![]() Installing too small a wire gauge decreases performance and may create a potential safety hazard. ![]() A 3-foot wire length will have less resistance than a 20-foot wire and therefore a longer length of wire may require an increase in the wire gauge to provide adequate voltage to the accessory. For that reason, it is important to factor in the length of wire when determining the wire gauge. All wire has inherent resistance and the longer the wire, the greater the resistance and the greater the voltage drop over the length of wire. 13.8 volts is a better value to use for wire gauge calculations though it will generally result in about the same gauge as 12 volts. When the vehicle is running, the alternator will increase the automotive voltage up to about 13.8 volts. Older batteries will probably show a lower voltage. 6.4 volts for a 6-volt lead-acid battery. The actual resting voltage of a fully charged, 6-cell automotive lead acid battery is about 12.7 volts or about 2.1 volts per cell. More current draw (higher amperage) requires a larger wire gauge to safely power the accessory.Īutomotive wiring is not exactly 12 volt. To find the required wire gauge for a specific application, you must know the current draw of the accessory on the circuit and the total wire length between the accessory and the power source. The larger the wire, the smaller the gauge number. Wire uses the measurement of gauge to determine the size of the wire. ![]() 12 Volt Wiring Gauge Requirements at specific Amps to length for Automotive Electrical Systems …
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