The basis for the design of the AC protective devices is the rated current $I_\text{B}$. This is the current that can be permanently carried by the conductor. Preferred values for the rated current $I_\text{N}$ are assumed to be 6, 10, 13, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100, 125 A. The calculation of the rated current is based on a reference current $I_\text{R}$ and a rated protection factor $f_\text{B}$.
Generally applies:
$$ I_\text{N} = I_\text{R} \cdot f_\text{B} $$
| Cable type | Reference current $I_\text{R}$ |
|---|---|
| AC-Leitung (Alle Wechselrichter) | Summe aller maximaler Wechselrichterausgangsströme |
| AC-Leitung (Wechselrichter) Nach Wechselrichter Im Wechselrichter |
Maximaler Wechselrichterausgangsstrom - |
| DC-Hauptleitung | STC Strom am MPP-Kabel bzw. in der DC-Hauptleitung |
| Strangleitung | STC Strom im Strang |
Maximum inverter output current = (Maximum apparent power * Displacement factor) / (Mains voltage * Number of inverter phases)
As standard, type B earth leakage circuit breakers are designed with a rated residual current of 100 mA in PV*SOL®. The rated protection factor $f_\text{B}$ is set to 1.1.
For the miniature circuit breaker, PV*SOL® initially assumes a type B with a rated protection factor $f_\text{B}$ of 1.3. If a transformer is present in the inverter used, the rated protection factor changes to 1.1 and the type to C.
The cable power loss $P_\text{ver}$ results from the lead resistance $R_\text{L}$ and the current flowing through the conductor $I_\text{L}$
$$ P_\text{ver} = R_\text{L} \cdot I_\text{L}^2 $$
The line resistance $R_\text{L}$ depends on the line cross section $A$, the line length $l$ and the material-dependent specific electrical resistance $1/\kappa$.
$$ R_\text{L} = \frac{l}{A} \cdot \frac{1}{\kappa} $$
Table 1: Overview of the specific electrical resistances of different materials
| Material | specific electrical resistance $1/\kappa$ in $\Omega \cdot \text{mm}^2 \cdot \text{m}^{-1}$ |
|---|---|
| Aluminium | $2,94 \cdot 10^{−2}$ |
| Copper | $1,75 \cdot 10^{−2}$ |
Relative losses $K$ result from power dissipation $P_\text{ver}$ and reference power $P_\text{ref}$.
$$ K = \frac{P_\text{ver}}{P_\text{ref}} $$
The relative loss can be used to calculate the dependent line cross section $A$. It is:
$$ A = \frac{l \cdot I_\text{L}^2}{\kappa \cdot P_\text{ref} \cdot K } $$
See also