Cat 5 Ampacity

http://www.sumidacrossing.org/LayoutElectricity/MRRWire/WireAmpacity/ - says AWG 24 carries 3.5A open and 2A enclosed.

From Stefan H.:

Under the following assumptions up to 3A should be fine.

- 26AWG cat5/6 cable

- using two leads

- cable is relatively short

- normal ambient temps

- stepper control (at most use 75% of configured drive current)

Also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_wire_gauge

Notes

Change on CEB controller: using RJ45 for power-over-cat5. That is a great standard for easy connection, as 8 leads are rated for a total of 16 amps enclosed, and 28 Amps open. So a good product ecology standard for all electrical signal/power transmission in CNC and controls applications. The relevance is the cost and easy connection in prototyping.

We could potentially even consider power over cat 5 for scalable power supplies - such as 8 cat 5 wires get you to a 200A welder - which would be the first use I hear of power electronics over cat 5. I think it's worthwhile because cat 5 is ubiquitously available. Phone burial feeder cable can also be used with Cat 5 ends, no?cc

Sourcing

• Cat6, 23 gauge, 19 cents per foot, 300v rating. [1]