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Ask an Expert Forum Connect 2 different wire gauge; is the smaller gauge affecting the capacity of the bigger wire gauge?
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Connect 2 different wire gauge; is the smaller gauge affecting the capacity of the bigger wire gauge?

maolemieux
maolemieux over 6 years ago

Hello, I would like first to thank anyone taking the time to read this or help. I was wondering how to calculate how many amp I can use by connecting 2 different wire gauge. I am on a 12v dc circuit and would ie to connect a 12v led module to a battery for a long distance. The led modules come with a 22 awg gauge cable from the factory. I would like to run it for a long distance to the power source (battery or power supply) I plan to use awg 16 wire connected to the led module so I can make a big distance safely. I will solder the awg 16 to the awg 22 of the led module. I usually know how to calculate the max amp that I can run for a single wire gauge by looking at spec of wire. However I am not sure if the 22 awg wire gauge from the led will limit my 16 awg? Is the 16 awg maximum amp capacity is limited by the 22 awg or will the 16 awg be able to use it's full amp capacity?

 

So to calculate how far I can get with the awg 16 can I just calculate the 22 awg capacity and add to the 16 awg capacity or I need to calculate the 16 awg capacity as if it was a 22 awg?

 

 

I am sorry my english is not great I live in montreal and speak french

 

Thank again for any help

cheers

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  • Gough Lui
    Gough Lui over 6 years ago +5 suggested
    Your question is an interesting one can be solved by a little bit of thought - but the short answer is that each gauge and type of wire has its own maximum current capacity (ampacity) and connecting the…
  • jw0752
    jw0752 over 6 years ago +3 suggested
    Hi Mao, It sounds like you have an interesting project. Can you tell us what the current draw of the LED module is? Also how far is the long distance that you refer to? One thing that you can do is to…
  • jw0752
    jw0752 over 6 years ago in reply to maolemieux +2 suggested
    Hi Mao, You can always trust the voltage drop and the current to tell you what is happening. You said that you had a 7% voltage drop at the load end. If you began with 12 volts this would mean a drop of…
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  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 5 years ago

    I am connecting a solar panel to my generator and am thinking of using a 10awg adapter to connect mc4 to 8mm. As i will need a longer cable to reach I was thinking of using a extension that is a 16awg. will it matter?  thanks

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  • michaelkellett
    0 michaelkellett over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

    What matters (mostly) is how much current you intend to pass down the wire.

    How can you connect a solar panel to a generator - does it have batteries and a place to connect a solar panel ?

    It should have instructions that tell you about current ratings.

     

    If not then post some more details (pictures of the generator and panel) maybe and it should be possible to work it out.

     

    MK

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  • michaelkellett
    0 michaelkellett over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

    What matters (mostly) is how much current you intend to pass down the wire.

    How can you connect a solar panel to a generator - does it have batteries and a place to connect a solar panel ?

    It should have instructions that tell you about current ratings.

     

    If not then post some more details (pictures of the generator and panel) maybe and it should be possible to work it out.

     

    MK

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