TECHNICAL BRIEF: North America 60Hz: Calculating AC Line Voltage Rise For IQ-Series Micros With Q Cable
TECHNICAL BRIEF: North America 60Hz: Calculating AC Line Voltage Rise For IQ-Series Micros With Q Cable
Overview
This technical brief presents voltage rise guidelines for dedicated PV branch circuits and methods for
calculating the AC line voltage rise when using the Enphase IQ Microinverters™ and the Enphase Q
Cable™.
Applying proper voltage rise calculations in your system design helps prevent nuisance voltage out-of-range
trip issues due to high line voltage conditions. Less resistance in conductors also results in less power loss,
less heat at the terminals, and improves performance of the PV system.
When designing circuits for electrical loads, these calculations are commonly called voltage drop (VDrop).
Since PV systems with inverters generate electricity instead of consuming it, voltage rises at the AC
terminals of each inverter. Therefore, this brief refers to these calculations as voltage rise (VRise).
Recommendations
To minimize voltage rise, Enphase recommends that you apply these guidelines when planning your system:
• The total VRise in the AC wiring should stay below 2% in all wire sections from the point of common
coupling (PCC) to the last microinverter on each branch or sub-branch circuit (as described in
“Voltage Rise by Wire Section” on page 3). A good practice is to maintain less than 1% VRise in the
Q Cable.
• Center-feed the branch circuit to minimize voltage rise in a fully-populated branch. Since the VRise is
nonlinear, reducing the number of microinverters on a Q Cable from the junction box to the last
inverter by center feeding and creating sub-branch circuits greatly reduces the voltage measured at
the last microinverter in each sub-branch. To center-feed a branch, divide the circuit into two sub-
branch circuits protected by a single overcurrent protection device (OCPD). Find out more in
“Advantages of Center-Feeding the AC Branch Circuits” on page 6.
• Use the correct wire size in each wire section. Using undersized conductors can result in nuisance
tripping of the microinverter anti-islanding function when an AC voltage out-of-range condition
occurs. “What Contributes to Voltage Rise?” on page 2 provides more information.
• Use the calculation methods in “Calculating Total Voltage Rise” on page 7 to determine voltage rise
values for your project.
Background
The IEEE 1547 standard requires that grid-tied or utility-interactive inverters cease power production if
voltage measured at the inverter terminal exceeds +10% or -12% of nominal. Enphase Microinverters, like all
utility-interactive inverters, sense voltage and frequency from the AC grid and cease exporting power when
voltage or frequency from the grid is too high or too low.
If the voltage measured is outside of the limit, the Enphase Microinverter enters an AC Voltage Out-Of-
Range (ACVOOR) condition and ceases to export power until this condition clears. Besides voltage
variations from the AC grid, voltage changes within the system wiring can also contribute to VRise and could
cause microinverters to sense an over-voltage condition and cease operation.
The Enphase Microinverter reference point for voltage measurement is at the microinverter AC output. Since
the microinverter is located at the array, and the point of common coupling (PCC) is generally at the site load
center, the distance from the microinverter AC output to the PCC could be substantial.
All components within system wiring contribute to resistance and must be considered when calculating the
total VRise. The main factors that determine voltage rise in an Enphase Microinverter system are: 1)
distance from the microinverters to the PCC, and 2) conductor size. “What Contributes to Voltage Rise?” on
page 2 provides details.
Typically, you can quantify the voltage rise of three distinct wire sections and several wire terminations, as
described in “Voltage Rise by Wire Section” on page 3. There is also some resistance associated with each
OCPD, typically a circuit breaker, but this is generally not taken into account.
There is a tradeoff made between increased wire size and increased cost. You can often increase
wire size by one AWG trade size with minimal cost impact. At some point, increasing the wire size
necessitates increases in the conduit and/or terminal size, thus further increasing costs. However,
the increased wiring and conduit costs can be offset by the increase in energy production over the
lifetime of the system. These are important to invest in, especially for long wire runs.
• Circuit current: Circuit current varies depending on which “wire section” is being considered in the
installation. “Voltage Rise by Wire Section” on page 3 describes a typical installation containing three
wire sections where current is considered. With Q Cable, current increases with each inverter added
to the circuit.
• Circuit length: There is often little control over circuit length, but center-feeding the dedicated
branch circuit significantly reduces voltage rise within the branch, as described in “Advantages of
Center-Feeding the AC Branch Circuits” on page 6.
• Voltage margin: If service voltage is chronically high, the utility will sometimes perform a tap change
on the distribution transformer. This can provide a percent or two of additional voltage margin.
• Utility voltage: The utility should maintain voltage at the PCC within +/- 5% of nominal and in some
states within +/- 3% of nominal. The protective functions of the microinverters are set to +10% / -12%
by default. The high voltage end of the tolerance is of most concern because the inverters are a
source and not a load. If the utility is consistently 5% high, that leaves less than 5% for all wiring and
interconnection losses as well as inverter measurement accuracy. If you are concerned about the
utility voltage, you may request that your utility place a data logger at the PCC and make a record of
the voltages available to you at the site.
Section Description
1 Internal voltage rise within the Q Cables to rooftop junction box. See internal VRise values
for IQ Micros in Tables 1.1 through 1.15. Only the Q Cable with microinverter connectors is
addressed in this section.
2 Q Extension voltage rise from Q Cable to the Q Aggregator. The #12 AWG row in
“Conductor Lengths by Wire Section” on page 18 lists maximum distances that maintain a
1% voltage rise for this wire section.
3 Voltage rise from the Q Aggregator to the Main Panel. The tables in “Conductor Lengths by
Wire Section” on page 18 list maximum distances that maintain a 1% voltage rise for this
wire section.
Section Description
1 Internal voltage rise within the Q Cables to rooftop junction box. See internal VRise values
for IQ Micros in Tables 1.1 through 1.15. Only the Q Cable with microinverter connectors is
addressed in this section.
2 Voltage rise from the array-mounted AC junction box, along the AC branch circuits, to the
load center containing the dedicated microinverter OCPDs (circuit breakers). The tables in
“Conductor Lengths by Wire Section” on page 18 list maximum distances that maintain a 1%
voltage rise for this wire section.
Enphase AC Combiner or PV subpanel to the PCC. Voltage rise from the load center to the
3
PCC. The tables in “Conductor Lengths by Wire Section” on page 18 list maximum distances
that maintain a 1% voltage rise for this wire section.
Calculate each component individually and verify that the total voltage rise is less than 2%. “Calculating Total
Voltage Rise” lists formulas to determine voltage rise. Additional losses exist at the terminals, connectors,
and in circuit breakers; however, if you design for a 2% total voltage rise, these other factors may be ignored.
Voltage type and conductor count Model Connector spacing PV module orientation
240 VAC, 2 conductor Q-12-10-240 1.3 m (51”) Portrait
240 VAC, 2 conductor Q-12-17-240 2 m (79”) 60-cell Landscape
240 VAC, 2 conductor Q-12-20-200 2.3 m (91”) 72-cell Landscape
Regardless of the application, Enphase recommends that the total percentage of voltage rise in the AC
wiring be less than 2%, with (an inclusive) less than 1% voltage rise in the Q Cable. Although the Q Cable is
optimized for minimal VRise, it is still important to calculate total VRise for the entire system for the array
from the last microinverter on each branch of sub-branch to the PCC.
The top row of numbers is the incremental voltage rise from one microinverter to the next, and the bottom
row is the cumulative line-to-line voltage overall.
The following graph illustrates how the number of microinverters connected to a portrait-oriented Q Cable
causes a non-linear voltage rise when operating at 240 VAC.
A fully populated IQ 6+ branch circuit has 13 microinverters. If center-fed, there will be seven microinverters
on one sub-branch circuit and six on the other sub-branch circuit. All microinverters are parallel connected to
a single circuit, either at a junction box or Q Aggregator connector, and run back to the circuit breaker panel.
As an example, a fully populated branch circuit with 13 IQ 6+ microinverters and 72-cell landscape cabling
would measure 1.32% voltage rise to the last inverter if the circuit was end-fed. If this same circuit was
center-fed, the voltage rise within the Q Cable would be reduced to 0.52%. This analysis assumes that the
circuit was equally center-fed, however, since the AC connections in this case will be parallel connected,
equal sub-circuits are not a requirement, and center-feeding can be used in a way that is more convenient at
the site. When calculating the VRise of the total circuit, the larger of the sub-branches should be used when
determining internal Q Cable VRise.
Table 1.1: Internal Q Cable VRise (IQ 6 – 240V / Portrait Cable, Q-12-10-240)
IQ 6 Microinverters per branch (Portrait)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Current (A) 0.96 1.92 2.88 3.83 4.79 5.75 6.71 7.67 8.63 9.58 10.54 11.50 12.46 13.42 14.38 15.33
VRise (V) 0.02 0.05 0.10 0.16 0.24 0.34 0.45 0.58 0.73 0.89 1.07 1.26 1.47 1.70 1.94 2.20
VRise (%) 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.07 0.10 0.14 0.19 0.24 0.30 0.37 0.45 0.53 0.61 0.71 0.81 0.92
For a sub-branch circuit of eight IQ 6 Micros, the voltage rise on the 240 VAC Q Cable is 0.24%.
VRise = (amps/inverter × number of inverters) × (resistance in Ω/ft) × (2-way wire length in ft)
The following example is for a fully populated circuit of 16 IQ 6 Microinverters.
• IQ 6 full load AC current = 0.96 amp
• Wire gauge for Q Extension cable = #12 AWG THWN-2 CU
• #12 AWG THWN-2 CU resistance = 0. 00198 /ft (from NEC 2008, Chapter 9, Table 8)
• Length of individual branch circuit = 20 feet, with two-way wire length = 40 feet
VRise = (0.96 amp × 16) × (0. 00198 Ω/ft) × (20 ft × 2)
= 15.36 amps × 0.00198 Ω/ft × 40 ft
= 1.22 volts
%VRise = 1.22 volts ÷ 240 volts = 0.51%
The voltage rise from the array to the Q Aggregator is 0.51%.
Conclusion
Center-feeding is a great way to decrease home run conductor costs, improve production, and increase
system reliability. Follow the guidelines and calculations in this document to help minimize voltage rise
issues with your installation and increase system production. Use the tables in the following Appendix to
determine voltage rise and conductor size for your installations.
Q Cable Type
(P=Portrait,
Micro model L-L service voltage L-60= Landscape 60-cell
L-72=Landscape 72-cell)
IQ 6+ 240V L-72
IQ 6 – IQ6-60-*-US
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Current (A) 0.96 1.92 2.88 3.83 4.79 5.75 6.71 7.67 8.63 9.58 10.54 11.50 12.46 13.42 14.38 15.33
VRise (V) 0.02 0.05 0.10 0.16 0.24 0.34 0.45 0.58 0.79 0.89 1.07 1.26 1.47 1.70 1.94 2.20
VRise (%) 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.07 0.10 0.14 0.19 0.24 0.30 0.37 0.45 0.53 0.61 0.71 0.81 0.92
Table 1.2: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 60-Cell Cable, Q-12-17-240) IQ 6 240V L-60
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Current (A) 0.96 1.92 2.88 3.83 4.79 5.75 6.71 7.67 8.63 9.58 10.54 11.50 12.46 13.42 14.38 15.33
VRise (V) 0.02 0.07 0.15 0.25 0.37 0.52 0.70 0.90 1.12 1.37 1.64 1.94 2.27 2.61 2.99 3.37
VRise (%) 0.01 0.03 0.06 0.10 0.16 0.22 0.29 0.37 0.47 0.57 0.68 0.81 0.94 1.09 1.25 1.41
Table 1.3: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 72-Cell Cable*, Q-12-20-200) IQ 6 240V L-72
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Current (A) 0.96 1.92 2.88 3.83 4.79 5.75 6.71 7.67 8.63 9.58 10.54 11.50 12.46 13.42 14.38 15.33
VRise (V) 0.03 0.09 0.17 0.29 0.43 0.60 0.80 1.03 1.29 1.58 1.89 2.23 2.61 3.10 3.44 3.89
VRise (%) 0.01 0.04 0.07 0.12 0.18 0.25 0.33 0.43 0.54 0.66 0.79 0.93 1.09 1.25 1.43 1.62
*Note that IQ 6 Micros are compatible with 60-cell PV modules only but can be used with Q-12-20-200 cable.
IQ 6+ - IQ6PLUS-72-*-US
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Current (A) 1.17 2.33 3.50 4.67 5.83 7.00 8.17 9.33 10.50 11.67 12.83 14.00 15.17
VRise (V) 0.02 0.06 0.12 0.20 0.30 0.41 0.55 0.71 0.89 1.08 1.30 1.54 1.79
VRise (%) 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.08 0.12 0.17 0.23 0.30 0.37 0.45 0.54 0.64 0.75
Table 1.5: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 60-Cell Cable, Q-12-17-240) IQ 6+ 240V L-60
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Current (A) 1.17 2.33 3.50 4.67 5.83 7.00 8.17 9.33 10.50 11.67 12.83 14.00 15.17
VRise (V) 0.03 0.09 0.18 0.30 0.45 0.64 0.85 1.09 1.36 1.67 2.00 2.36 2.76
VRise (%) 0.01 0.04 0.08 0.13 0.19 0.27 0.35 0.45 0.57 0.69 0.83 0.99 1.15
Table 1.6: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 72-Cell Cable, Q-12-20-200) IQ 6+ 240V L-72
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Current (A) 1.17 2.33 3.50 4.67 5.83 7.00 8.17 9.33 10.50 11.67 12.83 14.00 15.17
VRise (V) 0.03 0.10 0.21 0.35 0.52 0.73 0.98 1.26 1.57 1.92 2.30 2.72 3.17
VRise (%) 0.01 0.04 0.09 0.15 0.22 0.31 0.41 0.52 0.65 0.80 0.96 1.13 1.32
IQ 7 - IQ7-60-*-US
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Current (A) 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0 13.0 14.0 15.0 16.0
VRise (V) 0.02 0.05 0.10 0.17 0.25 0.35 0.47 0.61 0.76 0.93 1.11 1.32 1.54 1.77 2.03 2.30
VRise (%) 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.07 0.11 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.32 0.39 0.46 0.55 0.64 0.74 0.84 0.96
Table 1.8: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 60-Cell Cable, Q-12-17-240) IQ 7 240V L-60
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Current (A) 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0 13.0 14.0 15.0 16.0
VRise (V) 0.03 0.08 0.16 0.26 0.39 0.55 0.73 0.94 1.17 1.43 1.71 2.03 2.36 2.73 3.12 3.53
VRise (%) 0.01 0.03 0.06 0.11 0.16 0.23 0.30 0.39 0.49 0.60 0.71 0.84 0.99 1.14 1.30 1.47
Table 1.9: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 72-Cell Cable*, Q-12-20-200) IQ 7 240V L-72
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Current (A) 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.0 12.0 13.0 14.0 15.0 16.0
VRise (V) 0.03 0.09 0.18 0.30 0.45 0.63 0.84 1.08 1.34 1.64 1.97 2.33 2.72 3.14 3.59 4.06
VRise (%) 0.01 0.04 0.07 0.12 0.19 0.26 0.35 0.45 0.56 0.68 0.82 0.97 1.13 1.31 1.49 1.69
*Note that IQ 7 Micros are compatible with 60-cell PV modules only but can be used with Q-12-20-200 cable.
IQ 7+ - IQ7PLUS-72-*-US
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Current (A) 1.2 2.4 3.6 4.8 6.0 7.3 8.5 9.7 10.9 12.1 13.3 14.5 15.7
VRise (V) 0.02 0.06 0.12 0.20 0.31 0.43 0.57 0.73 0.92 1.12 1.35 1.59 1.86
VRise (%) 0.01 0.03 0.05 0.09 0.13 0.18 0.24 0.31 0.38 0.47 0.56 0.66 0.77
Table 1.11: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 60-Cell Cable, Q-12-17-240) IQ 7+ 240V L-60
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Current (A) 1.2 2.4 3.6 4.8 6.0 7.3 8.5 9.7 10.9 12.1 13.3 14.5 15.7
VRise (V) 0.03 0.09 0.19 0.31 0.47 0.66 0.88 1.13 1.41 1.73 2.07 2.45 2.86
VRise (%) 0.01 0.04 0.08 0.13 0.20 0.27 0.37 0.47 0.59 0.72 0.86 1.02 1.19
Table 1.12: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 72-Cell Cable, Q-12-20-200) IQ 7+ 240V L-72
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Current (A) 1.2 2.4 3.6 4.8 6.0 7.3 8.5 9.7 10.9 12.1 13.3 14.5 15.7
VRise (V) 0.04 0.11 0.22 0.36 0.54 0.76 1.01 1.30 1.62 1.99 2.38 2.82 3.29
VRise (%) 0.02 0.05 0.09 0.15 0.23 0.32 0.42 0.54 0.68 0.83 0.99 1.17 1.37
IQ 7X - IQ7X-96-*-US
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Current (A) 1.3 2.6 3.9 5.3 6.6 7.9 9.2 10.5 11.8 13.1 14.4 15.8
VRise (V) 0.02 0.07 0.13 0.22 0.33 0.47 0.62 0.80 1.00 1.22 1.46 1.73
VRise (%) 0.01 0.03 0.06 0.09 0.14 0.19 0.26 0.33 0.42 0.51 0.61 0.72
Table 1.14: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 60-Cell Cable, Q-12-17-240) IQ 7X 240V L-60
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Current (A) 1.3 2.6 3.9 5.3 6.6 7.9 9.2 10.5 11.8 13.1 14.4 15.8
VRise (V) 0.03 0.10 0.20 0.34 0.51 0.72 0.95 1.23 1.53 1.88 2.25 2.66
VRise (%) 0.01 0.04 0.09 0.14 0.21 0.30 0.40 0.51 0.64 0.78 0.94 1.11
Table 1.15: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 72-Cell Cable, Q-12-20-200) IQ 7X 240V L-72
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Current (A) 1.3 2.6 3.9 5.3 6.6 7.9 9.2 10.5 11.8 13.1 14.4 15.8
VRise (V) 0.04 0.12 0.24 0.39 0.59 0.82 1.10 1.41 1.76 2.16 2.59 3.06
VRise (%) 0.02 0.05 0.10 0.16 0.25 0.34 0.46 0.59 0.74 0.90 1.08 1.27
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
10 0.02% 0.03% 0.05% 0.06% 0.08% 0.09% 0.11% 0.13% 0.14% 0.16% 0.17% 0.19% 0.21% 0.22% 0.24% 0.25%
15 0.02% 0.05% 0.07% 0.09% 0.12% 0.14% 0.17% 0.19% 0.21% 0.24% 0.26% 0.28% 0.31% 0.33% 0.36% 0.38%
20 0.03% 0.06% 0.09% 0.13% 0.16% 0.19% 0.22% 0.25% 0.28% 0.32% 0.35% 0.38% 0.41% 0.44% 0.47% 0.51%
25 0.04% 0.08% 0.12% 0.16% 0.20% 0.24% 0.28% 0.32% 0.36% 0.40% 0.43% 0.47% 0.51% 0.55% 0.59% 0.63%
30 0.05% 0.09% 0.14% 0.19% 0.24% 0.28% 0.33% 0.38% 0.43% 0.47% 0.52% 0.57% 0.62% 0.66% 0.71% 0.76%
40 0.06% 0.13% 0.19% 0.25% 0.32% 0.38% 0.44% 0.51% 0.57% 0.63% 0.70% 0.76% 0.82% 0.89% 0.95% 1.01%
50 0.08% 0.16% 0.24% 0.32% 0.40% 0.47% 0.55% 0.63% 0.71% 0.79% 0.87% 0.95% 1.03% 1.11% 1.19% 1.27%
60 0.09% 0.19% 0.28% 0.38% 0.47% 0.57% 0.66% 0.76% 0.85% 0.95% 1.04% 1.14% 1.23% 1.33% 1.42% 1.52%
70 0.11% 0.22% 0.33% 0.44% 0.55% 0.66% 0.77% 0.89% 1.00% 1.11% 1.22% 1.33% 1.44% 1.55% 1.66% 1.77%
80 0.13% 0.25% 0.38% 0.51% 0.63% 0.76% 0.89% 1.01% 1.14% 1.27% 1.39% 1.52% 1.64% 1.77% 1.90% 2.02%
90 0.14% 0.28% 0.43% 0.57% 0.71% 0.85% 1.00% 1.14% 1.28% 1.42% 1.57% 1.71% 1.85% 1.99% 2.13% 2.28%
100 0.16% 0.32% 0.47% 0.63% 0.79% 0.95% 1.11% 1.27% 1.42% 1.58% 1.74% 1.90% 2.06% 2.21% 2.37% 2.53%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
10 0.02% 0.04% 0.06% 0.08% 0.10% 0.12% 0.13% 0.15% 0.17% 0.19% 0.21% 0.23% 0.25%
15 0.03% 0.06% 0.09% 0.12% 0.14% 0.17% 0.20% 0.23% 0.26% 0.29% 0.32% 0.35% 0.38%
20 0.04% 0.08% 0.12% 0.15% 0.19% 0.23% 0.27% 0.31% 0.35% 0.39% 0.24% 0.46% 0.50%
25 0.05% 0.10% 0.14% 0.19% 0.24% 0.29% 0.34% 0.39% 0.43% 0.48% 0.53% 0.58% 0.63%
30 0.06% 0.12% 0.17% 0.23% 0.29% 0.35% 0.40% 0.46% 0.52% 0.58% 0.64% 0.69% 0.75%
40 0.08% 0.15% 0.23% 0.31% 0.39% 0.46% 0.54% 0.62% 0.69% 0.77% 0.85% 0.92% 1.00%
50 0.10% 0.19% 0.29% 0.39% 0.48% 0.58% 0.67% 0.77% 0.87% 0.96% 1.06% 1.16% 1.25%
60 0.12% 0.23% 0.35% 0.46% 0.58% 0.69% 0.81% 0.92% 1.04% 1.16% 1.27% 1.39% 1.50%
70 0.13% 0.27% 0.40% 0.54% 0.67% 0.81% 0.94% 1.08% 1.21% 1.35% 1.48% 1.62% 1.75%
80 0.15% 0.31% 0.46% 0.62% 0.77% 0.92% 1.08% 1.23% 1.39% 1.54% 1.69% 1.85% 2.00%
90 0.17% 0.35% 0.52% 0.69% 0.87% 1.04% 1.21% 1.39% 1.56% 1.73% 1.91% 2.08% 2.25%
100 0.19% 0.39% 0.58% 0.77% 0.96% 1.16% 1.35% 1.54% 1.73% 1.93% 2.12% 2.31% 2.50%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
10 0.02% 0.03% 0.05% 0.07% 0.08% 0.10% 0.12% 0.13% 0.15% 0.17% 0.18% 0.20% 0.21% 0.23% 0.25% 0.26%
15 0.02% 0.05% 0.07% 0.10% 0.12% 0.15% 0.17% 0.20% 0.22% 0.25% 0.27% 0.30% 0.32% 0.35% 0.37% 0.40%
20 0.03% 0.07% 0.10% 0.13% 0.17% 0.20% 0.23% 0.26% 0.30% 0.33% 0.36% 0.40% 0.43% 0.46% 0.50% 0.53%
25 0.04% 0.08% 0.12% 0.17% 0.21% 0.25% 0.29% 0.33% 0.37% 0.41% 0.45% 0.50% 0.54% 0.58% 0.62% 0.66%
30 0.05% 0.10% 0.15% 0.20% 0.25% 0.30% 0.35% 0.40% 0.45% 0.50% 0.54% 0.59% 0.64% 0.69% 0.74% 0.79%
40 0.07% 0.13% 0.20% 0.26% 0.33% 0.40% 0.46% 0.53% 0.59% 0.66% 0.73% 0.79% 0.86% 0.92% 0.99% 1.06%
50 0.08% 0.17% 0.25% 0.33% 0.41% 0.50% 0.58% 0.66% 0.74% 0.83% 0.91% 0.99% 1.07% 1.16% 1.24% 1.32%
60 0.10% 0.20% 0.30% 0.40% 0.50% 0.59% 0.69% 0.79% 0.89% 0.99% 1.09% 1.19% 1.29% 1.39% 1.49% 1.58%
70 0.12% 0.23% 0.35% 0.46% 0.58% 0.69% 0.81% 0.92% 1.04% 1.16% 1.27% 1.39% 1.50% 1.62% 1.73% 1.85%
80 0.13% 0.26% 0.40% 0.53% 0.66% 0.79% 0.92% 1.06% 1.19% 1.32% 1.45% 1.58% 1.72% 1.85% 1.98% 2.11%
90 0.15% 0.30% 0.45% 0.59% 0.74% 0.89% 1.04% 1.19% 1.34% 1.49% 1.63% 1.78% 1.93% 2.08% 2.23% 2.38%
100 0.17% 0.33% 0.50% 0.66% 0.83% 0.99% 1.16% 1.32% 1.49% 1.65% 1.82% 1.98% 2.15% 2.31% 2.48% 2.64%
10 0.02% 0.04% 0.06% 0.08% 0.10% 0.12% 0.14% 0.16% 0.18% 0.20% 0.22% 0.24% 0.26%
15 0.03% 0.06% 0.09% 0.12% 0.15% 0.18% 0.21% 0.24% 0.27% 0.30% 0.33% 0.36% 0.39%
20 0.04% 0.08% 0.12% 0.16% 0.20% 0.24% 0.28% 0.32% 0.36% 0.40% 0.44% 0.48% 0.52%
25 0.05% 0.10% 0.15% 0.20% 0.25% 0.30% 0.35% 0.40% 0.45% 0.50% 0.55% 0.60% 0.65%
30 0.06% 0.12% 0.18% 0.24% 0.30% 0.36% 0.42% 0.48% 0.54% 0.60% 0.66% 0.72% 0.78%
40 0.08% 0.16% 0.24% 0.32% 0.40% 0.48% 0.56% 0.64% 0.72% 0.80% 0.88% 0.96% 1.04%
50 0.10% 0.20% 0.30% 0.40% 0.50% 0.60% 0.70% 0.80% 0.90% 1.00% 1.10% 1.20% 1.30%
60 0.12% 0.24% 0.36% 0.48% 0.60% 0.72% 0.84% 0.96% 1.08% 1.20% 1.32% 1.44% 1.56%
70 0.14% 0.28% 0.42% 0.56% 0.70% 0.84% 0.98% 1.12% 1.26% 1.40% 1.54% 1.67% 1.81%
80 0.16% 0.32% 0.48% 0.64% 0.80% 0.96% 1.12% 1.28% 1.44% 1.60% 1.75% 1.91% 2.07%
90 0.18% 0.36% 0.54% 0.72% 0.90% 1.08% 1.26% 1.44% 1.61% 1.79% 1.97% 2.15% 2.33%
100 0.20% 0.40% 0.60% 0.80% 1.00% 1.20% 1.40% 1.60% 1.79% 1.99% 2.19% 2.39% 2.59%
10 0.02% 0.04% 0.06% 0.09% 0.11% 0.13% 0.15% 0.17% 0.19% 0.22% 0.24% 0.26%
15 0.03% 0.06% 0.10% 0.13% 0.16% 0.19% 0.23% 0.26% 0.29% 0.32% 0.36% 0.39%
20 0.04% 0.09% 0.13% 0.17% 0.22% 0.26% 0.30% 0.35% 0.39% 0.43% 0.48% 0.52%
25 0.05% 0.11% 0.16% 0.22% 0.27% 0.32% 0.38% 0.43% 0.49% 0.54% 0.60% 0.65%
30 0.06% 0.13% 0.19% 0.26% 0.32% 0.39% 0.45% 0.52% 0.58% 0.65% 0.71% 0.78%
40 0.09% 0.17% 0.26% 0.35% 0.43% 0.52% 0.61% 0.69% 0.78% 0.87% 0.95% 1.04%
50 0.11% 0.22% 0.32% 0.43% 0.54% 0.65% 0.76% 0.87% 0.97% 1.08% 1.19% 1.30%
60 0.13% 0.26% 0.39% 0.52% 0.65% 0.78% 0.91% 1.04% 1.17% 1.30% 1.43% 1.56%
70 0.15% 0.30% 0.45% 0.61% 0.76% 0.91% 1.06% 1.21% 1.36% 1.52% 1.67% 1.82%
80 0.17% 0.35% 0.52% 0.69% 0.87% 1.04% 1.21% 1.39% 1.56% 1.73% 1.91% 2.08%
90 0.19% 0.39% 0.58% 0.78% 0.97% 1.17% 1.36% 1.56% 1.75% 1.95% 2.14% 2.34%
100 0.22% 0.43% 0.65% 0.87% 1.08% 1.30% 1.52% 1.73% 1.95% 2.17% 2.38% 2.60%
Table 3.1: Maximum Distance (in feet) to Maintain 1% VRise for 240 VAC (IQ 6)
AWG Number of IQ 6 Micros
3 6 9 12 15 16 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48
#12 211 105 70 53 42 40 35 30 26 23 21 19 18 16 15 14 13
#10 337 168 112 84 67 63 56 48 42 37 34 31 28 26 24 22 21
#8 536 268 179 134 107 101 89 77 67 60 54 49 45 41 38 36 34
#6 850 425 283 213 170 159 142 121 106 94 85 77 71 65 61 57 53
#4 1355 678 452 339 271 254 226 194 169 151 136 123 113 104 97 90 85
Single Branch Circuit Q Aggregator Combined Quantity of IQ 6
Table 3.2: Maximum Distance (in feet) to Maintain 1% VRise for 240 VAC (IQ 6+)
AWG Number of IQ 6+ Micros
3 6 9 12 13 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39
#12 173 87 58 43 40 35 29 25 22 19 17 16 14 13
#10 276 138 92 69 64 55 46 39 35 31 28 25 23 21
#8 441 220 147 110 102 88 73 63 55 49 44 40 37 34
#6 698 349 233 175 161 140 116 100 87 78 70 63 58 54
#4 1113 557 371 278 257 223 186 159 139 124 111 101 93 86
Single Branch Circuit Q Aggregator Combined Quantity of IQ 6+
Table 3.3: Maximum Distance (in feet) to Maintain 1% VRise for 240 VAC (IQ 7)
AWG Number of IQ 7 Micros
3 6 9 12 15 16 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48
#12 202 101 67 51 40 38 34 29 25 22 20 18 17 16 14 13 13
#10 323 161 108 81 65 60 54 46 40 36 32 29 27 25 23 22 20
#8 514 257 171 129 103 96 86 73 64 57 51 47 43 40 37 34 32
#6 815 407 272 204 163 153 136 116 102 91 81 74 68 63 58 54 51
#4 1299 649 433 325 260 244 216 186 162 144 130 118 108 100 93 87 81
Single Branch Circuit Q Aggregator combined quantity of IQ 7
Table 3.4: Maximum Distance (in feet) to Maintain 1% VRise for 240 VAC (IQ 7+)
AWG Number of IQ 7+ Micros
3 6 9 12 13 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39
#12 167 84 56 42 39 33 28 24 21 19 17 15 14 13
#10 267 133 89 67 62 53 44 38 33 30 27 24 22 21
#8 425 213 142 106 98 85 71 61 53 47 43 39 35 33
#6 674 337 225 169 156 135 112 96 84 75 67 61 56 52
#4 1075 537 358 269 248 215 179 154 134 119 107 98 90 83
Single Branch Circuit Q Aggregator combined quantity of IQ 7+
Table 3.5: Maximum Distance (in feet) to Maintain 1% VRise for 240 VAC (IQ 7X)
AWG Number of IQ 7X Micros
3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36
#12 154 77 51 38 31 26 22 19 17 15 14 13
#10 246 123 82 61 49 41 35 31 27 25 22 20
#8 392 196 131 98 78 65 56 49 44 39 36 33
#6 621 310 207 155 124 103 89 78 69 62 56 52
#4 989 495 330 247 198 165 141 124 110 99 90 82
Single Branch Circuit Q Aggregator combined quantity of IQ 7X
Q Cable Type
(P=Portrait,
Micro model L-L service voltage L-60= Landscape 60-cell
L-72=Landscape 72-cell)
IQ 7 208V L-60
IQ 6 – IQ6-60-*-US
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Current (A) 1.11 2.21 3.32 4.42 5.53 6.63 7.74 8.85 9.95 11.06 12.16 13.27 14.38 15.48
VRise (V) 0.02 0.06 0.11 0.19 0.28 0.39 0.52 0.67 0.84 1.03 1.23 1.46 1.70 1.96
VRise (%) 0.01 0.03 0.05 0.09 0.13 0.19 0.25 0.32 0.40 0.49 0.59 0.70 0.82 0.94
Table 4.2: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 60-Cell Cable, Q-12-17-240) IQ 6 208V L-60
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Current (A) 1.11 2.21 3.32 4.42 5.53 6.63 7.74 8.85 9.95 11.06 12.16 13.27 14.38 15.48
VRise (V) 0.03 0.09 0.17 0.29 0.43 0.60 0.81 1.04 1.29 1.58 1.90 2.24 2.62 3.02
VRise (%) 0.01 0.04 0.08 0.14 0.21 0.29 0.39 0.50 0.62 0.76 0.91 1.08 1.26 1.45
Table 4.3: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 72-Cell Cable*, Q-12-20-200) IQ 6 208V L-72
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Current (A) 1.11 2.21 3.32 4.42 5.53 6.63 7.74 8.85 9.95 11.06 12.16 13.27 14.38 15.48
VRise (V) 0.03 0.10 0.20 0.33 0.50 0.69 0.93 1.19 1.49 1.82 2.18 2.58 3.01 3.47
VRise (%) 0.02 0.05 0.10 0.16 0.24 0.33 0.45 0.57 0.72 0.87 1.05 1.24 1.45 1.67
*Note that IQ 6 Micros are compatible with 60-cell PV modules only but can be used with Q-12-20-200 cable.
IQ 6+ - IQ6PLUS-72-*-US
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Current (A) 1.35 2.69 4.04 5.38 6.73 8.08 9.42 10.77 12.12 13.46 14.81
VRise (V) 0.02 0.07 0.14 0.23 0.34 0.48 0.64 0.82 1.02 1.25 1.50
VRise (%) 0.01 0.03 0.07 0.11 0.16 0.23 0.31 0.39 0.49 0.60 0.72
Table 4.5: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 60-Cell Cable, Q-12-17-240) IQ 6+ 208V L-60
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Current (A) 1.35 2.69 4.04 5.38 6.73 8.08 9.42 10.77 12.12 13.46 14.81
VRise (V) 0.04 0.11 0.21 0.35 0.53 0.74 0.98 1.26 1.58 1.93 2.31
VRise (%) 0.02 0.05 0.10 0.17 0.25 0.35 0.47 0.61 0.76 0.93 1.11
Table 4.6: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 72-Cell Cable, Q-12-20-200) IQ 6+ 208V L-72
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Current (A) 1.35 2.69 4.04 5.38 6.73 8.08 9.42 10.77 12.12 13.46 14.81
VRise (V) 0.04 0.12 0.24 0.40 0.60 0.85 1.13 1.45 1.81 2.21 2.66
VRise (%) 0.02 0.06 0.12 0.19 0.29 0.41 0.54 0.70 0.87 1.06 1.28
IQ 7 - IQ7-60-*-US
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Current (A) 1.15 2.31 3.46 4.62 5.77 6.92 8.08 9.23 10.38 11.54 12.69 13.85 15.00
VRise (V) 0.02 0.06 0.12 0.20 0.29 0.41 0.55 0.70 0.88 1.07 1.29 1.52 1.77
VRise (%) 0.01 0.03 0.06 0.09 0.14 0.20 0.26 0.34 0.42 0.52 0.62 0.73 0.85
Table 4.8: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 60-Cell Cable, Q-12-17-240) IQ 7 208V L-60
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Current (A) 1.15 2.31 3.46 4.62 5.77 6.92 8.08 9.23 10.38 11.54 12.69 13.85 15.00
VRise (V) 0.03 0.09 0.18 0.30 0.45 0.63 0.84 1.08 1.35 1.65 1.98 2.34 2.73
VRise (%) 0.01 0.04 0.09 0.14 0.22 0.30 0.40 0.52 0.65 0.79 0.95 1.13 1.31
Table 4.9: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 72-Cell Cable*, Q-12-20-200) IQ 7 208V L-72
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Current (A) 1.15 2.31 3.46 4.62 5.77 6.92 8.08 9.23 10.38 11.54 12.69 13.85 15.00
VRise (V) 0.03 0.10 0.21 0.35 0.52 0.72 0.97 1.24 1.55 1.90 2.28 2.69 3.14
VRise (%) 0.02 0.05 0.10 0.17 0.25 0.35 0.46 0.60 0.75 0.91 1.09 1.29 1.51
*Note that IQ 7 Micros are compatible with 60-cell PV modules only but can be used with Q-
12-20-200 cable.
IQ 7+ - IQ7PLUS-72-*-US
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Current (A) 1.39 2.79 4.18 5.58 6.97 8.37 9.76 11.15 12.55 13.94 15.34
VRise (V) 0.02 0.07 0.14 0.24 0.35 0.49 0.66 0.85 1.06 1.30 1.56
VRise (%) 0.01 0.03 0.07 0.11 0.17 0.24 0.32 0.41 0.51 0.62 0.75
Table 4.11: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 60-Cell Cable, Q-12-17-240) IQ 7+ 208V L-60
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Current (A) 1.39 2.79 4.18 5.58 6.97 8.37 9.76 11.15 12.55 13.94 15.34
VRise (V) 0.04 0.11 0.22 0.36 0.54 0.76 1.02 1.31 1.63 1.99 2.39
VRise (%) 0.02 0.05 0.10 0.17 0.26 0.37 0.49 0.63 0.78 0.96 1.15
Table 4.12: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 72-Cell Cable, Q-12-20-200) IQ 7+ 208V L-72
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Current (A) 1.39 2.79 4.18 5.58 6.97 8.37 9.76 11.15 12.55 13.94 15.34
VRise (V) 0.04 0.13 0.25 0.42 0.63 0.88 1.17 1.50 1.88 2.29 2.75
VRise (%) 0.02 0.06 0.12 0.20 0.30 0.42 0.56 0.72 0.90 1.10 1.32
IQ 7X - IQ7X-96-*-US
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Current (A) 1.51 3.03 4.54 6.06 7.57 9.09 10.60 12.12 13.63 15.14
VRise (V) 0.03 0.08 0.15 0.26 0.38 0.54 0.72 0.92 1.15 1.41
VRise (%) 0.01 0.04 0.07 0.12 0.18 0.26 0.34 0.44 0.55 0.68
Table 4.14: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 60-Cell Cable, Q-12-17-240) IQ 7X 208V L-60
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Current (A) 1.51 3.03 4.54 6.06 7.57 9.09 10.60 12.12 13.63 15.14
VRise (V) 0.04 0.12 0.24 0.39 0.59 0.83 1.10 1.42 1.77 2.17
VRise (%) 0.02 0.06 0.11 0.19 0.28 0.40 0.53 0.68 0.85 1.04
Table 4.15: Internal Q Cable VRise (Landscape 72-Cell Cable, Q-12-20-200) IQ 7X 208V L-72
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Current (A) 1.51 3.03 4.54 6.06 7.57 9.09 10.60 12.12 13.63 15.14
VRise (V) 0.05 0.14 0.27 0.45 0.68 0.95 1.27 1.63 2.04 2.49
VRise (%) 0.02 0.07 0.13 0.22 0.33 0.46 0.61 0.78 0.98 1.20