Power Cable Gauge Calculator?

Dr_Wu
Dr_Wu Posts: 338
in 2 Channel Audio
Do I assume correctly that recommended wire gauge for a power cable depends on its length and the amplifier demands?

Can anyone point me to a calculator or chart for this?

Thanks!
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Comments

  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,589
    Anything with 12 gauge or higher will be OK. 14 gauge may work fine I personally prefer 12 gauge or higher.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,953
    edited March 2020
    "Nominal 120 Volts AC - 50 ft or Less:

    18 AWG- 10 Amps - 1200 Watts

    16 AWG - 13 Amps - 1560 Watts

    14 AWG - 15 Amps - 1800 Watts"
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,502
    edited March 2020
    There's a calculator here that gives you the effective damping factor for various inputs, including speaker impedance, amplifier damping factor at that impedance, amplifier power output, speaker cable gauge and length etc..

    http://www.bcae1.com/dampfact.htm
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Onkyo A-8017 integrated
    Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
    iFi nano iDSD DAC
    iPurifier3
    iDefender w/ iPower PS
    Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
    iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
    Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
    Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    The bigger the power cable the better. Better to have too much versus too little.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,502
    Oh sorry. I misread the post and was thinking speaker cables.
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Onkyo A-8017 integrated
    Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
    iFi nano iDSD DAC
    iPurifier3
    iDefender w/ iPower PS
    Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
    iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
    Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
    Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,306
    Well your dwelling is likely ran in 12-14awg wiring

    I like to at least match that awg to my amps
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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