How thick does cable need to be to carry 35AMPS?

[Muncher]

I'm wiring in a heated screen to the VX but I'm not sure how thick the cable needs to be to carry 35 amps...

The screen comes with 2 wires attached which are pretty small, maybe 2mm diameter cable, these then need to be wired to a relay and them onto the battery. I believe the screen draws about 30-35amps for a period of 15 minutes. I have some wire which is roughly the same size as the wire attached to the screen, is this cable sufficient for 35 amps?

 

[Freefaller]

1.8~2 mm^2 (area) which is around 4mm.

 

[Psycrow]

I'd use 4mm minimum

 

[VBDub]

4.1mm 6AWG will be fine, don't use anything less than 4.1mm or the current draw could melt the wire.

 

[Gaygle]

35 AMPS?!

That is a HUGE amount, of current. What sort of voltage is it?

 

[Bear]

35 AMPS?!

That is a HUGE amount, of current. What sort of voltage is it?

If its for a car have a guess

 

[Freefaller]

If its for a car have a guess

 

[Gaygle]

If its for a car have a guess

lol

/schoolboy error.

 

[L1J]

Current carrying capacity is dependant on the type of cable used, 4mm^2 sounds about right but check the cable spec just in case.

See

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/cable/thinwall.php

and

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/cable/standardcable.php

I'd use the thin wall stuff personally.

 

[Muncher]

I've just checked the wire I have and it says 1x1 5mm2 on it

 

[L1J]

I've just checked the wire I have and it says 1x1 5mm2 on it

Are you missing a . there? It doesn't say 1.5mm^2 does it? I dont think I've ever used a 5mm^2 cable, it's not a common size. I stand to be corrected though

 

[Freefaller]

1.5mm^2 would be a little thin IMO

 

[big_white_dog84]

At 415V a 185 sq mm 3 core cable will carry 290A or ~ 200kW.
At 11kV a 185 sq mm 3 core cable will carry 290A or ~ 5.8MW

 

[Freefaller]

That doesn't answer his question :/

 

[L1J]

At 415V a 185 sq mm 3 core cable will carry 290A or ~ 200kW.
At 11kV a 185 sq mm 3 core cable will carry 290A or ~ 5.8MW

Whats that got to do with a 12V car system? That would seriously kill his power to weight ratio!

 

[WILD9]

This should have you covered, the length of the cable run plays quite a big part too.

 

[Ev0]

At 415V a 185 sq mm 3 core cable will carry 290A or ~ 200kW.
At 11kV a 185 sq mm 3 core cable will carry 290A or ~ 5.8MW

And to make the flux capacitor work he needs cable that'll hold 21.1 gigawatts.

 

[Psycrow]

We normally spec 4mm cable for 32A ring circuits at work because if one end of the ring breaks, 4mm can carry the full 32A without a problem (I'm an electrical engineer). If you want to be mega safe then use 6mm cable as it will definatly be ok.

Bigwhitedog84, that might be the most pointless post of 2007.

 

[L1J]

We normally spec 4mm cable for 32A ring circuits at work because if one end of the ring breaks, 4mm can carry the full 32A without a problem (I'm an electrical engineer). If you want to be mega safe then use 6mm cable as it will definatly be ok.

Bigwhitedog84, that might be the most pointless post of 2007.

A 4mm cable for a ring main is a totally different spec to one you would use in a car. It might have more insulation and not be able to dissapate heat as efficiently.

Use the spec provided by the cable manufacturer! Look at the links I posted earlier and see the difference in current carrying capacity for similiar sizes!

 

[Psycrow]

I guess but I'd assume the car one would have less insulation as its a much lower voltage, thus he would be safe with 4mm. I have to admit I didnt look at the link you posted earlier, my bad