How do I know what gauge wire for my amp?
To determine what gauge wire you need, consider the carrying capacity and the amount of current the wire needs to conduct (measured in amperage or amps). Wire gauge is directly related to how many amps you need to run through it. The distance you need the wire to go can also impact the gauge of wire you need.
How many amps can each gauge wire handle?
RULES OF THUMB “Twelve-gauge wire is good for 20 amps, 10-gauge wire is good for 30 amps, 8-gauge is good for 40 amps, and 6-gauge is good for 55 amps,” and “The circuit breaker or fuse is always sized to protect the conductor [wire].”
How many amps can 2 AWG wire handle?
How many amps can a 2 gauge wire handle? Well, at standard temperature of 75°C, the 2 gauge wire has a 115 amps ampacity. That means that any 2 gauge copper wire can, at that temperature, handle up to 115 amps safely.
How many amps can a 3 gauge wire carry?
100
Wire Size and Amp Ratings
| Wire Size | 75°C (167°F) | |
|---|---|---|
| AWG | (mm²) | Copper |
| 3 | (26.7) | 100 |
| 2 | (33.6) | 115 |
| 1 | (42.4) | 130 |
What gauge wire do I need for a 2000 watt amp?
Depending on how far you’re going, you’ll need between 4 gauge wire to00 gauge wire for a 2000 watt amplifier. If you only go 0-4 feet you can get away with the smaller wire, but anything beyond that will need thicker wire. It is possible to use 2 gauge for up to 10 feet.
Why are wire gauges backwards?
What Wire Gauge Sizes Affect. Beyond international standards, another source of confusion is why wire gauge sizes appear to be backwards of what they should be—as the physical width of the gauge increases the numerical value assigned to it decreases. The explanation goes back to the original process of wire drawing.
How far can you run 12 2 wire on a 20 amp breaker?
After these distances, the circuit will go over the recommended 3% voltage drop. You can run a 12 gauge wire up to 70 feet on a 15 amp circuit. That number drops to 50 feet if you run 12 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit.