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Cabling

Updated

Related to

Introduction

PVcase Roof Mount efficiently helps with cabling by providing options to:
 

  • Configure cabling options
    • Allow cabling to cross safety paths
    • Avoid induction loops
    • Routing polarity
  • Create cabling
  • Print SLD
  • Remove cabling

After placing the inverters and completing the module stringing, the next step is to start the cabling. Start by opening the Cabling menu. 
 

RM_Electrical-design_Cabling_00.png

 

Cabling options

The Cabling tab in PVcase Roof Mount provides a range of setup options for configuring key parameters related to cable generation.

Cable tray route assignment

The Cable tray route assignment defines the pathways PV module cables follow within cable trays to establish connections with inverters.

You have the following two options to choose from:

  • Automatic – Select the inverters you wish to connect, and PVcase automatically assigns the cable tray routes for each string.
  • Manual – Choose the specific strings and manually define their path by selecting the cable trays they should follow. This option gives you full control over cabling routes. 
RM_Electrical-design_Cabling_Cable-tray-route_01.png

Allow cabling to cross safety paths

The Allow cable to cross safety path feature in PVcase Roof Mount gives you the flexibility to model realistic and code-compliant layouts. 
By toggling this option on or off, you can decide whether cabling may cross designated safety walkways — balancing code requirements, fire safety, and site-specific constraints. This capability is particularly valuable on complex rooftops, where strict avoidance of safety paths may be impractical; it enables optimized cable routing while ensuring crossings are modeled transparently for permitting and construction.

RM_Electrical-design_Cabling_Cross-safety-paths.png

Avoid induction loops

The Avoid induction loops feature in PVcase Roof Mount helps prevent the creation of closed cable loops in your PV system layout, which can generate unwanted electromagnetic fields and reduce system efficiency or safety. 
By switching this feature on, you ensure that DC cables run closely together and avoid configurations that could create induction loops, minimizing the risk of electromagnetic interference and heat buildup. This setting is especially important for maintaining system performance and meeting best-practice electrical safety standards.


RM_Electrical-design_Cabling_Induction-loops_Logic.gif

Connection logic 

If you enable the Avoid induction loops option, you will be able to define how the string will be connected to the inverter. From the Connection logic dropdown, you can choose one of the following options:

  • Any polarity
  • Shortest as –
  • Shortest as +
  • Always –
  • Always +   
RM_Electrical-design_Cabling_Induction-loops_Logic.gif

Routing polarity

Routing polarity allows you to define your overall cable routing strategy, before you start cabling. 
PVcase Roof Mount offers two options for this:

  • Stick to tray – Select this option if you need your cables to strictly follow the cable trays you’ve defined in your layout. This ensures the cables stay neatly organized and within the planned paths, even if the cable runs are a bit longer.
  • Shortest paths – Select this option if you want the software to find the most direct route for each cable, which usually means the shortest total cable length. This is efficient, but may not always follow your intended cable trays.
     
RM_Electrical-design_Cabling_Routing polarity.png

 

Create cabling

After all cabling options are configured, it’s time to create the cabling. 

Click Create cabling and the cables will be created automatically. 

RM_Electrical-design_Cabling_Create.gif
 

 

 

After cable generation has been completed, you will be able to see the total DC cable length. 
 

RM_Electrical-design_Cabling_Total-length.png

Each cable tray size will be adjusted based on cable quantities, and you will see the following three parameters:

  • Unique cable tray number (60)
  • Cable tray width (0.3m)
  • Cable quantity in cable tray [(80)] 

RM_Electrical-design_Cabling_Cable-tray-adjustment.png
 

Cable sizing and SLD

Cable sizing allows you to set up key parameters for cable size estimation and voltage drop calculation:

  • Module
  • Material
  • Maximum voltage drop allowed
  • Minimum cable size

RM_Electrical-design_Cabling_Cable-sizing.png

You can also generate a single-line diagram or SLD:

  1. Click the SLD button

RM_Electrical-design_Cabling_Total-length_00.png

 

  1. Click on your layout to define where you want the diagram to be inserted (Enter diagram insertion point)

RM_Electrical-design_Cabling_SLD_01.png

 

  1. Click Enter to insert the diagram
RM_Electrical-design_Cabling_SLD_03.gif



The SLD will show:

  • String name
  • String size (Modules:18)
  • Cable length from (+/-) poles to inverter
  • Recommended cable cross-section (size)

RM_Electrical-design_Cabling_SLD-shows_01.png

 

Remove cabling

To remove cabling:

  1. Click on the Remove cabling button
RM_Electrical-design_Cabling_Remove.png
  1. Select the devices for which you want to remove the cabling
  2. Press Space or Enter to finalize the action


RM_Electrical-design_Cabling_Remove_02.gif
 

To learn how to export the electrical information to the Bill of Materials, check the Layout information & BOM article.

 

 


 

 

 

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