Amplifier Wire Sizes?

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=9188
Printed Date: August 21, 2025 at 8:01 AM

Topic: Amplifier Wire Sizes?

Posted By: John W.
Subject: Amplifier Wire Sizes?
Date Posted: February 07, 2003 at 6:54 PM

When wiring up my amps this week I used #10 wire to run the +12v power from the battery. (That's what the instructions that came with the amp recommended) Unfortunatly, when I went to run the ground I didn't have enough of the #10 left, but I had some #8 and I used that for the ground. I am a complete novice at this and have been reading on the internet that you should use the same gauge wire for both the power and the ground. Am I in danger of damaging my amps?

Peace,

John

Replies:

Posted By: djfearny2
Date Posted: February 07, 2003 at 7:48 PM

thats for mostly interior amps but subs dont have that high frequency or wine from the cars engine. you should be fine ass long as your not over 400 watts of power for 6 hundred or more you should use the smae guage wire. for pos and ground.

-------------
Jon
Installer/Help Technician
---coral springs florida---
mecp certification is not always needed. I have it and it has not helped me out at all. my experience out shines it.

Posted By: John W.
Date Posted: February 08, 2003 at 6:21 AM

Thanks Jon. I don't guess it will be a problem then. I'm using 2 channels of a 4x100 watt amp to run two 6" speakers and a 250 watt amp to run a 10" sub.

Peace,

John

Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: February 08, 2003 at 11:32 AM

You will need at least an 8 gauge power and ground. If you have 400 watts +250 that’s 650 total. You can take a look at the 12 volts chart. https://www.the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp But in choosing a cable size always leave room for future upgrades.

Posted By: John W.
Date Posted: February 08, 2003 at 1:28 PM

Will it make a difference that I ran a seperate power and ground wire for each amp? The only wire the amps are "sharing" right now is the remote. Also, would it matter that I'm only using 2 of the channels on the 4 channel amp?

Peace,

John

Posted By: Big Purds
Date Posted: February 08, 2003 at 6:23 PM

your ground should always be at least the same size as your positive lead, if not bigger...

if you ran separate power wires the 10 ga should be sufficient...and the 8 ga ground is good...it works out better this way than the other way around...it is better that they are separated in this instance...at the utmost, it will not cause any harm to your system...

Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: February 08, 2003 at 9:09 PM

There is nothing wrong with running 2 separate cables Just be sure each cable is capable of caring the load that is on it. And as far as connection the remote wire to both amps that’s how it is done.

Posted By: John W.
Date Posted: February 08, 2003 at 9:47 PM

Thanks guys I appreciate the quick answers.

John

Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: February 08, 2003 at 10:26 PM

not a problem glad to have helped you!