Skip to main content

3 Factors To Take Into Account When Choosing Battery Cables

 When talking about battery management systems of any kind, battery cables are among the most important components. It does not matter if we´re talking about automotive or marine battery cables, they must ensure you always have stable power and prevent battery drain.

This not only means that they have to be properly secured and protected. Size and gauge play a vital role when choosing the right battery cable for your system.

Here are three things you must always bear in mind when selecting and installing your battery cables.

Proper Gauge
Understanding cable gauges can be a problem for many as gauge measurements can be very counterintuitive. During the early days of the cable industry, cables were made out from a strand of iron that needed to be thinned out by passing them through increasingly narrower drawing dice until they were the right diameter. A 0 gauge cable meant that it didn't need to be reduced or gauged, while a 30 gauge cable went through 30 drawing dice until it was thin enough for its intended use.

Using the wrong gauge in your battery system is one of the most common causes of power problems. Using gauges that are too thick will not be able to properly distribute power as diameter affects resistance. If your battery cable is too thin for your requirements there is an increased risk of short circuit and even fire.

The best way to prevent gauge problems is to make amp and gauge charts available for everyone involved in the installation and maintenance process.

Proper Length
In the same way cable diameter affects resistance, so does battery cable length. Voltage progressively drops while traveling through a cable. So, the longer the distance, the lower the voltage. If the cable is too long, the electrical resistance will cause the voltage to drop below usable levels.

When trying to determine the correct length and gauge of your battery cable, take Ohm´s Law into account: Voltage drop (V) equals current in amperes (I) times the resistance expressed in Ohm (R), or V=IR.

Consider that thinner wires always have a higher voltage drop rate than shorter but thicker wires. Make sure you and everyone involved take the time to calculate and select the correct battery cable gauge and length.

Strand Count
First, we must understand the difference between cables and wires. A wire is a single conductor, usually made of copper, which can be bare and twisted or be a single thick strand that is difficult to bend. A cable is a group of wires bundled together and insulated.

The strand count inside your battery cable will affect its flexibility: the higher the strand count, the higher its flexibility. Marine battery cables, for example, need to be flexible enough to be driven through narrow spaces and corridors and also provide increased stability under the harsh conditions of a rocking boat.

If you are not sure which gauge, length, or type of battery cable you need, or if you are looking for high-quality battery cables, visit EWCS Wire and check out their incredible variety of wires and electrical components.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Common Questions About Security and Alarm Cables, Answered

Not sure which type of security or alarm cable your facility or system needs? Hopefully, these answers to common questions can help! What cable is used for alarm systems? Security and alarm systems are usually wired with small-gauge wire specifically designed for the purpose. For instance, many security systems are wired with 12 and 18 AWG gauge alarm wire, as these low-voltage applications do not necessarily require larger, heavier wires. However, larger or wire gauges may be required depending on the circumstances. Also, there are some unique requirements for some systems. For instance, fire alarm cables must be made with specific insulation that is heat resistant and which does not produce toxic smoke when burned. What gauge cable do you need for alarm systems? Only your specific system requirements can answer that question, but often large wire gauges (that is, smaller wires) are used as security and alarm cables because of the low-voltage, low-current application. What is ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Marine Battery & Cable Maintenance

Your boat’s battery is necessary to start the engine, power the electrical system, including lights and navigation, and much more. For boats powered by a trolling motor, it i the only power source for the vessel. Without it, you would be dead in the water. With that said, here are some high-level ways to take care of your marine battery and cables. Protect and Clean the Terminals The easiest aspect of marine battery maintenance is to keep the terminals clean. Over time, discharge will exude from the terminals, and this corrosion can damage the battery and make it difficult to establish a solid electrical connection. Use a solution of warm water and baking soda with a battery terminal brush or a steel wire brush to scrub them clean from time to time. Then, apply some dielectric grease to the terminals. A thin coating will help prevent water ingress and almost entirely prevent corrosion. Keep the Battery Charged A fully charged battery will last longer than one that is fully...
Post a Comment
Read more

Qualities to Look for in Good 10 AWG Marine Primary Wire

Regardless of your level of experience as a mariner, you are likely to have improvements you’d like to make to your boat. Whether these improvements come in the form of a new radio, a cutting-edge fish-finder, or a more personalized control panel, each one will require some electrical work in order to bring power from your boat’s battery to the system. For this, you are likely to require at least some length of 10 AWG marine primary wire . Choosing good quality wire, however, can be difficult if you don’t know exactly what to look for. In this blog, we will help you know exactly what to look for to ensure you get the wire you need. 1. Quality Insulation When shopping for 10 AWG marine primary wire, the most important characteristic of good wire is quality insulation. With marine electrical systems, it is remarkably important that moisture, salt, and minerals are kept completely separate from the copper that makes electrical systems possible. This is achieved with mar...
Post a Comment
Read more