DIY Wire Gauge

[alesh]

Here you go you can use 18 gauge solid core for up to 9.5a http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/wire-gauges-d_419.html

If you use solid core you can use 16 ga for up to 20a 14 stranded for 15a It's basically your choice what you want to use.

I don't think this is a very good advise. The wires can survive such currents but the losses will be high. Pushing 10A@36V through 16 ga wire, there will be ~4.5% losses over the length of just 10 feet.

 

[frankslan]

I don't think this is a very good advise. The wires can survive such currents but the losses will be high. Pushing 10A@36V through 16 ga wire, there will be ~4.5% losses over the length of just 10 feet.

http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html?material=copper&wiresize=13.17&voltage=38&phase=dc&noofconductor=1&distance=10&distanceunit=feet&amperes=10&x=44&y=10

It says it would be only a 2 percent drop at 16 gauge. I think Im going to go with 12 gauge stranded to my block. for under 1 percent drop.

 

[alesh]

http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html?material=copper&wiresize=13.17&voltage=38&phase=dc&noofconductor=1&distance=10&distanceunit=feet&amperes=10&x=44&y=10

It says it would be only a 2 percent drop at 16 gauge. I think Im going to go with 12 gauge stranded to my block. for under 1 percent drop.

~4.5% would be at 36V and 10 ft cable (20 ft of conductors in total). For example Meanwell's HLG-600 series uses 2x AWG 14.

 

[qballizhere]

~4.5% would be at 36V and 10 ft cable (20 ft of conductors in total). For example Meanwell's HLG-600 series uses 2x AWG 14.

Yes they use stranded wire if you also look at the wiring from the drivers they are using soow cord it doesn't come in solid core wire

 

[alesh]

Yes they use stranded wire if you also look at the wiring from the drivers they are using soow cord it doesn't come in solid core wire

Yes, they do. Any reason why would you insist on a solid core wire? I personally prefer stranded one.

 

[frankslan]

~4.5% would be at 36V and 10 ft cable (20 ft of conductors in total). For example Meanwell's HLG-600 series uses 2x AWG 14.

oh I see what you mean, plus and minus, i purchased 12 gauge stranded. Thanks for the help much appreciated

 

[frankslan]

~4.5% would be at 36V and 10 ft cable (20 ft of conductors in total). For example Meanwell's HLG-600 series uses 2x AWG 14.

hey so I'm trying to decide if I should go with the driver mounted outside the tent or extend the power cord on the ac side. I'm getting these results with the calc. I see why people like the higher voltage drivers better. I should definitely go with the driver mounted inside the tent and run a longer cord or am I missing something?

12g 20 feet .64 voltage drop 1.60 percent (40 volt 10 amps)
http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html?material=copper&wiresize=5.211&voltage=40&phase=dc&noofconductor=1&distance=20&distanceunit=feet&amperes=10&x=74&y=19
12g 20 feet .22 voltage drop .18 percent (120 volt 3.5amps)
http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html?material=copper&wiresize=5.211&voltage=120&phase=ac&noofconductor=1&distance=20&distanceunit=feet&amperes=3.5&x=59&y=18

 

[thetr33man]

Last light I built I pulled the wires from some standard wall wire, 14ga and it worked fine with ideal holders I was using.

 

[bullSnot]

There is 18 guage wire for low voltage, all the way up to 600volts. Just Becuase homer depot only sells doorbell 18 awg does not mean it does not exist. An electrical supply house has what you need.

https://www.delcity.net/store/18-ga-RVI-Wire/p_183423.h_183504.t_1.r_IF1003?mkwid=sjteXJeD0&crid=38094426869&mp_kw=&mp_mt=&gclid=CLyq28HKv9ECFYZLDQodVo8Ouw

 

[frankslan]

There is 18 guage wire for low voltage, all the way up to 600volts. Just Becuase homer depot only sells doorbell 18 awg does not mean it does not exist. An electrical supply house has what you need.

https://www.delcity.net/store/18-ga-RVI-Wire/p_183423.h_183504.t_1.r_IF1003?mkwid=sjteXJeD0&crid=38094426869&mp_kw=&mp_mt=&gclid=CLyq28HKv9ECFYZLDQodVo8Ouw

Ya I got some 300volt 18 but for long runs its not good at the 38 volts as you lose voltage due to drop. Not much of a problem with the higher voltage drivers though.

 

[pollen205]

i dont know what is gauge...
In Europe we have mm...so 18 gauge is 1 mm...

Can I use 1.5 mm to wire my cobs in series?
And 2.5 mm cable from wall to driver ?

Is it ok that way ?