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Cable Sizing Calculator

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NEC/IEC Standards Compliant

NEC 2023IEC 60364
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Electrical Parameters

Installation Conditions

Cable Sizing Result

Recommended Cable Size

4 mm²
Ampacity: 35 A (after derating)
Voltage Drop
2.15% (4.7V)
Power Loss
105.0 W
Derating Factor
100%
Efficiency
97.9%

Alternative Cable Sizes

2.5 mm²(25 A, 3.44% drop)
Does not meet requirements
6 mm²(50 A, 1.43% drop)
Higher safety margin, lower voltage drop

Calculation Steps

1.

Continuous load factor: 20 A × 1.25 = 25.0 A

2.

Temperature derating (30°C at 75°C): 1.000

3.

Grouping derating (1 cables): 1.000

4.

Installation method factor: 1.000

5.

Total derating factor: 1.000

6.

Required ampacity (before derating): 25.0 / 1.000 = 25 A

7.

Selected cable size (ampacity): 2.5 mm² (25 A before derating)

8.

Single-phase voltage drop: Vd = 2 × I × R × cos(φ=0.9) = 2 × 20 × 0.2100 × 0.9 = 7.56 V

9.

ℹ️ Power factor 0.9 applied to voltage drop calculation

10.

Voltage drop percentage: 3.44%

11.

Power loss: 168.00 W

12.

⚠️ Voltage drop 3.44% exceeds limit 3% - larger cable needed!

13.

Upgraded to 4 mm² to meet voltage drop requirement

Cable Sizing Guidelines

NEC Requirements:
  • Branch circuits: Max 3% voltage drop
  • Feeders: Max 3% voltage drop
  • Total: Max 5% from service to load
  • Continuous loads: 125% of rated current
Derating Factors:
  • Temperature: Higher ambient = lower ampacity
  • Grouping: More cables = more heat = lower ampacity
  • Installation: Enclosed = less cooling = lower ampacity