The Lapp Group has launched a power cable for the voltage range up to 1,8/3 kV to be sold under the Ölflex Trafo brand name. Together with the company’s existing range, it means that the group can now offer an integrated solution for all the solar industry’s cabling needs. The cable was developed in partnership with SMA Solar Technology, a global market and technology leader in solar inverters, within the space of just eight weeks. It is specifically designed for connecting inverters to medium-voltage transformers, so that energy generated from the sun can be relayed directly to the high-voltage network.
Suitable for all conditions
SMA’s key design requirements were flexibility and durability. In addition to having the required current-carrying capacity, the cable had to be suitable for laying underground with no additional protection. To this end it was given a reinforced outer sheath made from an electron beam cross-linked material that is highly resistant to UV, ozone and environmental stresses.
The new medium-voltage cable is also suitable for use across an exceptionally wide temperature range from -40°C to 100°C, making it suitable for PV systems in areas with extreme climatic conditions. This includes off-grid facilities in infrastructure-poor regions, which make use of renewable energy in an increasing extent to meet their electricity needs.
The recent introduction of new international standards means that the cable can be used almost anywhere in the world, for applications not just in the field of power generation, but also in machine and plant engineering. Lapp is already working on a variant of the product with a special strand design that will enable it to be used as a torsion cable in wind power generating facilities.
This product was developed in response to the specific requirement for a cable suitable for inverters that have a higher than typical output voltage. “Lapp responded very quickly to our enquiry to develop the new cable to meet our needs, just as we expected after our many years of working together,” said an SMA representative.
Integrated solutions for renewable energy
In recent years, Lapp Group has developed a range of innovative products that have enabled it to position itself as an integrated solutions provider to the renewable energy industry. Its photovoltaic products include the slimline, ultra-low-resistance Epic Solar 4 thin solar connector, Ölflex solar cables, Skintop cable glands and Fleximark cable marking products. With the launch of Ölflex Trafo, the company can now cover all the solar industry’s cabling needs, from the PV module to the connection to the high-voltage grid.
| Tel: | +27 11 201 3200 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.lappgroup.co.za |
| Articles: | More information and articles about LAPP Southern Africa |
© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved
printer friendly version