![]() Determine the appropriate wire size from the chart below. % Volt Drop = Percentage of voltage drop acceptable for this circuit (typically 2% to 5%)Ģ.VDI = AMPS x FEET ÷ (% VOLT DROP x VOLTAGE) Calculate the Voltage Drop Index (VDI) using the following formula: Note: This formula doesn’t directly yield a wire gauge size, but rather a “VDI” number, which is then compared to the nearest number in the VDI column, and then read across to the wire gauge size column.ġ. There’s no sense using your expensive PV wattage to heat wires. For most DC circuits, particularly between the PV modules and the batteries, we try to keep the voltage drop to 3% or less. Information was referenced from: ABYC E-11: AC & DC Electrical Systems on Boats.This chart is useful for finding the correct wire size for any voltage, length, or amperage flow in any AC or DC circuit. Any exposed metal of the wire is a point where moisture can travel along the wire and get into the electronic components at the end of the wire. In the Marine industry, you MUST use adhesive lined butt connectors to prevent moisture from ruining the connection.Avoid making right angle turns on sharp edges as this will eventually cut through the wire insulation, use grommets where necessary.Audio system and lighting system incoming power should not share the same terminal blocks to help prevent a buzz sound on the speakers.Use a common ground near the battery and DO NOT connect into a long shared ground line that boats sometimes have, otherwise this can add noise to speaker systems. ![]() This helps avoid picking up noise in your audio system. ![]() Do not run in parallel in the same bundle or conduit as low voltage signal cables such as audio input wires.A good rule of thumb is to use the next heavier gauge when possible. This changes the current drawn by the lights and can sometimes require selecting a larger wire size. A boats battery doesn’t always produce 12V, and can run as low as 10V under certain operating conditions, or up to 14V when charging.ABYC requires minimum of 16AWG on most single conductor wire runs (so even if the table or calculator says 18AWG, you should use 16AWG if running a single wire).ABYC Wire Sizer App (Available on Apple Store and Google Play).An Online Calculator (we recommend this one Link Here).Wire gauge table charts below (select the table for your system voltage).Your voltage drop requirement (Lumitec always recommends using 3%) - Voltage drop is the change in voltage along the wire due to resistance in the wire.ĭetermine the correct wire gauge by using one of several tools:.Distance of wire run (from the power source to the light AND BACK).If powering multiple lights add up the current draw per light rated for your system voltage. This will depend on system voltage, (Lumitec light current draw information for 12vDC and 24vDC is found on the light product pages on this website). The total current draw of the number of lights you are planning to power on the circuit.Your vessel’s system voltage, this is typically (12V or 24V).The higher the AWG number, the smaller the wire diameter.Typically, an installer will select the smallest wire they can for their application to save on material cost. In the U.S., wires are sized by the AWG (American Wire Gauge) system. (Distance from Battery to Light x 2 = Total Wire Run)
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