awg size and amperage

[DIGITALHIPPY]

2 awg is 94 amps
4 awg is 60 amps
6 awg is 37 amps
8 awg is 24 amps
10 awg is 15 amps
12 awg is 9.3 amps

this is out of high times jan 07 'stoners guide to electricity'.
i hope its under estimating...
im pumping 12 amps (2x600 1x1k, 1x 400) through a 12 awg cable.

also my 6 awg sub-panel is close to maxed already...
really only 37 amps of 240?

 

[yamaha_1fan]

I think it is wrong big time. I just googled and it seems like every AWG guide says the same thing but I wondering if there is something missing.

I know 12 gauge is used for 15 amp circuits all the time. I am using 10 gauge to run over 20 amps.

Maybe because the wire is used in a circuit it is calculated differently?

 

[Guest]

It is wrong but it erred on the side of caution # 12 is good for 20 amps...they are using the dc formula. .707 is the ac formula its a sign wave it is the root mean square of a sign wave.
10 awg is 30 amp(ac) copper is better than aluminum it looks like HT is talking aluminum.
14 awg is whats in the walls of most houses for 15 amp circuits lights ect.
I never use 14 awg because people tend to plug in lots of stuff we did not have before.

 

[Guest]

BTW can we believe HT, I remember when they advocated molding bud intentional that was in 1979 or 1978.

 

[Guest]

Gauge 110V
22 5A
20 7.5A
18 10A
16 13A
14 17A
12 23A
10 33A
8 46A
6 60A
4 80A
2 100A
1 125A
0 150A

 

[Guest]

The above chart is an engineering standard it has no figuring for any length of wire, wire has a resistance per foot.
The electrical code standard is much better. Just remember the NEC is a minimum standard.
An electrical fire is not worth a few dollars worth of wire. good wire is as good as insurance.

 

[DIGITALHIPPY]

Gauge 110V
22 5A
20 7.5A
18 10A
16 13A
14 17A
12 23A
10 33A
8 46A
6 60A
4 80A
2 100A
1 125A
0 150A

that looks better. 40 amps isnt alot for a fatty 6 awg.
was worried about at 12awg and fire too...

 

[DIGITALHIPPY]

unfortunately american wire standard things high times is correct.

http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

 

[fumancu]

How dose length of run fit in there.Does that change it any?

 

[DIGITALHIPPY]

How dose length of run fit in there.Does that change it any?

no these are all short runs less then 30 ft to the sub. then another 10 ft to my room/other panel.






i just dont have room for bigger cable ill have to rip out the old 3/4 and put in new conduit...make holes... repatch the wall... wire into breakerbox...
took me an all day saturday 12 h+ to get the 6awg wiggled through everywhere. if worse comes to ill just bring in another 10awg line through a different way...maybe for my 24kbtu a/c


does the fact that im running 75% of everything at 240V change the amperage????
i think ive got 3 fans and a 18kbtu portable a/c on the 120V

2 1k's 3 600's and a 400's are 240V.so thats about 19 amps of 240 by my math...+ 8 amps for the 120v....

 

[Bumble Buddy]

Hmm, I'm not understanding those ratings... sparky in the house?

Normally 15A circuits use at least #14 wire, 20A circuits use at least #12 wire. The circuit's capacitiy should be derated for continuous use devices (on for about 2-3 hours or more at a time) to about 80%, so a 15A circuit using #14 should use no more than 12A load, a 20A using #12 should use no more than 16A.

 

[DIGITALHIPPY]

Hmm, I'm not understanding those ratings... sparky in the house?

Normally 15A circuits use at least #14 wire, 20A circuits use at least #12 wire. The circuit's capacitiy should be derated for continuous use devices (on for about 2-3 hours or more at a time) to about 80%, so a 15A circuit using #14 should use no more than 12A load, a 20A using #12 should use no more than 16A.

oh man im pushing it... im planing on adding more...
ill just go and pick up a roll of #10... do two runs and split my load. atleast i can fucking sleep atnight. i can juice 15A through each #10 with no problems...

 

[RockyMountainHi]

How dose length of run fit in there.Does that change it any?

The greater the distance - the more resistance in the circut and, the greater loss of current and the higher heat.

 

[acidnI_livE]

yes rocky is right. longer wire adds more resitance.

you should buy that wire that is encaased in aluminum, instead of regular romax cable.

it is fire proof/explosion proof. wereif the wire has a mest down it will al be contained in the cables jacket and not catch anything else on fire. and it can withstand an explosion also. a little more money than regualr number 10 romax but like you said you will be able to sleep better at night knowing you have fire proof wire running in your grow room.

my $.02

Evil_Indica

 

[RockyMountainHi]

And remember,,,

if the fire department comes and puts a fire out in your grow room - they call the cops before they leave.

Grow smart and safe.

 

[DIGITALHIPPY]

And remember,,,

if the fire department comes and puts a fire out in your grow room - they call the cops before they leave.

Grow smart and safe.

knocking on wood here...
because ive been close!
now i find its worth a few extra $ to save my hairy ass.









a non-wireing fire was going for a few... just FYI and hps sitting on a plant/pot will melt/set it on fire!

 

[Guest]

Wire has a resistance per foot measured in ohms. When you have 100 feet or so the resistance causes voltage drop so your 110 volt lamps will be getting 105 volts.

This is ok for incandescent bulbs but things with a ballast will be all screwed up.When you have 100 feet of wire thats ALL the wire cords extension cords ect. you need to use a larger wire diameter.

You must add up every single foot this is very important. Include every inch up to the ballast.
Low voltage from excessive lengths of wire will cause excessive heat which can cause a fire.

 

[Guest]

That table is derived using the 700 circular mils rule.


The National Electrical Code in the United States is the authority that controls approved amperage ratings for conductors. The United States' N.E.C. doesn't use the 700 mil rule because it's too conservative.

They have a table; that table is called 'table 310-16'.

Note the cross symbol beside some of the wire sizes and insulation types noted, and the legend for it at the bottom. The cross designates a footnote at the bottom of the page, explaining special rules for gauges 14, 12, and 10 wire.

That table is Here

The gauges 14, 12, and 10, being so commonly used, and so widely distributed throughout installations in the United States, are specially further derated for extra safety's sake.

These are continuous amperage ratings. The 80%/120% rule often seen mistakenly spoken of, where people say ''you're only supposed to use a circuit at 80% of that rating'' does not apply to end users.

It is strictly a design rule when determining how much extra capacity should be factored into a set of circuits about to be installed, to account for future expansion of demand.
The estimated continuous usage in amps is taken, multiplied by 120%, and the bid or circuit design is based on that quantity of power usage, rather than the actual, estimated usage at the time of design & installation.

This rule was invoked since history shows nearly all electrical installations wind up using more power over time rather than less, eventually leading to breakers flipping. People then start running extension cords, which are the #1 cause of electrical fires.

The 80% rule does not apply to individual circuits, devices, or any installation already in place. They are safe to use at their full rating.

Octodiem is right about the 100 feet. It's only a general rule of thumb to put it so simply but basically for every hundred feet of wire in a run, be prepared to see suggested wire size step up one size.

 

[~fvk~]

knocking on wood here...
because ive been close!
now i find its worth a few extra $ to save my hairy ass.









a non-wireing fire was going for a few... just FYI and hps sitting on a plant/pot will melt/set it on fire!

So wait, how did that happen? Did you set it there yourself or did it fall? That's crazy as hell though... Scares me just looking at them pictures...

 

[chiliwalt]

Good thread.