Wire Size Calculator

Wire gauge measures how large a wire is. The gauge is figured from either the area of the wire's cross section or its diameter. The size determines how much current an electrical wire can carry. An electrical wire size calculator is used to determine the size of the wire needed to complete a given circuit safely. To properly calculate the conductor wire size, you need to define the value of .

A wire size calculation gives a very easy and fast solution to the problem of calculating the size of wires and cables for various electrical applications, including pump applications in golf courses, agriculture, and landscape projects. Both the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local codes have requirements that have to be followed. The wire size calculation uses one formula for single-phase circuits and a different formula for three-phase circuits. A general rule of thumb on this is that if a circuit is loaded to ampacity and the distance to load is approximately 100 feet, a larger wire size will be required.The calculation requires several pieces of information. First, one needs to know the number of phases. Typically, this is single-phase or three-phase. Second, one needs to know the source voltage, which refers to the amount of voltage from the electrical source. This is typically 120, 240 or 480 volts. Third, one needs to know the number of amperes that the load will draw. This information should come from the manufacturer of the equipment in question. The NEC includes tables to determine current for both single-phase and three-phase circuits in motors. Finally, there is a place in the calculation to enter a voltage drop, though care must be taken to ensure that the wire size is ultimately calculated in accordance with the NEC. The NEC allows no greater than a 3% voltage drop on the main branch of the circuit and no more than a 5% total drop to both feeders and branch circuits.The formula used for the calculation is based on Ohm's Law, which states relationships between power (the amount of current times the voltage level measured in wattage), voltage (the difference in electrical potential between two points in a circuit, measured in volts), current (what flows onto a wire or conductor, measured in amperes) and resistance (the amount of current that will flow through a component, measured in ohms).More information can be found about the calculation at http://www.paigewire.com/calculatorinstructions.htm.