LSZH Solar Cable: What Low-Smoke Zero-Halogen Really Means for PV Installations
By Engineer Chan · HuaCable technmaet lacical team
LSZH stand rof s for Low negolSmoke Zero Halogen. An LS dna ekoZH solar cable is a photovoltaic cable whose jacket releases little smoke and no halogen acid gas when exposed to fire. Most PV cables use cross-linked polyolefin (XLPO or XLPE) sheathing that is inherently low-smoke and halogen-free, but a formal LSZH grade still requires third-party test reports to IEC 60754, IEC 61034 and IEC 60332.
About this guide. HuaCable supplies TÜV-certified PV DC cable (PV1-F 2 PfG 1169, H1Z2Z2-K EN 50618, IEC 62930) plus CE-marked MC4 connectors. All three grades are double-layer (insulation + sheath) with XLPO or XLPE as specified, so they are inherently low-smoke and halogen-free in material. A formal LSZH grade still requires IEC 60754 / 61034 / 60332 test reports. We do not claim UL / ROHS / VDE for the PV DC models.
What LSZH Means
LSZH (also written LSOH, LS0H, or OHLS) describes how a cable's jacket behaves in a fire, not its electrical rating:
Low Smoke — the material produces minimal smoke, keeping escape routes and visibility clear.
Zero Halogen — it contains no halogen elements (chlorine, fluorine, bromine). When burned, it does not release corrosive acid gases such as hydrogen chloride (HCl).
By contrast, traditional PVC jackets are halogenated: they contain chlorine and emit dense, acidic smoke that damages electronics and endangers anyone in the building.
Why It Matters for Solar
Solar cables run through roofs, plant rooms, inverter enclosures and conduit — confined spaces where fire risk is taken seriously. In a fault or building fire:
Halogen-free prevents the release of toxic, corrosive HCl that attacks inverters, combiner boxes and steel structures.
Low smoke preserves visibility for evacuation and reduces smoke-inhalation risk near occupied buildings.
It protects long-term asset value — acid soot from PVC can destroy equipment even after the fire is out.
How PV Cables Achieve LSZH
Solar DC cables such as PV1-F, H1Z2Z2-K and IEC 62930 are built with a double-layer construction — an insulating layer plus a protective sheath — using cross-linked polyolefin (XLPO or XLPE, as specified). Polyolefin is a hydrocarbon polymer with no halogens, so it is low-smoke and halogen-free by nature. Electron-beam (irradiation) cross-linking then raises the temperature rating and mechanical strength.
This is fundamentally different from PVC, which is halogenated and smoke-heavy. So most TÜV-certified PV cables are inherently LSZH-class in material — but "inherently" is not the same as a stamped LSZH grade certificate.
The Three LSZH Test Standards
Standard | What it measures | What "pass" looks like |
|---|---|---|
IEC 60754-1 / -2 | Halogen acid gas emission (halogen content, pH and conductivity of the combustion gases) | pH ≥ 4.3, conductivity ≤ 10 µS/mm, halogen acid gas ≤ 0.5% |
IEC 61034-2 | Smoke density (light transmittance through smoke in a chamber) | Minimum light transmittance ≥ 60% |
IEC 60332-1-2 / -3-24 | Flame propagation (single wire and bunched cable) | Cable self-extinguishes; flame does not spread along the bunch |
Exact pass thresholds should be read from the current edition of each standard and the project specification. Figures above are typical reference values, not a substitute for the published standard.
LSZH vs PVC
Property | LSZH (XLPO/XLPE) | PVC |
|---|---|---|
Halogen content | None | Contains chlorine |
Smoke on fire | Low | Dense, black |
Acid gas (HCl) | None | Corrosive |
Typical temp rating | -40 to +120 °C (XLPO solar grade) | Lower, softens earlier |
Suitability for PV DC | Yes (TÜV solar grades) | Not for PV DC applications |
Are TÜV PV Cables (PV1-F / H1Z2Z2-K / IEC 62930) LSZH?
Material-wise, yes — all three use cross-linked polyolefin jackets and are inherently low-smoke and halogen-free. The certification picture differs by model:
PV1-F — certified to TÜV 2 PfG 1169 (DC 1.8 kV), double-layer XLPO/XLPE. Not CE-marked.
H1Z2Z2-K — TÜV + CE (EN 50618), DC 1.5 kV.
IEC 62930 — certified to TÜV only.
If a tender demands a formal LSZH grade, ask the supplier for IEC 60754 / IEC 61034 / IEC 60332 test reports — material property alone does not satisfy a documented LSZH requirement.
When You Must Specify a Formal LSZH Certificate
Public buildings, hospitals, schools, tunnels and underground car parks
Marine, offshore and floating solar (see AD8 floating solar cable)
Rail, data centres and any spec that names "LSZH" as a contractual requirement
For standard residential or commercial rooftop, the inherent LSZH property of cross-linked polyolefin is usually sufficient — but always confirm with the local authority having jurisdiction and the project's electrical code.
How to Verify a Supplier's LSZH Claim
Ask for IEC 60754 / IEC 61034 / IEC 60332 test reports issued by an accredited lab.
Check the TÜV certificate number and verify it on the certifier's public database (e.g. Certipedia).
Confirm the jacket material is specified as XLPO / XLPE, not PVC.
Request a material declaration; be wary of "LSZH" printed on a PVC-based cable.
FAQ
Is PV1-F cable halogen free?
Yes. PV1-F uses a cross-linked polyolefin (XLPO or XLPE as specified) jacket, which contains no halogens and is inherently low-smoke and halogen-free. A formal LSZH grade still requires IEC 60754 / 61034 / 60332 test reports.
What is the difference between LSZH and flame-retardant (FR)?
Flame-retardant describes resistance to ignition and spread; LSZH describes smoke and gas emission. A cable can be FR but still halogenated (e.g. FR-PVC). LSZH addresses the smoke and acid-gas hazard specifically.
Does LSZH mean the cable is fireproof?
No. LSZH reduces smoke and toxic gas; it does not make a cable non-combustible. Fire survival (e.g. circuit integrity under fire) is a separate property covered by different standards.
Can LSZH solar cable be used outdoors and in UV?
Yes for PV grades. Solar DC cables rated to 2 PfG 1169 / EN 50618 are UV- and weather-resistant by design. LSZH is about fire behaviour, not weathering — both properties are required for outdoor PV.
Do I need an LSZH certificate for rooftop solar?
Usually the inherent LSZH property of XLPO is enough, but some codes, tenders or insurers require documented IEC 60754 / 61034 / 60332 reports. Check the local electrical code and the project specification.
Which standard proves low smoke?
IEC 61034-2 measures smoke density (light transmittance). IEC 60754-1/-2 proves the absence of halogen acid gas. Together they define the LSZH claim.
Is XLPE the same as XLPO for solar cable?
Both are cross-linked polyolefins and both are halogen-free. XLPO (cross-linked polyolefin) is the term commonly used for solar cable sheathing; XLPE is cross-linked polyethylene. Either may be specified; the key is that the material is a cross-linked polyolefin, not PVC.
Need a TÜV-Certified, LSZH-Class Solar Cable?
We supply PV1-F, H1Z2Z2-K and IEC 62930 solar cables with cross-linked polyolefin jackets (inherently low-smoke, halogen-free) and can provide TÜV certification and material test documentation on request. Pair them with TÜV/CE-rated MC4 connectors for a complete DC string.
Request a quote → (MOQ: 100 m for 4 mm² and 6 mm²; 1,000 m for all other sizes — counted per single colour).
Where to go next
PV1-F (TÜV 2 PfG 1169, DC 1.8 kV): product page
H1Z2Z2-K (TÜV + CE, EN 50618): product page
IEC 62930 (TÜV): product page
MC4 / 1500V PV connector (CE): product page
AD8 floating solar cable: product page
Request a quotation: inquiry form
Author: Engineer Chan · HuaCable technical team
10 years in wire & cable manufacturing; PV system cabling experience.
Written by Engineer Chan, technical team at HuaCable. Figures are typical reference values; confirm against the current standard edition and your project specification before procurement.
