Find Suitable Wire Size for Electrical Wiring

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How to Find The Suitable Size of Cable & Wire for

Electrical Wiring Installation? – Examples in Imperial &
Metric System
 Electrical Technology  112  13 minutes read
How to Determine the Proper Size of Wire & Cable for Electrical Wiring Installation?
The following step by step guide will show you how to find the right size of cable and wire or any other
conductor for electrical wiring installation with solved examples (in both British or English and SI System i.e.
Imperial and Metric System respectively).
Keep in mind that it is very important to select proper wire size while sizing a wire for electrical installations.
An inappropriate size of wire for bigger loads having high current may create chaos which leads to failure of
the electrical equipment, hazardous fire and serious injuries.
Table of Contents 
1. Voltage Drop in Cables
1.1. Example:
2. Tables & Charts for Proper Cable & Wire Sizes
3. How to Find the Voltage Drop in a Cable?
4. How to Determine the Proper Cable & Wire Size for Given Load?
5. Solved Examples of Proper Wire & Cable Size
5.1. Example 1 … (Imperial, British or English System)
5.2. Example 2 … (SI / Metric / Decimal System)
5.3. Example 3
5.4. Example 4
6. NEC Wire Size Table 310.15(B)(16) (formerly Table 310.16) & Chart
Voltage Drop in Cables

We know that all conductors, wires and cables (except superconductors) have some amount of resistance.
This resistance is directly proportional to the length and inversely proportional to the diameter of conductor
i.e.
R ∝ L/a … [Laws of resistance R = ρ (L/a)]
Whenever current flows through a conductor, a voltage drop occurs in that conductor. Generally, voltage drop
may be neglected for small length of conductors but in case of a lower diameter and long length conductors,
we have to take into account the considerable voltage drops for proper wiring installation and future load
management.
According to IEEE rule B-23, at any point between power supply terminal and installation, Voltage drop
should not increase above 2.5% of the provided (supply) voltage.
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1 of 28 31/10/22, 09:56
Example:
If the supply voltage is 220V AC, then the value of allowable voltage drop should be;
Allowable Voltage Drop = 220 x (2.5/100) = 5.5V
Similarly, if the supply voltage is 120V AC, the allowable voltage drop should be no more than 3V ( 120V x
2.5%).
In electrical wiring circuits, voltage drops also occur from the distribution board to the different sub circuit and
final sub circuits, but for sub circuits and final sub circuits, the value of voltage drop should be half of that
allowable voltage drops (i.e. 2.75V of 5.5V as calculated above)
Normally, Voltage drop in tables is described in Ampere per meter (A/m) e.g. what would be the voltage
drop in a one meter cable which caries one Ampere current?
There are two methods to define the voltage drop in a cable which we will discus below.
In SI (System international and metric system) voltage drop is described by ampere per meter (A/m).
In FPS (foot pound system) voltage drop is described in length based which is 100 feet.
Update: Now you may also use the following electrical Calculators to find Voltage drop & the wire size
in American wire gauge systems.
1. Electrical Wire & Cable Size Calculator (Copper & Aluminum)

2. Wire & Cable Size Calculator in AWG
3. Voltage Drop in Wire & Cable Calculator
Tables & Charts for Proper Cable & Wire Sizes

Below are the important tables which you should follow for determining the proper size of cable for Electrical
Wiring Installation.
Click image to enlarge
2 of 28 31/10/22, 09:56
How to Find the Voltage Drop in a Cable?

To find voltage drop in a cable, follow the simple steps given below.
First of all, find the maximum allowable voltage drop.

Now, find the load current.
Now, according to the load current, select a proper cable (which current rating should be nearest to the
calculated load current) from table 1.
From Table 1, find the voltage drop in meter or 100 feet (what system you prefer) according its rated
current.
(Stay cool :) We will follow both methods and systems for finding voltage drops (in meters and 100 feet) in
our solved example for whole electrical installation wiring).
Now, calculate the voltage drop for the actual length of the wiring circuit according to its rated current
with the help of following formulas.
(Actual length of circuit x volt drop for 1m) /100 ===> to find Volt drop in per meter.
3 of 28 31/10/22, 09:56
(Actual length of circuit x volt drop for 100ft) /100 ===> to find volt drop in 100 feet.
Now multiply this calculated value of volt drop by load factor where;
Load factor = Load Current to be taken by Cable/ Rated Current of Cable given in the table.
This is the value of Volt drop in the cables when load current flows through it.
If the calculated value of voltage drop is less than the value calculated in step (1) (Maximum allowable
voltage drop), than the size of selected cable is proper
If the calculated value of voltage drop is greater than the value calculated in step (1) (Maximum
allowable voltage drop), than calculate voltage drop for the next (greater in size) cable and so on until
the calculated value of voltage drop became less than the maximum allowable voltage drop calculated
in step (1).
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How to Determine the Proper Cable & Wire Size for Given Load?
Below are solved examples showing how to find the proper Cable Size for Given Load.
For a given load, cable size may be found with the help of different tables but we should keep in mind and
follow the rules about voltage drop.
Determining the size of cable for a given load, take into account the following rules.
For a given load except the known value of current, there should be 20% extra scope of current for
additional, future or emergency needs.
From Energy meter to Distribution board, Voltage drop should be 1.25% and for final sub circuit, voltage drop
should not exceed 2.5% of Supply voltage.
Consider the change in temperature, when needed, use temperature factor (Table 3)
Also, consider the load factor when finding the size of cable
When determining the cable size, consider the wiring system i.e. in an open wiring system, temperature
would be low but in conduit wiring, temperature increases due to the absence of air.
Note: Keep in mind Diversity Factor in Electrical Wring Installation while selecting the proper size of
cable for electrical wiring installation
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Solved Examples of Proper Wire & Cable Size

Following are the examples of determining the proper Size of cables for electrical wiring installation which will
make it easy to understand the method of “how to determine the proper size of cable for a given load”.
Example 1 … (Imperial, British or English System)

For Electrical wiring installation in a building, Total load is 4.5kW and total length of cable from energy meter
to sub circuit distribution board is 35 feet. Supply voltages are 220V and temperature is 40°C (104°F). Find
the most suitable size of cable from energy meter to sub circuit if wiring is installed in conduits.
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Solution:-
Total Load = 4.5kW = 4.5 x1000W = 4500W

20% additional load = 4500 x (20/100) = 900W
Total Load = 4500W + 900W = 5400W
Total Current = I = P/V = 5400W /220V =24.5A
Now select the size of cable for load current of 24.5A (from Table 1) which is 7/0.036 (28 Amperes). It means
we can use 7/0.036 cable according to table 1.
Now check the selected (7/0.036) cable with temperature factor in Table 3, so the temperature factor is 0.94
(in table 3) at 40°C (104°F) and current carrying capacity of (7/0.036) is 28A, therefore, current carrying
capacity of this cable at 40°C (104°F) would be;
Current rating for 40°C (104°F) = 28 x 0.94 = 26.32 Amp.
Since the calculated value (26.32 Amp) at 40°C (104°F) is less than that of current carrying capacity of
(7/0.036) cable which is 28A, therefore this size of cable (7/0.036) is also suitable with respect to
temperature.
Now find the voltage drop for 100 feet for this (7/0.036) cable from Table 4 which is 7V, But in our case, the
length of cable is 35 feet. Therefore, the voltage drop for 35 feet cable would be;
Actual Voltage drop for 35 feet = (7 x 35/100) x (24.5/28) = 2.1V
And Allowable voltage drop = (2.5 x 220)/100 = 5.5V
Here The Actual Voltage Drop (2.1V) is less than that of maximum allowable voltage drop of 5.5V. Therefore,
the appropriate and most suitable cable size is (7/0.036) for that given load for Electrical Wiring Installation.
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Example 2 … (SI / Metric / Decimal System)

What type and size of cable suits for given situation
Load = 5.8kW
Volts = 230V AV
Length of Circuit = 35 meter
Temperature = 35°C (95°F)
Solution:-
Load = 5.8kW = 5800W
Voltage = 230V
Current = I = P/V = 5800 / 230 = 25.2A
20% additional load current = (20/100) x 5.2A = 5A
Total Load Current = 25.2A + 5A = 30.2A
Now select the size of cable for load current of 30.2A (from Table 1) which is 7/1.04 (31 Amperes). It means
we can use 7/0.036 cable according to the table 1.
Now check the selected (7/1.04) cable with temperature factor in Table 3, so the temperature factor is 0.97
(in table 3) at 35°C (95°F) and current carrying capacity of (7/1.04) is 31A, therefore, current carrying
capacity of this cable at 40°C (104°F) would be;
Current rating for 35°C (95°F) = 31 x 0.97 = 30 Amp.
Since the calculated value (30 Amp) at 35°C (95°F) is less than that of current carrying capacity of (7/1.04)
5 of 28 31/10/22, 09:56
cable which is 31A, therefore this size of cable (7/1.04) is also suitable with respect to temperature.
Now find the voltage drop for per ampere meter for this (7/1.04) cable from (Table 5) which is 7mV, But in our
case, the length of cable is 35 meter. Therefore, the voltage drop for 35 meter cable would be:
Actual Voltage drop for 35meter =
= mV x I x L
= (7/1000) x 30×35 = 7.6V
And Allowable voltage drop = (2.5 x 230)/100 = 5.75V
Here the actual Voltage drop (7.35V) is greater than that of maximum allowable voltage drop of 5.75V.
Therefore, this is not a suitable size of cable for that given load. So we will select the next size of selected
cable (7/1.04) which is 7/1.35 and find the voltage drop again.
According to Table (5) the current rating of 7/1.35 is 40 Amperes and the voltage drop in per ampere meter is
4.1 mV (See table (5)). Therefore, the actual voltage drop for 35 meter cable would be;
Actual Voltage drop for 35 meter =
= mV x I x L
(4.1/1000) x 40×35 = 7.35V = 5.74V
This drop is less than that of maximum allowable voltage drop. So this is the most appropriate and suitable
cable or wire size.
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Example 3
Following Loads are connected in a building:-
Sub-Circuit 1
2 lamps each o 1000W and

4 fans each of 80W
2 TV each of 120W
Sub-Circuit 2
6 Lamps each of 80W and

5 sockets each of 100W
4 lamps each of 800W
If supply voltages are 230 V AC, then calculate circuit current and Cable size for each Sub-Circuit?
Solution:-
Total load of Sub-Circuit 1
= (2 x 1000) + (4 x 80) + (2×120)
= 2000W + 320W + 240W = 2560W
Current for Sub-Circuit 1 = I = P/V = 2560/230 = 11.1A
Total load of Sub-Circuit 2
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= (6 x 80) + (5 x 100) + (4 x 800)
= 480W + 500W + 3200W= 4180W
Current for Sub-Circuit 2 = I = P/V = 4180/230 = 18.1A
Therefore, Cable suggested for sub circuit 1 = 3/.029” (13 Amp) or 1/1.38 mm (13 Amp)
Cable suggested for Sub-Circuit 2 = 7/.029” (21 Amp) or 7/0.85 mm (24 Amp)
Total Current drawn by both Sub-Circuits = 11.1A + 18.1A = 29.27 A
So cable suggested for Main-Circuit = 7/.044″ (34 Amp) or 7/1.04 mm (31 Amp)
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Example 4
A 10H.P (7.46kW) three phase squirrel cage induction motor of continuous rating using Star-Delta starting is
connected through 400V supply by three single core PVC cables run in conduit from 250feet (76.2m) away
from multi-way distribution fuse board. Its full load current is 19A. Average summer temperature in Electrical
installation wiring is 35°C (95°F). Calculate the size of the cable for the motor?
Solution:-
Motor load = 10H.P = 10 x 746 = 7460W *(1H.P = 746W)

Supply Voltage = 400V (3-Phase)
Length of cable = 250feet (76.2m)
Motor full load Current = 19A
Temperature factor for 35°C (95°F) = 0.97 (From Table 3)
Now select the size of cable for full load motor current of 19A (from Table 4) which is 7/0.36” (23 Amperes)
*(Remember that this is a 3-phase system i.e. 3-core cable) and the voltage drop is 5.3V for 100 Feet. It
means we can use 7/0.036 cable according Table (4).
Now check the selected (7/0.036) cable with temperature factor in table (3), so the temperature factor is 0.97
(in table 3) at 35°C (95°F) and current carrying capacity of (7/0.036”) is 23 Amperes, therefore, current
carrying capacity of this cable at 40°C (104°F) would be:
Current rating for 40°C (104°F) = 23 x 0.97 = 22.31 Amp.
Since the calculated value (22.31 Amp) at 35°C (95°F) is less than that of current carrying capacity of
(7/0.036) cable which is 23A, therefore this size of cable (7/0.036) is also suitable with respect to
temperature.
Load factor = 19/23 = 0.826
Now find the voltage drop for 100feet for this (7/0.036) cable from table (4) which is 5.3V, But in our case, the
length of cable is 250 feet. Therefore, the voltage drop for 250 feet cable would be;
Actual Voltage drop for 250feet = (5.3 x 250/100) x 0.826 = 10.94V
And maximum Allowable voltage drop = (2.5/100) x 400V= 10V
Here the actual Voltage drop (10.94V) is greater than that of maximum allowable voltage drop of 10V.
Therefore, this is a not a suitable size of cable for the given load. So we will select the next size of selected
cable (7/0.036) which is 7/0.044 and find the voltage drop again. According to Table (4) the current rating of
7 of 28 31/10/22, 09:56
7/0.044 is 28 Amperes and the volt drop in per 100 feet is 4.1V (see Table 4). Therefore, the actual voltage
drop for 250 feet cable would be;
Actual Voltage drop for 250 feet =
= Volt drop per 100 feet x length of cable x load factor
= (4.1/100) x 250 x 0.826 = 8.46V
And Maximum Allowable voltage drop = (2.5/100) x 400V= 10V
The actual voltage drop is less than that of maximum allowable voltage drop. So this is the most appropriate
and suitable cable size for electrical wiring installation in a given situation.
NEC Wire Size Table 310.15(B)(16) (formerly Table 310.16) & Chart
NEC (National Electrical Code) Table 310.15(B)(16) (formerly Table 310.16) – 310.60 – ARTICLE 310 –
Conductors for General Wiring & Allowable Ampacities of Conductors & Wire Sizes based on AWG
(American Wire Gauge).
310.60 ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
Table 310.15(B)(16) (formerly Table 310.16) Allowable Ampacities of Insulated Conductors Rated Up to
and Including 2000 Volts, 60°C Through 90°C (140°F Through 194°F), Not More Than Three Current-
Carrying Conductors in Raceway, Cable, or Earth (Directly Buried), Based on Ambient Temperature of
30°C (86°F)*
Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table 310.104(A).]
60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C

90°C (194°F)
(140°F) (167°F) (194°F) (140°F) (167°F)
Types
TBS, SA,
SIS, FEP,
FEPB,
MI, RHH,
Types Types TBS, SA,
RHW-2, Size
Size RHW, SIS, THHN, THHW,
THHN, Types RHW, AWG
AWG or THHW,
THHW, THHW, or
Types THW, Types TW, THW-2, THWN-2,
kcmil THW,
TW, UF THWN, UF RHH, RHW-2, kcmil
THW-2, THWN,
XHHW, USE-2, XHH,
THWN-2, XHHW, USE
USE, XHHW, XHHW-2,
USE-2,
ZW ZW-2
XHH,
XHHW,
XHHW-2,
ZW-2
COPPER ALUMINUM OR COPPER-CLAD ALUMINUM
18** — — 14 — — — —
16** — — 18 — — — —
14** 15 20 25 — — — —
12** 20 25 30 15 20 25 12**
10** 30 35 40 25 30 35 10**
8 40 50 55 35 40 45 8
6 55 65 75 40 50 55 6
8 of 28 31/10/22, 09:56
4 70 85 95 55 65 75 4
3 85 100 115 65 75 85 3
2 95 115 130 75 90 100 2
1 110 130 145 85 100 115 1
1/0 125 150 170 100 120 135 1/0
2/0 145 175 195 115 135 150 2/0
3/0 165 200 225 130 155 175 3/0
4/0 195 230 260 150 180 205 4/0
250 215 255 290 170 205 230 250
300 240 285 320 195 230 260 300
350 260 310 350 210 250 280 350
400 280 335 380 225 270 305 400
500 320 380 430 260 310 350 500
600 350 420 475 285 340 385 600
700 385 460 520 315 375 425 700
750 400 475 535 320 385 435 750
800 410 490 555 330 395 445 800
900 435 520 585 355 425 480 900
1000 455 545 615 375 445 500 1000
1250 495 590 665 405 485 545 1250
1500 525 625 705 435 520 585 1500
1750 545 650 735 455 545 615 1750
2000 555 665 750 470 560 630 2000
*Refer to 310.15(B)(2) for the ampacity correction factors where the ambient temperature is other
than 30°C (86°F). Refer to 310.15(B)(3)(a) for more than three current-carrying conductors.
**Refer to 240.4(D) for conductor overcurrent protection limitations.
Here is the NEC table as a chart (image format to downloads as a reference)
9 of 28 31/10/22, 09:56
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 Tags Cable Size Table 310.15(B)(16) Table 310.16 Wire Size
SHOW ALL COMMENTS
10 of 28 31/10/22, 09:56
AC Fundamentals Alternating Current EE Questions / Answers Over Head Lines
Power factor Power System Single Phase AC Circuits
Advantages of Power factor

improvement and Correction
 Electrical Technology  2  1 minute read
Advantages of Power factor improvement and Correction:
Following are the merits and benefits of improvedPower factor;

1. Increase in efficiency of system and devices
2. Low Voltage Drop
3. Reduction in size of a conductor and cable which reduces cost of the
Cooper
4. An Increase in available power
5. Line Losses (Copper Losses) I2R is reduced
6. Appropriate Size of Electrical Machines (Transformer, Generators etc)
7. Eliminate the penalty of low power factor from the Electric Supply
Company
8. Low kWh (Kilo Watt per hour)
9. Saving in the power bill
10. Better usage of power system, lines and generators etc
11. Saving in energy as well as rating and the cost of the electrical devices
and equipment is reduced
You may also read about:
Power Factor
Active, Reactive, Apparent and Complex Power. Simple

explanation with formulas.
Causes of low Power Factor

Disadvantages of Low Power Factor
Power Factor improvement Methods with Their
advantages & Disadvantages
How to Calculate the Suitable Capacitor Size in Farads &

kVAR for Power factor Improvement (Easiest way ever)
How to Convert Capacitor Farads into kVAR and Vice
Versa (For Power factor improvement)
SHOW ALL COMMENTS
11 of 28 31/10/22, 09:56
EE Questions / Answers How To Over Head Lines Power factor
Power System Single Phase AC Circuits Three Phase AC Circuits


The main cause of low Power factor is Inductive Load. As in pure
inductive circuit, Current lags 90° from Voltage, this large difference of
phase angle between current and voltage causes zero power factor.
Basically, all those circuit having Capacitance and inductance (except
resonance circuit (or Tune Circuit) where inductive reactance =
capacitive reactance (XL = Xc), so the circuit becomes a resistive
circuit), power factor would be exist over there because Capacitance
and inductance causes in difference of phase angle (θ) between current
and voltage.
there are a lot of disadvantages of low Pf and we must improve Pf .
Following are the causes of low Power factor:
1. Single phase and three phase induction Motors(Usually, Induction
motor works
at poor power factor i.e. at:
Full load, Pf = 0.8 -0.9
Small load, Pf = 0.2 -0.3
No Load, Pf may come to Zero (0).
2. Varying Load in Power System(As we know that load on power
system is varying. During low load period, supply voltage is increased
which increase the magnetizing current which cause the decreased
power factor)
3. Industrial heating furnaces
4. Electrical discharge lamps (High intensity discharge lighting) Arc
lamps (operate
a very low power factor)
5. Transformers
6. Harmonic Currents
You may also read about:
12 of 28 31/10/22, 09:56
Power Factor
Active, Reactive, Apparent and Complex Power. Simple
explanation with formulas.
Disadvantages of Low Power Factor
Power Factor improvement Methods with Their
advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages of Power factor improvement and
Correction
How to Calculate the Suitable Capacitor Size in Farads
& kVAR for Power factor Improvement (Easiest way
ever)
EE Questions / Answers How To Over Head Lines Power factor
Power System Single Phase AC Circuits Three Phase AC Circuits
Power Factor improvement

Methods with Their advantages &
Disadvantages
Methods for Power Factor Improvement

The following devices and equipment are used for power factor
correction in an electrical system.
1. Static Capacitor
2. Synchronous Condenser
3. Phase Advancer
1. Static Capacitor
We know that most of the industries and power system loads are
inductive that take lagging current which decreases the system
power factor (See disadvantages of low power factor) . For power
factor improvement purposes, static capacitors are connected in
parallel with those devices which work on low power factor.
These static capacitors provide leading current which neutralizes

(totally or approximately) the lagging inductive component of load
current (i.e. leading component neutralizes or eliminates the lagging
component of load current) thus power factor of the load circuit is
13 of 28 31/10/22, 09:56
component of load current) thus power factor of the load circuit is

improved.
These capacitors are installed in vicinity of large inductive loads e.g.

induction motors and transformers etc., and improve the load circuit
power factor to improve the system or device efficiency.
Suppose, here is a single phase inductive load which is taking

lagging current (I) and the load power factor is Cosθ as shown in
fig-1.
In fig-2, a capacitor (C) has been connected in parallel with load.

Now a current (IC) is flowing through capacitor which lead 90° from
the supply voltage ( Note that Capacitor provides leading Current i.e.,
In a pure capacitive circuit, Current leading 90° from the supply
Voltage, in other words, Voltage are 90° lagging from Current). The
load current is (I). The vector combination of (I) and (IC) is (I’) which is
lagging from voltage at θ2 as shown in fig 3.
It can be seen from fig 3 that angle of θ2 < θ1 i.e. angle of θ2 is less
than from angle of θ2. Therefore Cosθ2 is less than from Cosθ1
(Cosθ2 > Cosθ1). Hence the load power factor is improved by
capacitor.
Also note that after the power factor improvement, the circuit current
would be less than from the low power factor circuit current. Also,
before and after the power factor improvement, the active component
of current would be the same in that circuit because the capacitor
14 of 28 31/10/22, 09:56
The age of static capacitor bank is less (8 – 10 years)

With changing load, we have to ON or OFF the capacitor bank,
which causes switching surges on the system
If the rated voltage increases, then it causes damage it
Once the capacitors spoiled, then repairing is costly
2. Synchronous Condenser
When a Synchronous motor operates at No-load and is over-excited
then it’s called a synchronous condenser. Whenever a Synchronous
motor is over-excited then it provides leading current and works like a
capacitor.
In a synchronous motor, a separate DC source is used for the

excitation of the field winding. Therefore the input supply only
provides current to energize the stator i.e. the current provided is in-
phase with the supply voltage. So the power factor remains unity.
The power factor can be adjusted by varying the DC excitation.

Increasing the DC excitation, the power factor varies from lagging to
unity and leading power factor. When the DC excitation increases,
the field windings are over-magnetized. The input supply provides a
current component to the stator to compensate for this over-
magnetization. This current leads to the supply voltage causing a
leading power factor or generating reactive power.
An inductive load consumes reactive power causing a lagging power
15 of 28 31/10/22, 09:56
AC Fundamentals Alternating Current Basic Concepts
Basic Electrical Fundamentals DC Circuits EE Questions / Answers
Electric Circuit Analysis Electrical Formulas & Equations Resistors
It is expensive (mainte
Ohm’s Law: Simple Explanation
with Statement and Formulas
What is Ohm’s Law? Explanation, Formula and Solved

Example
main shaft
Ohm’s Lawof the motor
The relationship between Current through and Voltage across a
16 of 28 31/10/22, 09:56
conductor was first discovered by a German scientist George Simon

Ohm. This relationship is called Ohm’s Law which can be stated as;
The Current “I” ﬂowing through a conductor is

directly proportional to the potential diﬀerence
i.e. Voltage “V” across its ends provided the
physical conditions (i.e. temperature, strain,
etc) do not change.
In other words;

In any electric circuit, the Current “I” is
directly proportional to the applied
Voltage “V” and inversely proportional to
the total circuit Resistance “R” if the
physical condition of the circuit remain
unchanged i.e. (Temperature of the
circuit does not change)
Mathematically,
I ∝ V … or … V ÷ I => Where R = Constant
Where “R” is a Constant of proportionality and is called Resistance of

the Conductor.
Current = Potential Difference ÷ Resistance
I=V÷R
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17 of 28 31/10/22, 09:56
Current = Voltage ÷ Resistance
Amps = Volts ÷ Ohms (Ω)
3.
R=V÷I
Resistance = Voltage ÷ Current
Ohms (Ω) = Volts ÷ Amps
Where:
V = Voltage in Volts
I = Current in Amperes
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Find Suitable Wire Size for Electrical Wiring

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How to Find The Suitable Size of Cable & Wire for Elec... https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2013/10/how-to-d...

How to Find The Suitable Size of Cable & Wire for

Voltage Drop in Cables

R ∝ L/a … [Laws of resistance R = ρ (L/a)]

Allowable Voltage Drop = 220 x (2.5/100) = 5.5V

1. Electrical Wire & Cable Size Calculator (Copper & Aluminum)

Tables & Charts for Proper Cable & Wire Sizes

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How to Find the Voltage Drop in a Cable?

First of all, find the maximum allowable voltage drop.

Solved Examples of Proper Wire & Cable Size

Example 1 … (Imperial, British or English System)

Total Load = 4.5kW = 4.5 x1000W = 4500W

Current rating for 40°C (104°F) = 28 x 0.94 = 26.32 Amp.

Actual Voltage drop for 35 feet = (7 x 35/100) x (24.5/28) = 2.1V

And Allowable voltage drop = (2.5 x 220)/100 = 5.5V

Example 2 … (SI / Metric / Decimal System)

Load = 5.8kW = 5800W

Current = I = P/V = 5800 / 230 = 25.2A

20% additional load current = (20/100) x 5.2A = 5A

Total Load Current = 25.2A + 5A = 30.2A

Current rating for 35°C (95°F) = 31 x 0.97 = 30 Amp.

Actual Voltage drop for 35meter =

= (7/1000) x 30×35 = 7.6V

And Allowable voltage drop = (2.5 x 230)/100 = 5.75V

Actual Voltage drop for 35 meter =

(4.1/1000) x 40×35 = 7.35V = 5.74V

How to Connect a Portable Generator to the Home Supply – 4 Methods

2 lamps each o 1000W and

6 Lamps each of 80W and

Total load of Sub-Circuit 1

= (2 x 1000) + (4 x 80) + (2×120)

= 2000W + 320W + 240W = 2560W

Current for Sub-Circuit 1 = I = P/V = 2560/230 = 11.1A

Total load of Sub-Circuit 2

= (6 x 80) + (5 x 100) + (4 x 800)

= 480W + 500W + 3200W= 4180W

Current for Sub-Circuit 2 = I = P/V = 4180/230 = 18.1A

Total Current drawn by both Sub-Circuits = 11.1A + 18.1A = 29.27 A

Motor load = 10H.P = 10 x 746 = 7460W *(1H.P = 746W)

Current rating for 40°C (104°F) = 23 x 0.97 = 22.31 Amp.

Load factor = 19/23 = 0.826

Actual Voltage drop for 250feet = (5.3 x 250/100) x 0.826 = 10.94V

And maximum Allowable voltage drop = (2.5/100) x 400V= 10V

Actual Voltage drop for 250 feet =

= Volt drop per 100 feet x length of cable x load factor

= (4.1/100) x 250 x 0.826 = 8.46V

And Maximum Allowable voltage drop = (2.5/100) x 400V= 10V

310.60 ARTICLE 310 — CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING

Temperature Rating of Conductor [See Table 310.104(A).]

60°C 75°C 90°C 60°C 75°C

COPPER ALUMINUM OR COPPER-CLAD ALUMINUM

2 95 115 130 75 90 100 2

1 110 130 145 85 100 115 1

1/0 125 150 170 100 120 135 1/0

2/0 145 175 195 115 135 150 2/0

3/0 165 200 225 130 155 175 3/0

4/0 195 230 260 150 180 205 4/0