Wire ratings?

[EarDrummin. 10+ year member]

I noticed some companies will advertise a 4 guage wire for 1000 watts, yet other will advertise for 1400, give or take. This is just one example, obviously. I would think the same size wire would more or less handle the same amount of power. Anyone know if this is just an example of advertising, or if they really can handle different amounts of power?

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[birsling 10+ year member]

Give or take, the same ga. of wire will handle the same amount of power. Though I always say, you can never go wrong going bigger. You never want to be choked off!

 

[desi_daru 10+ year member]

doesnt it matter on how many strands they have?? or they all the same....

 

[EarDrummin. 10+ year member]

Strands.. sounds like you might be onto something there, but again, I don't know.

As far as going bigger, 0/1 guage wire isn't exactly the most popular, and is a little harder to come by. It's rather hefty on the wallet.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

strands = flexibility, not power/current capacity.

Power ratings can never really be accurate on amp kits because the most important factor is length. 5' of 4 ga might be fine for 200A, but for 15' it wouldn't cut it. They just put a # on it to give people an idea.

 

[desi_daru 10+ year member]

k kewl, i had NO IDEA if strands would b an isue or not, but thanks for clearing it up, that its jus for flexibility