Recommended Power and Ground Cable Sizes

To calculate the proper power and ground cable sizes, find the distance of the power cable along the top row. If your measurement is between two measurements, use the higher one. Next, find the total RMS power the cable must support on the left. If your measurement is between two measurements, use the higher one. The size listed where your two measurements meet is the recommended cable size. Also see: • American Wire Gauge Sizes

Recommended Cable Size by Power and Distance Total RMS Power (watts) Distance 4 feet 8 feet 12 feet 16 feet 20 feet 100 10 gauge 10 gauge 8 gauge 8 gauge 4 gauge 200 10 gauge 8 gauge 8 gauge 4 gauge 4 gauge 400 8 gauge 8 gauge 4 gauge 4 gauge 4 gauge 600 8 gauge 4 gauge 4 gauge 4 gauge 4 gauge 800 4 gauge 4 gauge 4 gauge 2 gauge 2 gauge 1000 4 gauge 4 gauge 2 gauge 2 gauge 2 gauge 1400 4 gauge 2 gauge 2 gauge 2 gauge 2 gauge

Current Draw by Power Total RMS Power (watts) Current Amps 100       16       200 32 400 64 600 96 800 128 1000 160 1200 172 1400 188		Power & Ground Cable Specs Cable Size Wire Gauge Current Capacity Amperage (amps) 1/0 350 2 225 4 150 8 100 10 60 12 40 14 25 16 15
* Note: These figures have been rounded off for easy reference. Ground cables should be the same size (or larger) as the power cable. ** Current Draw figures are based on RMS Power of the amplifier with a 50% efficiency rating. *** Although wire gauge sizes smaller than 10 gauge may be acceptable for the amount of current draw, we recommend using 10 gauge as the smallest wire size for any amplifier of 100 watts or more. The goal is to provide as much current to the amplifier as it could possibly need for optimal performance.

Also see: • American Wire Gauge Sizes Car Stereo: • Glossary of Terms and Definitions • Ohm's Law • Passive Crossovers & Calculators • Power and Ground Cable Sizes • Subwoofer Enclosures • the12volt's Application Guide • the12volt's Install Bay • Tools & Equipment