Automotive Battery Cable Size Chart

For very long cables for example 15 foot long battery cables to relocate your battery go one size larger.

Automotive battery cable size chart.

Going up a size or 2 is worth it in the long run. The manufacturers make stock battery cables as small as possible but still get the job done. I recommend building cables larger than stock. Choose a higher ambient temperature when conductors are expected to pass through.

In summary when selecting the correct size of battery cable you need to take into account the total maximum amperage your electrical system requires the voltage of your system usually 12 volts the total length that your cables need to be and the amount of voltage drop you are willing to accept versus the amount you want to spend. Battery cable is used to power your electrical system and is sized according to the american wire gauge or awg for short specification for electrically conductive cables. Most of the cost is the ends and labor. So you now have a cross sectional area for your cable.

Outside engine compartments the ambient temperature should generally be 20 c. Choosing the correct gauge automotive wire depends on the acceptable voltage drop length of the feeder branch circuit conductor load amperage and the ambient temperature of the compartment where the primary wire will pass through. Our battery cable is american made and comes in gauge awg sizes of 6 4 2 1 1 0 2 0 3 0 and 4 0 with 6 gauge being the smallest and 4 0 gauge being the largest. Now choose the next largest cable size from the table below.

Mm which is 12 awg. Mm cable then go up to 3 3 sq.