Ametek Sorensen Asterion DC Series, Operation Manual

Page: 66 / 157

Installation Asterion DC Series
2-28
Size Temperature Rating of Copper Conductor
AWG
60°C 75°C 90°C
Types: TW, UF
Types: RHW,
THHW, THW,
THWN, XHHW,
USE, ZW
Types: TBS, SA,
SIS, FEP, FEPB,
MI, RHH, THHN,
THHW, XHH,
XHHW
Current Rating, A(RMS)
18
− −
14
16
− −
18
14 15 20 25
12 20 25 30
10 30 35 40
8 40 50 55
6 55 65 75
4 70 85 95
3 85 100 115
2 95 115 130
1 110 130 145
0 125 150 170
00 145 175 195
000 165 200 225
0000 195 230 260
Table 2-7. Minimum Wire Size
When determining the optimum cable specification for your power applications, the
same engineering rules apply whether at the input or output of an electrical device.
Therefore, this guide applies equally to the input cable and output cable for this
power source and application loads. Power cables must be able to safely carry
maximum load current without overheating or causing insulation degradation. It is
important to power source performance to minimize IR (voltage drop) loss within the
cable. These losses have a direct effect on the quality of power delivered to and from
the power source and corresponding loads.
When specifying wire gauge, consider derating due to operating temperature at the
wire location. Wire gauge current capability and insulation performance drops with
the increased temperature developed within a cable bundle and with increased
environmental temperature. Therefore, short cables with derating of gauge size and
insulation properties are recommended for power source applications.
Be careful when using published commercial utility wiring codes. These codes are
designed for the internal wiring of homes and buildings and accommodate the safety
factors of wiring loss, heat, breakdown insulation, aging, etc. However, these codes
consider that up to 5% voltage drop is acceptable. Such a loss directly detracts from