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 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.
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 / Power & Ground Cable Specs |
Total RMS
Power (watts) |
Current
Amps |
| 100 |
16 |
| 200 |
32 |
| 400 |
64 |
| 600 |
96 |
| 800 |
128 |
| 1000 |
160 |
| 1200 |
172 |
| 1400 |
188 |
|
|
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. |
