Renewables are an important part of the move towards a greener future. Solar and EV Charging are two of the most popular renewable products available today. Solar energy is a clean, renewable energy source that can be used to power homes and businesses. Solar panels can be installed on roofs or in yards to capture the sun's energy and convert it into electricity. EV Charging is an efficient way to charge electric vehicles. It uses renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal to power the charging station. EV Charging is becoming increasingly popular, as it helps reduce carbon emissions and is more cost-effective than traditional fuel sources. Renewable products are the way of the future!
Our Renewables category covers all the key components installers need for solar PV and EV charging setups. It includes solar cable accessories (connectors, fixings, sealing components), photovoltaic cable (single- and multi-core, UV-resistant cable), installation tools (crimpers, cutters, strippers, tester kits), and EV charging leads. The products are designed to meet solar/EV installation standards (e.g. IP ratings, halogen-free insulation) and support common installer tasks.
Solar Cable and Connector Accessories
Cablecraft supplies weather-sealed MC4 connectors and related accessories for PV panel wiring. For example, heavy-duty MC4 male/female connectors (4–6 mm² range) and 1-to-2 branch connectors let you parallel-join panel strings. All connectors use rugged polyamide bodies and seals (IP67 when mated) to protect against weather. To install them, use specialised MC4 crimping tools (sized 2.5–6.0 mm²), or ratchet crimpers like the RTMC4. Cablecraft also offers nylon cable glands and locknuts to seal where panels pass through enclosures. In addition, there are cable mounting clips and UV-stable fixings for securing solar cable runs.
Photovoltaic Solar Cables
Photovoltaic cables are low-smoke halogen-free (LSHF) single-core cables (4.0 mm² and 6.0 mm², available in black or red) designed to connect panels, inverters, and isolators. They are suitable for indoor and outdoor use with an operational temperature range of –15 °C to +90 °C.
We also stock Doncaster PV-Ultra multicore cables. These are tinned copper, flexible multi-core cables built specifically for DC panel interconnections. They come in 2-core (e.g. 2×4 mm² or 2×6 mm²) and 4-core (e.g. 4×4 mm², 4×6 mm²) versions, with black outer sheath and coloured inner cores. PV-Ultra cables are designed for harsh environments and have an approximate 25-year lifespan.
In summary: use single-core LSHF cable for straightforward panel-to-inverter runs, and PV-Ultra flexible multi-core cable for more complex DC wiring (e.g. embedded in trays or for longer external runs).
Solar Installation Tools
Safe PV installations require the right tools. We offer solar crimping and cutting tools and complete kits. Examples include:
- MC4 Crimping Tools (CRT-SOLAR MC4, RTMC4) for 2.5–6.0 mm² solar cable connectors. These ensure correct crimp pressure on solar connector pins.
- Cable Cutters (up to 38 mm²) for cleanly cutting panel and EV cables.
- Cable Strippers (0.5–6.0 mm²) for accurately stripping insulation.
- Solar Installer Kits: Hard or soft case kits containing common PV tools (crimpers, cutters, testers, etc.). These tools streamline PV work and meet professional installer requirements.
EV Charging Accessories
For electric vehicle (EV) charging, we stock Harting 32A Mode 3 Type 2 charging leads. These are three-phase 32 A, 250 V AC leads (IEC Type 2) available in 5 m and 7.5 m lengths. Key specs:
- Connectors: IEC 62196 Type 2 (handles 32 A, 250 V) on both ends (typically ph1 = 1 phase, ph3 versions also available).
- Cable: 5 contacts (3 for power, 2 for signals).
- Protection: IP44 weather protection when mated.
- Temperature range: –30 °C to +50 °C. These leads are used between EV charging points and vehicles; they meet international EV charging standards.
