In the construction and operation of photovoltaic power stations, cables play a key role in energy transmission, and their safety and reliability are of paramount importance. To ensure the quality and performance of photovoltaic cables, various certifications have become crucial standards. TUV and UL are internationally recognized authoritative certification bodies, and their certifications signify that the products comply with safety and performance standards worldwide. In addition to the well-known TUV and UL certifications, there is a series of other certifications that collectively form a comprehensive system for photovoltaic cable certification.
I. CPR (Construction Products Regulation)
CPR is a regulation formulated by the European Union regarding construction products, which also applies to building products such as photovoltaic cables. CPR aims to ensure that construction products meet uniform standards in safety, health, and environmental aspects for the European market, promoting free trade and eliminating technical trade barriers. CPR products undergo European level tests and certifications from A to F based on their flame characteristics (additional classification is applied to smoke, burning droplets, and acidity according to classification requirements). Currently, most photovoltaic cable products on the market have fire resistance levels of Eca and Dca, which are relatively low. Only a very small number of suppliers meet Cca and higher standards. KUKACABLE's photovoltaic cables comply with the B2ca standard, verified by TUV testing institutions specializing in cable testing. Performance test Declaration of Performance (DoP) documents for each batch of goods are stored for a statutory period of 10 years for traceability purposes.
II. AD8
AD8 refers to waterproof testing of photovoltaic cables based on the waterproof standard provided by EN 50525-2-21:2011. The waterproof testing and certification are graded from 1 to 8 based on the product's waterproof characteristics. AD8 represents the highest waterproof level, allowing the cable to be immersed in a fully covered water environment for an extended period.
III. ISO 4892-3
ISO 4892-3 is an international standard used to evaluate the aging performance of photovoltaic cables under simulated climate conditions. This standard is typically employed to assess the weather resistance of materials, such as the outer sheath of photovoltaic cables, ensuring their durability when used outdoors. KUKACABLE's laboratory uses this standard as the minimum criterion for testing the aging performance of our photovoltaic cables, and corresponding quality inspection reports are provided for each batch of products to ensure product quality.
IV. RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)
RoHS is a regulation enacted by the European Union to restrict the content of hazardous substances used in electronic and electrical equipment. The RoHS directive specifies certain hazardous substances and sets limits on their use in electronic and electrical equipment. The directive aims to reduce the environmental and health impact of these hazardous substances. All photovoltaic cables produced by KUKACABLE use low-smoke, halogen-free materials, excluding chlorine, bromine, and other halogen elements. Consequently, no harmful halides, such as hydrogen halide, are produced during combustion, reducing the generation of toxic gases. In addition, they exhibit excellent flame-retardant performance and other physical and chemical properties, such as heat resistance and weather resistance.
IEC certification covers the global electrical and electronic fields, and its contribution to standardizing photovoltaic cables should not be overlooked. It ensures that photovoltaic cables comply with international standards, enhancing product universality and interoperability.
Moreover, different countries have their own certifications, such as China's CCC certification, the EU's CE certification, Germany's VDE certification, Australia's SAA certification, etc. These certifications not only ensure that products comply with local regulatory requirements but also reflect a high level of attention to product quality and safety.
In conclusion, the certification system for photovoltaic cables is a multi-level, comprehensive network. International certifications such as TUV and UL complement national and industry certifications, forming the foundation for ensuring the quality and performance of photovoltaic cables. From its inception, KUKA CABLE has focused on producing high-quality products and currently holds more than 20 certifications of various types. For photovoltaic cables, relying on an advanced cable laboratory, we have established a unique quality control model called "SIF (SafeFlex Integrity Framework)," with key electrical and mechanical performance exceeding mainstream standards such as EN50618.
