Can you bury PV Ultra cable?

7 comments started 2024-07-21 last 2024-07-22
Commisioning
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#1 CGoode

My original installation (10 x 415w panels in 2 strings, 3.6HY Gen2 Inv & 9.5kWh Gen 2 batt) had an armoured cable from the roof panels to the Inverter which is located in my attached garage. This cable ran from the loft, outside down the rear house wall & was shallow buried against the side wall of my house under some existing gravel from the back to the front of my house & into the garage.

Fast forward 9 months & I decided to add a 2nd 9.5kW battery & 5 more solar panels. This would require modifying the existing 10 panels into 1 string & the 5 new panels would make up the 2nd string & would be a fairly simple re-wire job in the loft space.
Anyhow, after my installer came out to survey I was told they would have to replace the armoured cable to meet "new regs". Something about double insulation requirements which SWA did not meet? Anyhow, it turns out the new cable they were intending to use was PV Ultra designed specifically for PV installations but, because it was not armoured they could not bury it as per the original cable. As a result I now have an exposed cable approx. 3.5m above the ground running the length of my house side wall which IMO looks pretty naff.

So my question is, can you shallow bury PV Ultra cable without any additional protection & if not, what extra protection would be needed to allow it it be buried?

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#3 kram

Ignore the previous ramblings it’s DC cabling.

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#6 rob c

you would want mechanically protect the cable so a duct would be the minimum, normally this would a safe depth and have a warning tape above it.

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#7 CGoode

PaDav6 Thanks. I wonder why my installer didn't use this as a like for like replacement?

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#8 M_J

Time to bury and phaff might be that they couldn't be &rsed.

You have to be on top of trades to get them to do it how you want.

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#9 SteveCook

My experience after 40 years as consulting engineer in construction industry .
Installers/contractors are great at installing- that is their skill set. They are not designers and tend to use past experience from past jobs to to guide them what to do on current/future jobs. They do not have time/inclination to keep up with changing legislation and products. That is the job of the designer/consultant.
Most designers could not strip a cable and install it, but will have the knowledge to specify/advise what should be used and how it should be done.
The problem with domestic stuff is that it is generally too small (people dont want to pay) for a consultant/proper design, so homeowners rely on the the installer/contractor by default - who will not say "you need to pay for a design" when there is a job in the offing.
This is all more prevalent with rapidly changing products and technologies especially when manufacturers don't always seem to be up to speed with what should be done in different countries and particular legislation where kit is to be installed.