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wire gauge for low amperage (less than 5)

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by lawless, Jan 13, 2014.

  1. Jan 13, 2014 at 4:09 PM
    #1
    lawless

    lawless [OP] the rent is too damn high

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    Lawson
    San Jose, CA
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    2012 dcsb mgm sc
    some quick advice is needed. i'm trying to figure out what gauge wire to run for bed lights and rock lights. they will be on separate circuits. let's say the draw on the bed lights is 3.45 amps and the rock lights are 2.4 amps. with a total length of 25' can i use 18 gauge wire or do i need 16 or 14?


    if you have a link to a chart or converter that would be helpful. the info i found on the interwebs seems to start at 10-20 amps and up so higher gauge wiring is recommended. i don't want to overkill but i don't want problems either. gracias.


    the lights i will be using:


    http://www.ebay.com/itm/281189690077?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649


    http://www.ebay.com/itm/130573395227?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2014
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  2. Feb 1, 2014 at 1:01 AM
    #2
    iJDub

    iJDub Well-Known Member

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    I'd like to know too.
     
  3. Feb 1, 2014 at 1:29 AM
    #3
    scollins

    scollins Well-Known Member

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    Scott
    Renton WA
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    A quick Google search found this:
    http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/amps-wire-gauge-d_730.html

    Figure your amp draw per circuit is 5A, and your run is 25 feet, the chart says 14AWG will handle it. If the run goes to 30 feet, it calls for 12AWG.

    Now, your projected loads are lower than 5A, so you could possibly go with 16AWG. Personally, I believe that "bigger is better." So unless the cost between 16AWG and 12AWG is a deal breaker, I'd go with 12AWG.
     
  4. Feb 4, 2014 at 11:58 AM
    #4
    lawless

    lawless [OP] the rent is too damn high

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    Lawson
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    thanks for that. all the charts I found kept starting at 10 - 25 amps so I was wondering about a lower amp draw.

    my rock lights will pull less than 3 amps (probably high 1's or just over 2) so I am thinking I will be ok with 18 ga for a 25' run. i'm still guesstimating without any published chart data that covers low amp draws.
     

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