WIRE SELECTION
The wiring in an electrical system is important both for safety and for proper operation. The
wiring needs to conform to the NEC (National Electrical Code) in the U.S.A. and any other
regional or local codes or electrical regulations. If there is uncertainty about this, be sure to
check the codes that apply to your installation.
The main considerations are:
• Wire Gauge for Ampacity
To prevent a re, the wire must be capable of handling the maximum possible current without
overheating.
• Wire Gauge for Voltage Drop
The wire needs to have a low enough resistance to avoid excessive voltage drop across its
entire length.
• Stranded or Solid Conductors
Solid copper wire conductors can be used if the wire is not going to move; for permanent
ac wiring this is okay. For the battery cables and dc wiring, stranded conductors are usually
preferable due to exibility and ease of installation with the typically heavier gauge wire that is
used. In some cases, stranded may be needed if the wires are bundled.
• Insulation Rating
The wire’s insulation must have the correct type, voltage rating, and temperature rating for the
application.
Circuit Protection
Each electrical wire in a vehicle or trailer must be protected by a fuse or circuit breaker that will
open before the wire can overheat. The current rating of the fuse or circuit breaker should not
be higher than the ampacity of the wire.
Ground
The inverter needs to be grounded to the vehicle chassis. The electrical code requires that an 8
AWG wire is used for this, since it needs to be able to open the main circuit breaker in case of
a short circuit to ground. See the Inverter Ground Connection section on page 24.
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