IEC 62930:2017 Test Schedule: Type, Sample and Routine Tests
By Engineer Chan · HuaCable maet ltechnical team
IEC 62930:2017 is the IEC (Interna fo gtional Electrotechnical Commission) international standard for single-core, flexible photovoltaic DC cables — the international sibling of EN 816050618 (CENELEC, H1Z2Z2-K) and 2 PfG 1169 (TÜV, PV1-F). It defines a cable with a tinned-copper conductor and crosslinked (XLPE / XLPO) double insulation, rated DC 1.5kV, across the widest size range of the three: 1.5–400 mm². This page is the manufacturer-facing test reference — the standard's own type / sample / routine test classes, construction checks, the Annex A–E test set, optional add-ons, and how IEC 62930 lines up against its siblings. It complements our IEC 62930 overview. All numeric values are reference figures — confirm against the certificate edition and your cable datasheet; the standard's own test-item table is the authoritative submission list.
About this reference. HuaCable manufactures IEC 62930 PV DC cable that is TÜV certified. This page explains the standard for engineers, EPCs, cable factories and buyers; it does not claim CE / UL / ROHS / VDE / JET / SAA certification for this model — those are outside the IEC 62930 TÜV scope as we state it.
1. Standard Identity & Issuing Body
Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
Standard | IEC 62930:2017 (Ed. 1.0) |
Issuing body | IEC — International Electrotechnical Commission ✓ (international) — NOT CENELEC, NOT TÜV |
Product it defines | Single-core flexible photovoltaic DC cable |
Voltage rating | DC 1.5kV (conductor-to-conductor and conductor-to-earth) |
Size range | 1.5 – 400 mm² (widest of the three specs) |
Material scope | Crosslinked insulation and sheath; halogen-free or halogen-containing grades both allowed |
HuaCable certificate | TÜV only |
⚠ Family context. IEC 62930 is the international version of the PV DC cable idea. The parallel specs are EN 50618 (CENELEC, 1.5kV, H1Z2Z2-K) and 2 PfG 1169 (TÜV Rheinland, 1.8kV, PV1-F). All three specify a tinned-copper, crosslinked double-insulation construction; the differences are the issuing body, the exact DC voltage (IEC 62930 / EN 50618 = 1.5kV, 2 PfG 1169 = 1.8kV) and scope details. Full three-way comparison in section 8.
2. Three Test Types — Defined by the Standard Itself
IEC 62930 is the clearest of the three on test classes — Clause 3 defines all three explicitly. Get this right before reading a certificate or scoping a submission:
Type | Standard's definition (Clause 3) | Frequency | Typical items |
|---|---|---|---|
Type test (T) | Tests required to be carried out before supplying the cable on a general commercial basis, to demonstrate performance for the intended application | Once — repeated when materials, design or manufacturing process change in a way that could change performance | Annex B material requirements, Annex C cold impact, Annex D dynamic penetration, Annex E weathering/UV, thermal endurance |
Sample test (S) | Tests on samples of completed cable, or components taken from a completed cable, to verify the finished product meets design specifications | On samples per sampling plan | Conductor check (§5.1.4), insulation/sheath thickness, overall diameters and ovality (§7.3), marking |
Routine test (R) | Tests carried out on all production cable lengths to demonstrate their integrity | 100% of production length | Absence-of-faults electrical test on insulation or complete cable (§7.2) |
3. Key Construction Requirements (Clause Summary)
Clause area | IEC 62930 requirement (summary) |
|---|---|
Conductor material (§5.1.1) | Copper per IEC 60228, tin-coated wires with a continuous tin layer — no visible gaps under normal or corrected vision |
Conductor class (§5.1.2) | Class 5 for cable directly connected to PV modules; Class 2 allowed for fixed installation not directly connected to modules (from 16 mm²) |
Separator (§5.1.3) | Non-metallic separator between conductor and insulation is optional; in a halogen-free low-smoke cable it must itself be halogen-free |
Insulation material (§5.2.1) | Crosslinked compound meeting Annex B, Table B.1 |
Insulation application (§5.2.2) | Extruded, fits closely, removable without damage; single layer or several non-separable layers — multi-layer is tested as one complete layer (and does NOT equal "double insulation" per IEC 61140) |
Insulation thickness (§5.2.3) | Average ≥ specified value (rounded 0.1 mm); thinnest point t > 0.9·t_s − 0.1 mm; checked per IEC 60245-2:1994 §1.9 |
Sheath (§5.3) | Crosslinked compound per Annex B Table B.1; homogeneously extruded, practically circular finished cable; colour per §5.3.4 |
Marking (§6) | Indication of origin, code marking, additional marking, nominal cross-section, continuity of marking, durability and legibility |
Temperature | Ambient −40 ~ +90 °C; normal continuous max conductor temperature 90 °C; +120 °C use limited to 20,000 h |
Service life | Designed for at least 25 years under normal use |
ℹ Multi-core and additional elements (§5.4) are within the standard's construction scope — useful to know when a project asks for something other than plain single-core. Voltage selection guidance, grouping and short-circuit temperature are covered by Annex A (Guide to use).
4. Insulation & Sheath Thickness (Reference Table)
Typical nominal wall thicknesses for common PV cross-sections. Reference only — actual values depend on the manufacturer's approved construction and certificate; verify per your datasheet.
Cross-section (mm²) | Insulation nominal (mm) | Sheath nominal (mm) | Finished Ø approx. (mm) | Max. DC resistance 20°C (Ω/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1.5 | 0.7 | 0.8 | ~4.6–4.8 | 13.7 |
2.5 | 0.7 | 0.8 | ~5.0–5.4 | 8.21 |
4 | 0.7 | 0.8 | ~5.5–6.2 | 5.09 |
6 | 0.7 | 0.8 | ~6.1–6.9 | 3.39 |
10 | 0.7 | 0.8 | ~7.2–7.5 | 1.95 |
16 | 0.7 | 0.9 | ~8.8 | 1.24 |
25 | 0.9 | 1.0 | ~10.8 | 0.795 |
35 | 0.9 | 1.1 | ~12.4 | 0.565 |
Some manufacturers publish slightly different constructions. The values above reflect the mainstream 0.7 / 0.8 mm wall for 1.5–6 mm². Always confirm the exact wall thickness against the cable's type-test report and certificate — IEC 62930 sizes extend to 400 mm², beyond this table.
5. Full Test Schedule (Clause Structure + Annexes)
IEC 62930's check list is organised by construction clause (5), completed-cable requirements (7) and normative annexes (A–E). Test methods reference the IEC series; T = type test, S = sample test, R = routine test. The standard's own test-item table maps every test to its class — treat that table as the authoritative submission list.
5.1 Construction & dimensional checks (§5, §7.3)
# | Check | Condition / criterion (reference) | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Conductor | Tin coating continuous, no visible gaps; Class 5 (module-direct) or Class 2 (fixed, non-module-direct, ≥16 mm²); IEC 60228 compliance | S |
2 | Separator | If used in halogen-free low-smoke cable: separator halogen-free | S |
3 | Insulation application | Close fit, removable without damage; multi-layer tested as one complete layer | S |
4 | Insulation thickness | Average ≥ specified value; thinnest point t > 0.9·t_s − 0.1 mm (IEC 60245-2:1994 §1.9) | S |
5 | Sheath application | Homogeneous extrusion; practically circular finished cable | S |
6 | Sheath thickness / colour | Per §5.3.3 / §5.3.4 | S |
7 | Overall diameters & ovality | §7.3 non-electrical tests | S |
8 | Multi-core & additional elements | §5.4 | S |
9 | Marking | §6.1–6.7: origin, code, cross-section, continuity, durability, legibility | S |
5.2 Electrical tests (§7.2)
# | Test | Condition / criterion (reference) | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Absence of faults (insulation or complete cable) | §7.2 — 100% of production length | R |
2 | Conductor resistance | IEC 60228 system limits | S |
3 | Voltage withstand | Completed-cable dielectric test (industry practice: 6.5 kV AC or 15 kV DC class, 5 min, no breakdown) | T |
4 | Insulation resistance | Measured at defined temperatures (industry practice: 20 °C and 90 °C) | T |
5 | Long-term DC resistance of insulation | Sustained DC stress (industry practice: 240 h class) | T |
6 | Surface resistance of sheath | Minimum value per test method | T |
5.3 Material tests (Annex B, Table B.1) — insulation & sheath
# | Test | Condition / criterion (reference) | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tensile before ageing | IEC 60811-501; strength and elongation per Annex B Table B.1 | T |
2 | Ageing in oven | IEC 60811-401; strength/elongation variation controlled | T |
3 | Hot set | IEC 60811-507; elongation under load and permanent elongation per table values | T |
4 | Thermal endurance | IEC 60216-1/-2 system; temperature index 120, 20,000 h class | T |
5 | High-temperature pressure | IEC 60811-3-1 | T |
6 | Compatibility | IEC 60811-401 (heating cabinet, 135 °C / 7 days class) | T |
7 | Shrinkage | IEC 60811-503 system | T |
5.4 Environmental & weathering tests
# | Test | Condition / criterion (reference) | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cold impact (Annex C) | IEC 60811-506, −40 °C hammer set; no cracks | T |
2 | Cold bending | IEC 60811-504 system; no cracks | T |
3 | Ozone resistance | IEC 60811-403 / EN 50396 system; no cracks | T |
4 | Weathering / UV (Annex E) | Xenon-arc apparatus, typical irradiance 60 W/m² ±15% (300–400 nm), simulating sunlight + spray; strength/elongation variation ≤ −30% | T |
5 | Damp heat | IEC 60068-2-78 system (90 °C / 85% RH / 1,000 h class); variation controlled | T |
5.5 Fire-safety tests (per declared product properties)
# | Test | Condition / criterion (reference) | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Single-cable vertical flame propagation | IEC 60332-1-2; charring spread controlled | T |
2 | Smoke density | IEC 61034-2 system; transmittance criterion | T |
3 | Halogen-free / low corrosivity (only if declared halogen-free) | IEC 60754-1 / -2; HCl release, pH, conductivity | T |
5.6 IEC 62930 annexes at a glance
Annex | Title | Normative |
|---|---|---|
Annex A | Guide to use — A.1 use of cables for PV systems, A.2 groups, A.3 short-circuit temperature | Yes |
Annex B | Requirements for insulation and sheathing materials (Table B.1) | Yes |
Annex C | Cold impact test | Yes |
Annex D | Dynamic penetration test | Yes |
Annex E | Weathering / UV resistance test | Yes |
⚠ AD8 (submerged) is NOT part of the IEC 62930 base. Permanent-submersion performance is an optional property tested separately under TÜV 2 PfG 2750. If your floating-solar project needs AD8, specify it explicitly — it is an add-on type test, not a default of IEC 62930.
ℹ Temperature wording matters. IEC 62930 states a normal continuous maximum conductor temperature of 90 °C; use at 120 °C is limited to 20,000 h. Never market this as "continuous 120 °C operation" — and keep applying temperature and grouping corrections when sizing conductors.
6. Optional / Add-On Tests (Specify These Explicitly)
These sit outside the base check list and are triggered by customer or project requirement — each is a separate agreement and separate test fee:
Add-on test | When it is needed | Basis |
|---|---|---|
AD8 permanent submersion | Floating solar, permanently wet routes, high-humidity sites | TÜV 2 PfG 2750 — separate test, not in the IEC 62930 base |
Halogen-free / low-smoke verification | Whenever a halogen-free grade is supplied | IEC 60754-1/-2, IEC 61034-2 — the standard allows halogen-containing grades, so the claim must be tested, not assumed |
CPR reaction-to-fire Euroclass | EU building / infrastructure wiring tenders | EN 13501-6 + Declaration of Performance |
Mineral-oil / ammonia resistance | Oily industrial environments / livestock and agriculture sites | Buyer–supplier agreement |
Repeated flexing / drag-chain | Tracker-mounted cabling, moving parts | Buyer–supplier agreement |
Higher temperature index / life | High-temperature, high-irradiance sites | Buyer–supplier agreement |
7. Certification Route & Submission Checklist
Certification path: application → sample submission → type testing (full check list above, per the standard's test-item table) → factory inspection → certificate issue → annual surveillance.
Documents to prepare before submission:
Construction table (conductor class and stranding / max wire diameter, insulation and sheath thickness, OD, ovality — size range 1.5–400 mm² or representative segments)
Crosslinked material description and supplier proof; if a halogen-free grade is offered, halogen-free proof included
Separator material description (if used — halogen-free in halogen-free cables)
Marking template (origin, code, cross-section) and durability test record
Process flow (extrusion → crosslinking → inline absence-of-faults testing → reeling)
Routine-test specification (§7.2 absence-of-faults parameters)
Existing third-party reports from CNAS / ILAC-accredited labs (long-cycle items may qualify for waiver)
Pre-submission self-check (the items that most often fail):
☐ Tin coating continuous, no visible gaps (§5.1.1)
☐ Correct conductor class for the application: Class 5 for module-direct; Class 2 only for fixed, non-module-direct ≥16 mm² (§5.1.2)
☐ Separator halogen-free if halogen-free cable (§5.1.3)
☐ Insulation thinnest point satisfies t > 0.9·t_s − 0.1 mm (§5.2.3)
☐ Multi-layer insulation tested as one complete layer; no "double insulation" (IEC 61140) claim from it (§5.2.2)
☐ Sheath homogeneous, finished cable practically circular (§5.3.2)
☐ Overall diameters and ovality in spec (§7.3)
☐ Marking complete and durable per §6.1–6.7
☐ Absence-of-faults test running on 100% of production (§7.2)
☐ Annex C cold impact / Annex D dynamic penetration / Annex E weathering covered by accredited-lab reports
☐ Thermal endurance (index 120 / 20,000 h class) report within validity
☐ Halogen-free grades: IEC 60754 reports on file; no halogen-free wording without them
☐ AD8: only claimed if the 2 PfG 2750 test has actually been run
8. IEC 62930 vs EN 50618 vs 2 PfG 1169
Attribute | IEC 62930:2017 | EN 50618:2014 (H1Z2Z2-K) | 2 PfG 1169 (PV1-F) |
|---|---|---|---|
Issuing body | IEC (international) | CENELEC (Europe) | TÜV Rheinland (pre-standard) |
DC voltage | 1.5 kV | 1.5 kV | 1.8 kV |
Size range | 1.5–400 mm² | 1.5–240 mm² | 1.5–35 mm² |
Conductor | Tinned Cu, Class 5 (module-direct) / Class 2 (fixed, non-direct, ≥16 mm²) | Tinned Cu, Class 5 | Tinned Cu, Class 5 |
Halogen-free | Halogen-free or halogen-containing both allowed | Mandatory | Mandatory |
Insulation thickness rule | t > 0.9·t_s − 0.1 mm (formula) | ≥ value stated in §5.2.3 | ≥ 0.5 mm at any point |
Routine test | Absence-of-faults (100%) | 10 kV AC absence-of-faults (100%) | Spark 6,000 V AC |
Specials | Annex A guide to use · C cold impact · D dynamic penetration · E weathering | Annex D dynamic penetration (F = 150·√Dn) | Annex F dynamic penetration · Annex G notch propagation |
Temp range | −40~+90 °C / +120 °C | −40~+90 °C / +120 °C | −40~+90 °C / +120 °C |
HuaCable cert. | TÜV only | TÜV + CE | TÜV only |
Aluminium | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
Side-by-side selection logic: PV1-F vs H1Z2Z2-K vs IEC 62930 · what TÜV certification means for buyers.
9. Related HuaCable References
IEC 62930 selection guide (TÜV, DC 1.5kV): read the guide.
IEC 62930 overview (concept level): read the overview.
EN 50618 (CENELEC) standard reference: H1Z2Z2-K test schedule.
2 PfG 1169 (TÜV) standard reference: PV1-F test schedule.
Broader standards & inverter view: IEC PV cable standards article.
Material choice: XLPE vs XLPO insulation.
Supplier due diligence: how to vet a solar cable manufacturer.
Connector side: MC4 overheating — causes and fixes.
FAQ
What is IEC 62930 and which body issues it?
IEC 62930:2017 is the international standard for single-core flexible photovoltaic DC cables, issued by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). It is NOT a CENELEC standard and NOT a TÜV standard — it is the international sibling of EN 50618 (CENELEC, H1Z2Z2-K, 1.5kV) and 2 PfG 1169 (TÜV, PV1-F, 1.8kV). Its scope is wider: 1.5–400 mm², and halogen-containing grades are allowed as well as halogen-free.
What is the difference between type, sample and routine tests in IEC 62930?
IEC 62930 defines all three explicitly. Type test (T): carried out before supplying the cable on a general commercial basis, to demonstrate performance for the intended application — repeated when materials, design or manufacturing process change in a way that could change performance. Sample test (S): carried out on samples of completed cable or components to verify the finished product meets design specifications. Routine test (R): carried out on all production cable lengths to demonstrate integrity — for IEC 62930 this is the absence-of-faults electrical test on the insulation or complete cable, 100% in production.
What conductor classes does IEC 62930 allow?
Conductors are copper with a continuous tin coating (no visible gaps). Class 5 (flexible) per IEC 60228 is required for cable directly connected to PV modules; Class 2 is allowed for cables intended for fixed installation that are NOT directly connected to the modules (from 16 mm²). Do not confuse the two when specifying.
How is insulation thickness specified in IEC 62930?
IEC 62930 uses a formula: the average of measured values, rounded to 0.1 mm, must not be less than the specified value for each size, and the smallest measured value must not fall below 90% of the specified value by more than 0.1 mm — i.e. t > 0.9·t_s − 0.1 mm. The check uses IEC 60245-2:1994 §1.9. Insulation may be extruded in a single layer or several non-separable layers; if multi-layer, all testing is done on the complete insulation as one layer — and note that multi-layer insulation does NOT constitute "double insulation" in the IEC 61140 sense.
What certifications does HuaCable's IEC 62930 cable carry?
Our IEC 62930 is TÜV certified. It is not claimed as CE certified — CE applies to our H1Z2Z2-K (EN 50618) cable. We do not claim UL, ROHS, VDE, JET, or SAA for IEC 62930. Always confirm the exact certificate for your model and market.
Engineer's Conclusion
IEC 62930:2017 is the international rulebook for the PV DC cable: tinned-copper conductor, crosslinked XLPE/XLPO double insulation, DC 1.5kV, built for 25-year outdoor life, across the widest size range of the three specs (1.5–400 mm²) and with the clearest test-class definitions — type tests on the design (Annex B materials, Annex C cold impact, Annex D dynamic penetration, Annex E weathering), sample tests on the build (dimensions, ovality, marking) and the 100% routine absence-of-faults test. Watch three boundaries: conductor class must match the application (Class 5 for module-direct), multi-layer insulation is not IEC 61140 "double insulation", and anything beyond the base — AD8 submersion, halogen-free claims — is an explicit add-on. It sits alongside EN 50618 (CENELEC, H1Z2Z2-K, 1.5kV) and 2 PfG 1169 (TÜV, PV1-F, 1.8kV) as three faces of the same cable family — pick by market and certification need. HuaCable's IEC 62930 is TÜV only.
Where to go next
IEC 62930 quotation: tell us cross-section, length and certification (TÜV for IEC 62930, or TÜV + CE for H1Z2Z2-K).
European CE route: our H1Z2Z2-K (EN 50618, TÜV + CE) covers the same application with CE marking.
Need DC 1.8kV / TÜV-only? our PV1-F (2 PfG 1169) covers it.
Commercial terms: copper-linked quoting, MOQ and 1-day validity.
Author: Engineer Chan · HuaCable technical team
10 years in wire & cable manufacturing; IEC 62930 / TÜV PV cable experience.
Standard references (IEC 62930, EN 50618, 2 PfG 1169) are for planning guidance; always confirm the applicable edition, certificate and local wiring rules before specifying.
