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As a clean energy technology, solar photovoltaic power generation is gaining increasing popularity. Photovoltaic (PV) cable, a vital component in solar PV systems, is responsible for the critical task of transmitting electrical energy. Its production requires precise technology and stringent quality control to ensure stable and reliable performance, meeting the demands of long-term outdoor use. PV-specific cables typically refer to those used to connect PV modules in series to the combiner box within a PV system, mainly for transmitting the DC power generated by the panels. Their usage environment demands characteristics such as UV resistance, ozone resistance, tolerance to extreme temperature variations (heat and cold), oil resistance, and chemical corrosion resistance. Hebei Yongshang Cable Group has introduced specialized production lines for photovoltaic cables. Many are curious about how PV cables are manufactured. Here is a brief introduction to the equipment and processes involved in solar PV cable production.
The production of PV cables primarily requires the following equipment: Wire Drawing Machine, Annealing Machine, High Speed Strander, High Speed Extrusion Line, Conductor Pre-heater, Irradiation Cross-linking Electron Accelerator, Cooling Water Trough, Heating Device / Drying Oven, On-line Diameter and Eccentricity Gauge, High Voltage Spark Tester, Partial Discharge Test System, Automatic Take-up Machine / Reeler, Intelligent Marking Machine, and AGV & Robotic Palletizing System.
Wire Drawing Machine
Stretches the copper rod to the desired diameter and controls conductor resistance.
Annealing Machine
Eliminates internal stress in copper wire through heating and cooling, improving its flexibility and conductivity.
High Speed Strander
Twists multiple thin copper wires into one strand, ensuring a uniform and flexible conductor structure.
High Speed Extrusion Line
Evenly extrudes cross-linked polyolefin material around the conductor to form insulation and sheath layers.
Conductor Pre-heater
Preheats the conductor before extrusion to enhance adhesion between the plastic and conductor and reduce internal stress.
Irradiation Cross-linking Electron Accelerator
Core equipment. Crosslinks the molecular structure of insulation materials by bombarding them with high-energy electron beams, thereby achieving excellent properties such as high-temperature resistance, weather resistance, and aging resistance.
Cooling Water Trough
Rapidly cools and shapes the extruded material while in a molten state.
Heating Device / Drying Oven
Dries the surface of the insulation layer before extruding the sheath or heats the cable for specific processes.
On-line Diameter and Eccentricity Gauge
Key inspection equipment. Monitors the thickness and eccentricity of the insulation/sheath layer in real-time to ensure uniformity (eccentricity can be controlled within 5%, exceeding national standards).
High Voltage Spark Tester
Applies high voltage to the cable and conducts 100% online inspection of the insulation layer for defects such as pinholes and damage.
Partial Discharge Test System
Performs high-standard electrical performance testing on finished cables to ensure insulation integrity.
Automatic Take-up Machine / Reeler
Neatly winds the finished cable onto the spool with constant tension and automatically measures the length.
Intelligent Marking Machine
Sprays permanent identification, such as model, specification, meter mark, and manufacturer's name, onto the cable's outer sheath.
AGV & Robotic Palletizing System
Enables automatic transportation and palletizing of finished product reels from the production line to the warehouse, improving logistics efficiency.
