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The following is a basic formula to be used as a guide to determine current
draw. A 50% amplifier efficiency rating is used as an average. Your new
POWERCLASS
™
amplifier is more efficient, other amplifiers will probably
be less. This formula is to be used as a guideline. Using wire of a larger
gauge can only improve the current transfer of your system. Do not use
smaller gauge wire.
Total RMS output x 2 = Total Input Wattage
Total Input Wattage
= Current Draw (in Amps)
Supply Voltage
Example: A
POWERCLASS
™
1800 amplifier has one channel at 400 watts
per channel RMS rating into 4 Ohms. You would use the formula in the
following way:
400W x 2 = 800W
800W
= 66.6A Total current draw.
12V
If the same amplifier is driven into a 2 ohm mono load, double it's 4 Ohm
RMS rating. All
POWERCLASS
™
amplifiers will effectively double their
power at this load.
400W x 2 x 2 = 1600W
1600W
= 133.3A Total current draw.
12V
If you are using more than one amplifier, add up the total current draw
for all of them and choose the appropriate gauge based on the grand total.
Power Wire Calculator
Recommended MINIMUM Gauge
Total Current Draw Length Of Wire To Be Run
( in Amps) Up to 4ft. 4 to 7ft. 7 to 10ft. 10 to 13ft. 13 to 16ft. 16 to 19ft. 19 to 22ft. 22 to 28ft.
0-20 14 12 12 10 10 8 8 8
20-35 12 10 8 8 6 6 6 4
35-50 10 8 8 6 6 4 4 4
50-65 8 8 6 4 4 4 4 2
65-85 6 6 4 4 2 2 2 0
85-105 6 6 4 2 2 2 2 0
105-125 4 4 4 2 2 0 0 0
125-150 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 00
(
NOTE: The ground wire should be the same gauge as the power wire.
6
WIRING
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