Point of oversized wire?

[BlurredVision 10+ year member]

I see everyone sells oversized wire, but what's the point when what's only contacting the inside of the terminal matters? I don't see the point and see it as wasting money. I can see its use in big 3 or pairing batteries, but normal sized is sufficient too.

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[kmanian 5,000+ posts]

Less voltage drop

 

[BlurredVision 10+ year member]

I get that, but the wire that's only making contract is really useful correct? I could have a wire twice the size of a 0 gauge terminal, but trimming half of it away to make it fit defeats the purpose right?

 

[jockhater2 10+ year member]

I get that, but the wire that's only making contract is really useful correct? I could have a wire twice the size of a 0 gauge terminal, but trimming half of it away to make it fit defeats the purpose right?

no

 

[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

no

^^^

 

[FamousMassacre 10+ year member]

Buy the proper size terminal...

I'd use this for 4/0 MS20659-155 Non-Insulated Ring Terminal L972

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

bigger wire can carry more current over a greater distance. The small length inside the terminal can carry WAY more then the total run....

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

marketing

 

[Joe562MMA 10+ year member]

i dont use "bigger" but i do use thicker not cca the good stuff 1 ah welding wire

transfers current more sufficiently along with less voltage drop & heat distribution but thats not really a big part of it

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

marketing

No, big systems need big wire and lots of it

 

[zako 10+ year member]

If the wire narrows in some sections (like in fuse sections for example), this will not result in a significant voltage drop if the narrower section is short enough. For example, it's entirely ok to run a thick wire to the distribution block and then thinner wires to the actual amplifier. It's not a big deal over couple of ft. I have seen surprisingly high performance amplifiers that just won't accept even a quality 4awg wire, so you have to run 8awg to them. I do think 0awg is just overkill for non-SPL applications. A nice quality 4awg wire, like Knukonceptz Kolosus would be adequate to use all around unless you 're running well over 100amps of power to the sound system with an upgraded alternator.

 

[Staynlean 10+ year member]

omg, some dumb assses itt. Going back to bed

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

No, big systems need big wire and lots of it

so AWG means nothing? AWG sizes were created so we have a uniform sizes of wire across the board. now no one knows what size wire there buying unless they have seen it compared to another wire. now we have companies selling 4 gauge wire that actually 2 gauge but if the sold it as 2 gauge their wire would be considered junk.

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

for some theory on wire sizing and terminal contacts you can look to the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70).

When wire is attached to a ring terminal, the goal is maximum conductivity. You can solder the wire to the ring terminal for better conductivity in car audio but that isn't done in commercial wiring, and we move a lot of power. Consider that DC current is simply the movement of electrons from one valence band to another (for more about valence bands and the materials that are good conductors, consult the periodic table of elements). So at every connection you are trying to maximize the ability for electrons to move from the wire strands to the connector. Compression-fit connectors are very good at achieving this.

NEC also recognizes that the connector itself limits the amount of current you can move through a wire. So the tables are based on three different connector types.

60 deg. C is based on a set screw connection (shove bare wire in and tighten a screw to hold it).

75 deg. C is based on a compression lug with one bolt hole.

90 deg. C is based on a compression lug with two bolt holes (larger/longer).

You may have already guess that the reason they rate on temperature is because NEC cares most about preventing failure. All of the ampacity tables are based on temperature of the wire and temperature of the conductors.

The second reason we increase wire size is due to voltage drop. Voltage drop happens because all wire has resistance per linear foot. Over long distances, the relationship between current and resistance results in a drop in voltage at the end of the wire.

We increase wire size to compensate for temperature and voltage drop. We can run parallel sets or increase wire size. At a certain point it because difficult to work with larger wires. I prefer routing a pair of 4 awg wires over one 1/0 wire.

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

so AWG means nothing? AWG sizes were created so we have a uniform sizes of wire across the board. now no one knows what size wire there buying unless they have seen it compared to another wire. now we have companies selling 4 gauge wire that actually 2 gauge but if the sold it as 2 gauge their wire would be considered junk.

WTF are you talking about? In the CA world it is not accurate since 1/0 car audio wire = 2/0 AWG wire. Which is why I always tell people getting welding wire to get 2/0...

I assume you have never built a high powered system, so maybe to you it is marketing. For those of use who have it's a necessity....