Power cable ?
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=64610
Printed Date: May 17, 2024 at 7:24 PM
Topic: Power cable ?
Posted By: Lubrano
Subject: Power cable ?
Date Posted: October 18, 2005 at 4:28 PM
Hello, I have a 100 watt rms 2 channel amp. I have decided to run 8 awg. My question is what is the difference between thhn / thwn (regular building wire stranded ) and car audio wire? I am an electrican and can get the wire for free. I know the car audio is more flexible but is that all?? Thanks Sal
Replies:
Posted By: Hornshockey
Date Posted: October 18, 2005 at 4:44 PM
I'm not too familiar with the building wire; but I'm fairly sure the strands in that wire are much thicker than the car audio wire. The hosehold wire is designed to carry AC current which I beleive travels more on the inside of the wire; whereas DC travels on the surface.
Thus, smaller strands=more surface area
somebody correct me if I'm wrong; I'd like to know
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Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while; you could miss it.
Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: October 18, 2005 at 5:27 PM
You are wrong. AC travels on the surface, DC uses the whole wire. It's called "Skin effect" Look it up. (Not trying to sound smart mouthed about that either, just trying to give you a starting point.) That being said, 60Hz skin effect is STILL so deep (at 8.5mm) , that it really won't matter WHAT size wire you use in a house - it still uses the whole wire.
The bad part about using household (building) wire, is the flexibility. It is not as flexible as wire designed for use in the car, and tends to have a higher failure rate.
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It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
Posted By: Blowntweeters
Date Posted: October 18, 2005 at 5:36 PM
spend $25 bucks at wal-mart you can get a complete 8 awg kit.
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1974 ford pinto 4 15" punch Z power punch bd 1001 pioneer DEH-6700
Posted By: Hornshockey
Date Posted: October 19, 2005 at 2:41 AM
ah; so I was backwards; good to know
thanks
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Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while; you could miss it.
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