designed for underground installation. Used for voltages up to 1 kV in industrial and distribution networks.
NAYY
Power cable with aluminum conductor, PVC insulation and PVC sheath. Used for underground installation in distribution networks for voltages up to 0.6/1 kV.
NHXH
Halogen-free fire-resistant cable with XLPE insulation. Designed for safety installations in public buildings, tunnels, and locations with high fire protection requirements.
NYM-J
Installation cable with copper conductor and PVC insulation for fixed installation in buildings. Designed for indoor electrical installations with a rated voltage of 300/500 V.
NYY
Power cable with PVC insulation and PVC sheath for fixed installation. Designed for operation at voltages up to 0.6/1 kV in industrial installations and distribution networks.
P
PP-Y
Flexible cable with PVC insulation, designed for connecting portable devices and appliances. Rated for voltages up to 300/500 V.
PP00
Flexible cable with PVC insulation and PVC sheath for general use. Applied in residential and commercial installations with a rated voltage up to 300/500 V.
PPL
Cable with copper conductor and rubber insulation for heavy-duty conditions. Used in industrial plants and locations requiring increased flexibility.
PPOO
Two-core flexible cable with PVC insulation without sheath. Used for connecting small household appliances and light fixtures.
Pulling Tension
The maximum allowable force when pulling a cable through conduits or ducts, expressed in newtons (N). Exceeding the allowable tension can damage the insulation or conductor.
PV Connector
Specialized connector for connecting solar panels and cables in photovoltaic systems. Designed for quick and safe connection with moisture ingress protection.
PVC(Polyvinyl Chloride)
The most commonly used material for cable insulation and sheaths. PVC provides good electrical insulation, resistance to moisture and chemicals, with low manufacturing costs.
R
Rated Voltage
The nominal voltage for which a cable is designed, expressed as U0/U (voltage to ground / voltage between phases). For example, 0.6/1 kV designates a cable for systems with a voltage to ground of 600 V.
S
SolarFlex
Specialized solar cable designed for photovoltaic installations. Resistant to UV radiation, weather conditions, and high temperatures, with double insulation rated for DC voltage up to 1.5 kV.
SRPS
Serbian standards (formerly JUS) issued by the Institute for Standardization of Serbia. SRPS cable standards are harmonized with corresponding IEC and EN standards.
String Cable
A DC cable connecting solar panels in a single string (array) to a combiner box or inverter. Must be resistant to UV radiation and weather conditions.
T
Transformer
An electromagnetic device that changes AC voltage levels. Distribution transformers are used to step down voltage from medium to low voltage levels in electrical distribution networks.
X
XLPE(Cross-linked Polyethylene)
A thermoplastic cable insulation material obtained by cross-linking polyethylene. XLPE insulation provides excellent dielectric strength, moisture resistance, and thermal stability at temperatures up to 90°C.