Wire size?
Just making sure, low power LED strip less than 5ft, and the power wire is less than 3ft long. Can I use 20 gauge wire for the 12 volt power and ground? I don't believe the LEDs will draw more than an amp IF even that much
Forum Discussion
suprz wrote:
Just making sure, low power LED strip less than 5ft, and the power wire is less than 3ft long. Can I use 20 gauge wire for the 12 volt power and ground? I don't believe the LEDs will draw more than an amp IF even that much
Short answer: YES
long answer It might be "overkill"
But to be sure.. measure the voltage at both ends of the wire. I'd not worry about 1 volt loss or less.suprz wrote:
At the point that you connect the #20 wire to the positive battery supply.time2roll wrote:
On the power IN, or the power out?
s/b fine. Consider a 5 amp fuse on the branch circuit.2oldman wrote:
I can't find a single ampacity chart that rates a 20awg wire. What is that, speaker wire? Anyway, it'll be ok, but don't put anything else on it.
CHART
20 AWG will work fine. My under cabinet lights in S&B is 8'6" and running on a 2 amp ps and #20 wire.- Power in.
time2roll wrote:
s/b fine. Consider a 5 amp fuse on the branch circuit.
On the power IN, or the power out?- s/b fine. Consider a 5 amp fuse on the branch circuit.
- I can't find a single ampacity chart that rates a 20awg wire. What is that, speaker wire? Anyway, it'll be ok, but don't put anything else on it.
- 20 gauge is awfully small for multiple lights.
