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Wire Size
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Take a look at this wire. It is what we call Stranded wire. It has
multiple strands of copper wire, twisted together. This is the
type of wire you need to be using with DC voltage.
Selecting
the correct wire size and type is important for many reasons:
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Safety -
If the wire is too small for the load, the wire can overheat
or burn; causing damage and possible fire.
Voltage Drop -
The larger the wire, the less resistance, which means less
voltage is dropped along the length of the wire. As the wire gets
longer, more voltage is dropped.
The wire that your HHO Generator is attached to, should be able to
support at least 2 times the maximum amperage you plan on using (if
possible), so that the wire
does not become a fuse (get hot and melt).
Wire that supports more than 2 times the maximum current flow is
often used to reduce voltage loss due to the wire (caused by the
wire resistance).
In careful engineering, you should take into account the voltage drop, insulation temperature
limit, thickness, thermal conductivity, air convection, temperature,
and even frequency.
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Wire Gauge Table |
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Minimum Stranded Wire Size - Length in Feet |
| Amps |
Watts |
2' |
4' |
6' |
8' |
10' |
12' |
14' |
16' |
20' |
24' |
28' |
33' |
42' |
50' |
| 10 |
120 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
| 15 |
180 |
16 |
16 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| 20 |
240 |
16 |
14 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| 25 |
300 |
14 |
14 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
| 30 |
360 |
14 |
14 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
| 40 |
480 |
14 |
12 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 50 |
600 |
12 |
12 |
10 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 60 |
720 |
12 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 70 |
840 |
12 |
10 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0x2 |
| 80 |
960 |
12 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0x2 |
0x2 |
| 90 |
1080 |
12 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0x2 |
0x2 |
| 100 |
1200 |
10 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0x2 |
0x2 |
|
| 120 |
1440 |
10 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0x2 |
0x2 |
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| 140 |
1680 |
10 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0x2 |
0x2 |
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| 160 |
1920 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0x2 |
0x2 |
0x2 |
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| 180 |
2160 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0x2 |
0x2 |
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| 200 |
2400 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0x2 |
0x2 |
0x2 |
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| 250 |
3000 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0x2 |
0x2 |
0x2 |
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Note: 0x2 = use two 0 gauge wires (double up the wire)
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Remember, the footage is double the distance you measure
if you are running a separate ground wire, and not using the chassis
ground. That is because electrical current is flowing from the battery
negative to the cell, and from the cell positive to the battery
positive. Most people do not think about this factor. It is a common
mistake. So, if you are using the correct gauge wire - based on the
length of the wire, and the wire is getting hot, chances are you did not
calculate the return trip to the battery. |
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Zip-Wire - Red and Black
Red/Black Zip Cord is a low voltage DC power cable. Also called zip wire
and bonded wire, the cables pull apart for quick separation. Easy to
identify polarity for DC applications.
Available at Bulk Wire.com
Available at Power Werx.com |
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35 Feet, Automotive Hookup Wire, 10 gauge
Available from Radio Shack.com |
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35 Feet, Automotive Hookup Wire, 10 gauge
Available from Radio Shack.com |
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Page Last Edited -
04/03/2022
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