Determining Installation Cable Thickness? Use This Smart Prompt!

Do you want to quickly and according to NEN1010 determine the correct cable thickness for a solar panel installation? With this handy prompt for ChatGPT, you will get a good estimate in no time. Fill in your details and save time — without compromising on quality or safety.

When designing a solar energy system, the correct cable thickness is essential. Not only for safety reasons but also to minimise voltage loss and comply with the Dutch standard NEN1010.

Normally, you would use complicated tables, calculation models, or software for this. But did you know that ChatGPT can already give you a surprisingly good indication — provided you supply the right information!

With the prompt below, you can quickly help yourself (or your colleagues) get started.

The Smart Prompt

Paste this text into ChatGPT (or use it in your own calculation tool) and fill in the coloured parts with your data:

Prompt:

Hey Chat, act as an electrician and technical specialist. I want to know how thick the cable should be in the situation below. Calculate the cable thickness based on Dutch legislation such as NEN1010. Take into account the requirements for solar panels, including a maximum voltage loss of 1%.

The cable covers a distance of [X] metres and runs via [for example: a closed cable duct, outside along the facade, through the ground, etc.]. The current per phase amounts to [X] amperes.

Why is this important?

• Safety: a cable that is too thin can overheat

• Efficiency: the less voltage loss, the higher your yield

• Legislation: according to NEN1010, a maximum voltage loss of 1% is the standard for solar panels

• Ease of installation: with a good estimate, you avoid recalculations on site

Tip from 4blue: always check your result

The result from ChatGPT is useful as a quick check, but in case of doubt, always have a certified electrical installer or engineer review it. Especially for larger installations or unusual situations.

Ready to calculate?

Use this prompt for your next project — or share it with your team. It will save you a lot of research and ensure you always start with a solid foundation.