Maximum current a 4AWG wire can pull

 

Gold Member
Username: Illuminator

USA

Post Number: 3748
Registered: Apr-05
What's the most current you guys have pulled through a 4AWG wire and what brand of wire did you use to do it?
 

Gold Member
Username: Chaunb3400

Huntsville, Alabama U.S.

Post Number: 8290
Registered: Jul-05
i have seen around 1500rms it was some cheap pyramid wire...yep pyramid....but then again wire is wire
 

Gold Member
Username: Lbeckner

Tulsa, Ok Usa

Post Number: 1092
Registered: Oct-04
i think it depends on the length of the wire.
 

Gold Member
Username: Illuminator

USA

Post Number: 3751
Registered: Apr-05
Cool, thanks guys.
 

Silver Member
Username: Adddisorder

West palm, Florida

Post Number: 535
Registered: Jan-06
the12volt.com has a guide for that
 

Gold Member
Username: Theelfkeeper

Stockbridge, GA USA

Post Number: 2568
Registered: Feb-05
follow thoes guides and dont skimp on wire size. it'll save you time, money and frustration later on down the road.
 

Gold Member
Username: Illuminator

USA

Post Number: 3771
Registered: Apr-05
I've decided to just scrap using the charts as there are too many variables(number of wire strands, using test tones as opposed to regular music, copper vs aluminum etc.).
 

Gold Member
Username: Lbeckner

Tulsa, Ok Usa

Post Number: 1094
Registered: Oct-04
just use 1/0 for everything
 

Silver Member
Username: N2audio

Lawrence, Ks USA

Post Number: 937
Registered: Mar-04
"I've decided to just scrap using the charts as there are too many variables(number of wire strands, using test tones as opposed to regular music, copper vs aluminum etc.).

Those charts are really helpful - you're just making it too complicated.

Forget about copper vs. alum. I know aluminum wire exists, but you're not going to find anyone trying to sell it for car audio - if you do, go somewhere else.

Music/tones doesn't matter. Just go by your amps total rms power rating.

Number of strands is just a flexibility issue. AWG is AWG whether it's solid wire or a billio strands. Just make sure it's flexible enough that you can route it where you neet to route it.

All you really need to know is the rms power of your amps and the approximate length you need to run it.

Typically 4 ga will get you safely up near 1500 rms.
 

Gold Member
Username: Illuminator

USA

Post Number: 3786
Registered: Apr-05
Awesome, thanks.
 

Gold Member
Username: Lbeckner

Tulsa, Ok Usa

Post Number: 1095
Registered: Oct-04
"Number of strands is just a flexibility issue. AWG is AWG whether it's solid wire or a billio strands."

Actually I believe that the number of strands help determine the current carry capability. Because electrons travel on the surface of wires and not in them so the more strands you have the more surface area there is. Usually wires with fewer strands are intended for higher voltage.
 

Silver Member
Username: N2audio

Lawrence, Ks USA

Post Number: 939
Registered: Mar-04
skin effect is a high frequency AC phenomon. Not an issue in 12v power wires.

Strand count = flexibility
 

Silver Member
Username: N2audio

Lawrence, Ks USA

Post Number: 940
Registered: Mar-04
and I really do know how to spell phenomenon
 

Gold Member
Username: Lbeckner

Tulsa, Ok Usa

Post Number: 1096
Registered: Oct-04
um ok then use a single strand wire and see how much of a voltage drop you get versus a wire with 1000 strands.
 

Gold Member
Username: Stnorris

IA US

Post Number: 1070
Registered: Apr-06
calling strand count flexibility? hahahaha.

the strand count is gunna be a variable in the ability to carry current.
 

Silver Member
Username: N2audio

Lawrence, Ks USA

Post Number: 941
Registered: Mar-04
No measurable difference, lucas. Theoretically the solid wire would have less voltage drop because you can't have more cross-sectional area than solid, even if there are a million strands.

At a given length, and material the only variable for voltage drop is cross sectional area. It's really a pretty simple concept.

I'm surprised you guys see this as debatable.
 

Gold Member
Username: Lbeckner

Tulsa, Ok Usa

Post Number: 1098
Registered: Oct-04
do what i said earlier. measure the voltage drop. i used to think the same thing until we did this experiment in class.
 

Silver Member
Username: N2audio

Lawrence, Ks USA

Post Number: 943
Registered: Mar-04
then your test method was flawed. This is a VERY basic concept.
 

Gold Member
Username: Fandim

Reno, Nevada United State...

Post Number: 1313
Registered: Jun-05
Strand count is not a moot issue, in some cases, like knukonceptz kolossus line, strand count is using the same sized-strands (it's like what? 36 awg?) as others rated the same - but even though it's 1/0 gauge, it actually has over 1,000 more strands than 'standard' 4 gauge wire. (I.E. standard 4 gauge wire has like what, 4100ish strands of 36awg? Whereas KnuKonceptz stuff has like 5025 of 36awg).
 

Gold Member
Username: Fandim

Reno, Nevada United State...

Post Number: 1314
Registered: Jun-05
ok, it was late. Not over 1,000 more strands, but close to it. LoL. Just correcting myself before someone corrects me and calls me a dumba$$ for saying over 1000.
« Previous Thread Next Thread »



Main Forums

Today's Posts

Forum Help

Follow Us