Wire Size Tables For Low Voltage


FIND WIRE SIZE REQUIRED FOR LESS THAN 5% POWER LOSS

Read down the left-hand edge to the number showing solar amps or watts your wire will carry for off-grid power. Follow that line across to the right to find your wire length in feet from solar to batteries. At the top of the column above your wire length is the minimum wire size (gauge) to use. Smaller gauge equals larger wire.

Buried DC cables must be copper, wet aluminum with DC corrodes quickly.

If your total solar power is over 25 amps, it is best to divide the solar into two smaller groups and run separate pairs of cables to a 30 amp breaker for each group.

Copper Wire Size and Length Table, 5% loss for 12 VOLT Wiring
    12ga 10ga 8ga 6ga 4ga 2ga 1/0 2/0 3/0
AMPS WATTS

Distance in feet to run wire below, Wire size above 

 4 48 43 68 113 178 288 450 725 900
6 72 30 43 75 119 188 300 481 600 760
8 96 21 36 56 88 144 225 363 450 570
10 120 17 28 45 71 113 180 290 360 457
15 180 11 17 30 47 75 120 193 240 304
20 240 8 13 22 36 56 90 145 180 229
25 300 11 17 28 45 72 115 145 183
30 360 8 15 23 37 60 96 120 152
40 480 11 17 28 45 72 90 114
50 600 13 22 36 57 72 91

 

Copper Wire Size and Length Table, 5% loss for 24 VOLT Wiring
    12ga 10ga 8ga 6ga 4ga 2ga 1/0 2/0 3/0
AMPS WATTS

Distance in feet to run wire below, Wire size above 

4 96 87 137 226 356 576 900
6 144 60 87 150 238 376 600 962
8 192 42 72 112 177 288 450 726 900
10 240 35 57 90 142 226 360 580 720 914
15 360 22 35 60 95 150 240 386 480 608
20 480 17 27 45 72 112 180 290 360 458
25 600 22 35 57 90 145 230 290 366
30 720 17 30 47 75 120 192 240 304
40 960 23 35 57 90 145 180 228
50 1200 27 45 72 115 145 182

 

Copper Wire Size and Length Table, 5% loss for 48 VOLT Wiring
    12ga 10ga 8ga 6ga 4ga 2ga 1/0 2/0 3/0
AMPS WATTS

Distance in feet to run wire below, Wire size above 

4 192 174 274 452 712 1152 1800

6 288 120 174 300 476 752 1200 1924

8 384 84 144 224 354 576 900 1452 1800
10 480 70 114 180 284 452 720 1160 1440 1828
15 720 44 70 120 190 300 480 772 960 1216
20 960 34 54 90 144 224 360 580 720 916
25 1200 28 44 70

114

180

290 460 580 732
30 1440 24 34 60 94 150 240 384 480 608
40 1920 18 26 46 70 114 180 290 360 456
50 2400 22 28 54 90 144 230 290 364

If you’re interested in building or improving your off-grid home, call us 208-263-4290 or contact us online for more information.

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