5
Wire Size
Most people understand the importance of a clean signal source for
good soun d reproduction. But, what about your 12 volt power source? It’s
often surprising how many people (even professional car sound people) will
obsess about signal wire but routinely provide the amp only a fra ction of the
current it needs to do its job. The most common wire gauge used in car
audio is 10-gauge. The most common location for amplifiers is in the trunk.
Take a look at the chart below. If you want to have any respectable
amount of power for your amp, you need an 8-guage wire to the trunk as a
bare minimum. If you want enough power to drive woofers, your going to
need at least a 4-gauge wire to the rear.
Lets just look at a fairly small system. If you use an i-Force 250 (25
amps) for the highs and an i-Force 21 00 (40 amps) for the woofers, you
need at least a 4-gauge wire to provide 65 amps at the trunk. Anything less
and your car won’t go boom. It’ll just go Blap !
It takes lots of current to make lots of power!
And remember! An electrical circuit is just that…a circuit. For current
to travel, you must complete the circuit from the positive terminal to the
negative terminal. Whatever you use for p ower (B+) you must also use for
Ground (B-). 4-gauge power…4-gauge ground!
So! Use this chart! Add up your fuses and c hoose your wire to
match the total maximum current draw. And always use the same gauge for
the main ground as you do for main power.
Length of Run
Current Demand
0- 4 - 7 - 10 - 13 - 16 - 19 - 22 -
4 Ft 7 Ft 10 Ft 13 Ft 1 6 Ft 19 Ft 22 Ft 28 Ft
0 - 20 amps 14 12 12 10 10 8 8 8
20-35amps 12108866 6 4
35-50amps 1088664 4 4
50-60amps 886444 4 2
65-85amps 664422 2 0
85-105amps 664222 2 0
105-125amps 444220 0 0
125-150amps 222200 0 0
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