Wire Gauge Ampacity: Difference between revisions
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=Basics= | =Basics= | ||
*How much Electrical Current a wire, and to an extent a circuit, can carry | |||
*Important to calculate so that you don't have [[Electrical Fires]] due to Overheating | |||
*Copper resistivity - 100 compared to aluminum 160. [https://help.leonardo-energy.org/hc/en-us/articles/205394842-Why-use-copper-rather-than-aluminium-as-the-conductor-in-power-cables-] | *Copper resistivity - 100 compared to aluminum 160. [https://help.leonardo-energy.org/hc/en-us/articles/205394842-Why-use-copper-rather-than-aluminium-as-the-conductor-in-power-cables-] | ||
*Aluminum has about 60% the conductivity of copper, but 30% the weight for a given diameter. All together, aluminum cable is half the weight of copper for the same ampacity. [https://www.anixter.com/en_us/resources/literature/wire-wisdom/copper-vs-aluminum-conductors.html] | *Aluminum has about 60% the conductivity of copper, but 30% the weight for a given diameter. All together, aluminum cable is half the weight of copper for the same ampacity. [https://www.anixter.com/en_us/resources/literature/wire-wisdom/copper-vs-aluminum-conductors.html] | ||
**It is however cheaper, at least in terms of the conductors, [[Aluminum Wire Compatible Outlets]] etc may complicate the budgeting, but Aluminum or [[Copper Clad Aluminum]] (CCA) are worth considering | |||
=Tables - Copper= | =Tables - Copper= | ||
#Engineering Toolbox - [https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/wire-gauges-d_419.html] | #Engineering Toolbox - [https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/wire-gauges-d_419.html] | ||
#Xtronics - [http://wiki.xtronics.com/index.php/Wire-Gauge_Ampacity] | #Xtronics - [http://wiki.xtronics.com/index.php/Wire-Gauge_Ampacity] | ||
#Powerstream - [https://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm] | #Powerstream - [https://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm] | ||
=Copper Clad Aluminum (CCA)= | =[[Copper Clad Aluminum]] (CCA)= | ||
*[http://wire.buyawg.com/viewitems/all-categories-appendix-allowable-ampacities/sulated-aluminum-or-copperclad-aluminum-conductors] | *[http://wire.buyawg.com/viewitems/all-categories-appendix-allowable-ampacities/sulated-aluminum-or-copperclad-aluminum-conductors] | ||
Revision as of 19:56, 24 June 2023
Basics
- How much Electrical Current a wire, and to an extent a circuit, can carry
- Important to calculate so that you don't have Electrical Fires due to Overheating
- Copper resistivity - 100 compared to aluminum 160. [1]
- Aluminum has about 60% the conductivity of copper, but 30% the weight for a given diameter. All together, aluminum cable is half the weight of copper for the same ampacity. [2]
- It is however cheaper, at least in terms of the conductors, Aluminum Wire Compatible Outlets etc may complicate the budgeting, but Aluminum or Copper Clad Aluminum (CCA) are worth considering
Tables - Copper
Copper Clad Aluminum (CCA)
Free Air
- "Directly from 4-004(1)(a), you must maintain a cable spacing not less then 100% of the larger cable diameter" - [7]
22 Ga for D3D
- At 24V we need 5A for the main power supply, so 22 ga should be good. 80C rating of [8]. Engineering Toolbox says 1 strand is good for 5A.
Discussion
- What are the limits to motor startup current, and common house wire? See discussion at Wire Ampacity: