Calculate the required wire gauge for DC systems to minimize voltage drop.
Electrical Parameters
V
A
m
%
Calculation Results
Enter parameters to calculate
About this calculator
Quick Reference
AWire Cross-sectional Area
IAmperage (Current)
LOne-way Distance
ρResistivity (1.724e-8 for Cu)
V_dropAllowed Voltage Drop
Overview
In DC systems (like 12V RV or solar setups), voltage drop is a major concern. Using wire that is too thin causes energy loss and can prevent appliances from working correctly.
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Pro Tips
Use 3% voltage drop for critical electronics (converters, solar chargers).
Use 10% voltage drop for non-critical loads (standard lighting, fans).
The distance is the one-way distance between the source and the load.
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Fun Facts
"Copper is usually preferred over aluminum for small DC systems because it's more conductive and less prone to corrosion."
"Voltage drop occurs because all wires have resistance; the longer and thinner the wire, the higher the resistance."
