Homeruns

Homeruns are the cables that connect string endpoints to inverters or combiner boxes. Branch generates schematic homerun routing automatically.

What are Homeruns?

A homerun is the cable that runs from a string's endpoint to the inverter (or combiner box). In a typical solar installation, each string has two homerun cables—one from the positive end and one from the negative end.

Branch draws homeruns as schematic polylines that represent the cable path. These are used for documentation and cable length calculations, not necessarily as the exact physical routing path.

When to Create Homeruns

Create homeruns after you've completed these steps:

  1. Panel groups created and balanced
  2. Strings solved with SOLVE
  3. Inverters placed with ADDINVERTER

Strings must be assigned to inverters

Homeruns can only be created for strings that have been assigned to an inverter. When you place an inverter with ADDINVERTER, you select which strings connect to it.

How Homeruns are Generated

When you run HOMERUNS:

  1. 1
    Groups strings by inverter

    Branch identifies all strings assigned to each inverter.

  2. 2
    Calculates routing paths

    For each string endpoint, Branch calculates a path to the inverter location.

  3. 3
    Creates homerun polylines

    Polylines are drawn on the homerun layer with embedded cable metadata.

Adjusting Homeruns

After generating homeruns, you can fine-tune the routing to match your actual site conditions.

Command: HOMERUNADJUST

Four editing operations:

  • Move Segment — Slide a trunk segment perpendicular to its direction
  • Angle Vertex — Drag a vertex freely to create angled routing
  • Insert Vertex — Add a waypoint along a segment for more control
  • Delete Vertex — Remove a waypoint to simplify routing

Changes apply to all overlapping homerun polylines on the same segment, so bundled cables stay together.

Cable lengths update automatically

Adjusted homeruns are reflected in CABLEEXPORT — you don't need to regenerate anything.

Combiner Box Support

For ground mount systems that use combiner boxes before the inverter, Branch supports a two-stage cable routing:

Enable Combiner Boxes

In BRANCHOPTIONS, enable the "Use Combiner Boxes" option and specify how many string connections each combiner accepts.

Place Combiner Boxes

When combiner boxes are enabled, ADDINVERTER places a combiner box instead. You manually select which strings connect to each combiner.

Two-Stage Routing

Strings route to combiner boxes, then combiner boxes route to the main inverter. This matches the physical wiring of large ground mount systems.

Configuration Options

These settings in BRANCHOPTIONS affect homerun generation:

SettingDescription
Homerun LayerAutoCAD layer for homerun polylines
Use Combiner BoxesEnable combiner box mode for ground mount systems
Connections per CombinerHow many strings each combiner box accepts
Combiner Box BlockAutoCAD block to use for combiner boxes

Viewing Homerun Data

After creating homeruns, you can view and export cable data:

Command: CABLEEXPORT

The cable export dialog shows:

  • String and homerun cable lengths
  • Circuit designations and inverter assignments
  • Click any row to zoom to that cable in the drawing
  • Export to CSV for BOM and documentation

Next Steps

Inverter CommandsGround Mount WorkflowElectrical Parameters
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