Cable insulation and UV

[JohnS]

Hi
I had to replace a tile on my roof this morning and I noticed that the red DC cable connecting the panels has faded to a pink colour where it is exposed to the sunlight.  In places it is almost white.  The black cable looks ok. The installation is 9+ years old, being installed just before FITS started in March 2010.

Is this something that I should be concerned about and get the cables replaced.  Perhaps with the cables inside flexible conduit where they are exposed to sunshine. 

Thanks in advance.

John

[Westie]

Hi
I had to replace a tile on my roof this morning and I noticed that the red DC cable connecting the panels has faded to a pink colour where it is exposed to the sunlight.  In places it is almost white.  The black cable looks ok. The installation is 9+ years old, being installed just before FITS started in March 2010.

Is this something that I should be concerned about and get the cables replaced.  Perhaps with the cables inside flexible conduit where they are exposed to sunshine. 

Thanks in advance.

John

As you say UV is degrading the insulation, eventually it'll just disintegrate. Fortunately the cable normally used for DC side has two layers of insulation.

[linesrg]

Good Evening Guys,

When I first set up my Solar PV I did toy with the idea of using both red and black genuine MC cable but stuck with the black.

Some of my cabling is now near 10 years old and there isn't a great deal of evidence of deterioration.

Regards

Richard

[Philip R]

Does the cable have a number on the sheath which would identify its composition, Something like H07-RNF (EPR PCP) for example.

Philip R

[JohnS]

Thanks for the replies.  I shall have a look at the cable and see if there are any numbers.
John