High Current Cable

 

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Author Message
Gary Cairns
Unregistered guest
Posted on Tuesday, December 6, 2005 - 9:37 am:    Edit Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I am looking for cable that will be able to handle currents of up to 200Amps continuous. Do you have anything suitable or can you recommend something suitable?

For this application would it be ok to take 2 wires that can take 100amps and connect them both to each terminal ie give the current 2 paths?
Admin (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin

Post Number: 97
Registered: 10-2004
Posted on Tuesday, December 6, 2005 - 10:12 pm:    Edit Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hello Gary,

A quick check on our website shows that the largest cable we stock is 16mm2 with a current rating of 91A continuous. Assuming your application is for combat robots, 16mm2 is quite commonly used for the main battery leads with peak current demands of over 200A.

Large cables are also not too flexible although specialist types are available. Personally I prefer to use multiple cables in parallel of a smaller cross sectional area. I use three 6mm2 cables in parallel with an effective current rating of 159A continuous which can easily cope with peak current demands of well over 200A. Ideally do not bunch multiple parallel cables to achieve maximum heat dissipation to the surrounding air. Bunching will result in the cable rating being derated but for short high current demands, you may well find this not to be an issue.