A KEY REFERENCE FOR MANY PV AND BESS INSTALLATIONS
ENERGY THAT FLOWS IN ONE DIRECTION
NEXANS FAMILIES TO EXPLORE DEPENDING ON YOUR NEEDS
01. APPLICATION
Three fields.
One shared energy source.
Generating, storing, powering: direct current is at the heart of many types of equipment.
Each connection comes with its own electrical and environmental requirements.
02. UNDERSTANDING DIRECT CURRENT
DC vs. AC:
What's the difference?
Direct current (DC) flows in one direction, with positive and negative polarity.
Alternating current (AC) periodically reverses direction.
Photovoltaic panels generate DC electricity, batteries store electrical energy, and many electronic devices use direct current.
Voltage ratings depending on the application: 0.75(0.9)/1.5(1.8) kV DC
| DC VOLTAGE | NOMINAL | MAXIMUM |
| Between a live conductor and earth | 750 V | 900 V |
| Between two live conductors | 1'500 V | 1 800 V |
| Key point: The electrical characteristics and operating limits of cables must be verified for each product reference, taking into account the manufacturer's specifications and installation conditions. |
03. NEXANS SOLUTIONS
The right cable.
In the right place.
Four cable families to meet your installation requirements: fire safety, outdoor conditions, resistance to high operating temperatures and power transmission.
Installation cables rated at 0.6/1(1.2) kV AC and 0.75/1.5(1.8) kV DC
The right reaction-to-fire performance for indoor and outdoor environments.
For direct current (DC) installations within buildings or between multiple buildings, cable selection must take into account electrical requirements, reaction-to-fire performance and fire protection regulations.
Technical note: Full CPR classifications are specified in the declarations of performance. Suitability for DC applications must be verified for the selected product reference.
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TITANEX® PREMIUM 1.5 kV DC
Flexibility and robustness, even in demanding environments.
Designed for industrial applications, TITANEX® PREMIUM combines flexibility with AD8 water resistance, making connections easier in environments exposed to moisture and challenging installation conditions.
Key benefits: Flexibility, AD8 water resistance, industrial applications, Reaction to fire: Class Eca
1,500 VDC in a fixed installation.
Nexans PV AC/DC
A dedicated solution for solar power infrastructure.
Designed for photovoltaic power connections in both AC and DC applications, this cable combines an aluminium conductor with XLPE insulation and a UV-resistant sheath.
Key benefits: Aluminium conductor, XLPE insulation, UV resistance.
Technical note: Suitable for fixed outdoor installations, cable trays, humid environments and protected underground installations, in accordance with the technical datasheet of the selected product reference.
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SIWO-KUL® BESS 1.5 kV DC
Power stays flexible, even at high temperatures.
The flexible tinned copper conductor and silicone insulation facilitate connections between batteries, converters, motors and generators in compact equipment.
Key benefits: Flexible tinned copper conductor, silicone insulation, up to 180°C*.
*Technical note: Thanks to their excellent resistance to high temperatures, SIWO-KUL® cables offer greater flexibility in handling temporary current peaks.
Which solution for which application?
| YOUR REQUIREMENTS | PRODUCT FAMILY TO EXPLORE | KEY CONSIDERATIONS |
| DC connection within a building | FE0-D · FE05-C · FE05-B2 | Conductor cross-section, CPR class and DC voltage |
| Flexible outdoor connection | TITANEX PREMIUM | Conductor cross-section, version and voltage |
| Photovoltaic power connection | PV AC/DC | Conductor cross-section, voltage drop and installation protection |
| Battery interconnection subject to current spikes (overheating) | SIWO-KUL | Permissible current-carrying capacity and equipment limitations |
| ! For guidance only: The final cable selection must be based on the specific product reference and actual installation conditions. |
04. PROPER CABLE SIZING
Your DC installation:
Four essential questions.
Reliable cable selection takes into account the electrical network characteristics, the power to be transmitted and the actual operating conditions.
05. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Direct current in practice.
Practical answers to help you understand DC applications and choose the right cables.
The insulation is exposed to different electrical stresses. A voltage rating permitted between two conductors does not automatically apply between a conductor and earth. The electrical network configuration must therefore be taken into account.
The choice depends on the fire protection concept, the building's intended use and the cable routing. FE0-D, FE05-C and FE05-B2 cover different CPR classes. The declaration of performance and the suitability of the selected cable reference for DC applications must be verified.
For power connections, Nexans PV AC/DC combines an aluminium conductor with XLPE insulation and a UV-resistant sheath. However, cable selection depends on the conductor cross-section, rated voltage and specified installation conditions.
No. Voltage levels depend on the electrical architecture and equipment used. Certain parts of the power supply use DC, but the voltage levels used in solar or energy storage systems do not automatically apply.
Not automatically. It is essential to verify that the selected cable reference is approved for this application and to comply with the specified voltage limits between two live conductors and between a live conductor and earth.
Not on its own. The thermal resistance of silicone insulation can meet the requirements of demanding environments. However, the permissible current-carrying capacity still depends on the conductor cross-section, ambient temperature, installation conditions, and the limitations of connections and equipment.
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