Re: cable amp ratings - answers to wrong questions

["Joseph H. Strubhar" <joe@gremcoinc.com>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Victor Tikhonov" <vtikhono@lsil.com>
To: <ev@listproc.sjsu.edu>
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 12:19 PM
Subject: cable amp ratings - answers to wrong questions


> The trouble with all the current ratings found in these books is that
> it's pointless.

Not really - it gives you a safe answer!

> Other day I went to home depot to get a wire to run 240 to other side
> of my garage there ai plug my EV. For fun I asked what wire size
> would I need for 40A load. Sales woman said #6. I asked, can I use
> thinner #8? No, it's rated for 30A she said. So, I asked, what exactly
> happens if I run 40A through #8 wire?

First of all, she's wrong - #8 IS rated for 40 amps! 30 amps is #10 wire.
#6 is rated for 55 amps.

Welding cable, I believe, is slightly higher, due to the increased number of
individual strands - this equals more surface area, which is what determines
the amperage rating of the wire in question. I use #2/0 cable in my
vehicles,
and draw up to 350 amps momentarily without any problems so far. When it
comes to things like this, I believe in a little overkill!

Joseph H. Strubhar

E-Mail: joe@gremcoinc.com

Web: http://www.gremcoinc.com