[VAC] Cord for solar panel

[K C <silvertrailer@xxxxxxxxx>]

NEC states that 12 gauge is the minimum gauge for low
voltage equipment. According to NEC 690-31 the cord
must also be listed for hard sevice, outdoor use,
water resistant and sunlight resistant. Stranded wire
is not required by NEC but it is necessary for a
portable panel because that 25 ft. cord gets wound up
tight and stowed away a lot. NEC is a weak code for
low voltage DC and solar applications in my opinion.
Marine standards seem a lot more sensible. 12 ga.
shore power cord fits the bill.  Remember outputs from
solar panels are miserably low. There is absolutely no
need to oversize the panel output cord.  NEC Table 400
rates 12 ga. at 20 amps....... 4 times the max. output
of my collector.