This then needs to be multiplied by 2 in order to get the diameter of the wire, so our end answer would be 0.024 inches. To get this radius into inches, we will multiply it by 39.37. We then need to find the square root of this answer, which will be 0.000297. To find the wire’s radius in meters, we will first have to divide our above answer by pi. Next, we get the wire’s cross-sectional area by dividing our answer by our target resistance. In this case, we will say that it has to be at least 50 meters long.ĥ0 x 1.724 x 10^-8 = 8.62 x 10^-7 ohm square meters. We are going to assume that the cable you are purchasing is made out of copper, as that is the most common material for solar panel wiring.Ĭopper has a resistivity of 1.724 x 10^-8 ohm meters at room temperature, and you will have to multiply this by the meters that the wire needs to be. ![]() This means that 17.6/5.68 = 3.09 ohms, which is the resistance that will occur for this solar panel. To work out the target resistance, we will use ohm’s law which states that V = IR. This solar panel has a voltage at the maximum power of 17.6V, and a current at the maximum power of 5.68A. We will be working with the Inergy Linx 100 Watt Flexible Solar Panel, available from Shop Solar Kits. ![]() Manually Calculating Wire Gauge for a 100 Watt Solar PanelĪs an example, we will calculate the wire gauge needed for the wire that runs between a single 100-watt solar panel and a 12V battery bank. This means that our gauge wire needs to be big enough to safely handle these two measurements. If you look at the Inergy Linx 100 Watt Flexible Solar Panel, available from Shop Solar Kits, you will see that the voltage at maximum power (Vm) is 17.6V, and the current at maximum power (Im) is 5.68A. These variables include the voltage of the system, the maximum amperage that will be produced by your solar panel, and the distance between the batteries and the solar panels, or between the batteries and charge controller.ĭifferent wire gauges can only handle a certain amount of voltage and amperage, which is why it is important to look at the specifications of your solar panel as your starting point. Three main variables need to be considered when calculating the wire gauge required for your solar array. Variables and Parameters to Focus on When Calculating Wire Gauge This is more tedious, but we will go through this method too, in case it is your preferred option.ĭespite the option used to calculate wire gauge, the same variable will be used in both.īelow we will take you through what those variables are. All you need to do is input certain variables, that we will speak about shortly, into a calculator and it provides an estimate almost instantaneously.Īnother way to calculate wire gauge is through a manual equation. The easiest way to calculate it is by using an online calculator made specifically for wire gauge estimation. There are various different ways that you can calculate what wire gauge you will need for your 100-watt solar panel. You will have to look at your 100-watt solar panel specifications, figure out what size battery for a 100 watt solar panel, and look at the requirements of your array as a whole to do so. The wire gauge needs to be calculated in accordance with your solar array. When calculating wire gauge, there is not necessarily a “one size fits all” for 100-watt solar panels. How to Calculate the Wire Gauge Needed for a 100-Watt Solar Panel In this article, we will be discussing how to calculate what size wire gauge you need for your specific solar array, the reason why the wire size is so important, as well as what gauge of wire is most appropriate for a 100-watt solar panel. ![]() It may seem like “just a little wire”, but correctly sized wires are imperative for not only the performance of your solar array but for your own safety, too. ![]() You might not think so, but the gauge of the wires you use for your solar panel array plays a crucial role in the running of your solar system.
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