[RE-wrenches] Wire sizing calculator online

Mon Feb 4 09:09:13 PST 2013

Hey Carl;

That's my spread sheet!  Glad it was useful on the other side of the 
world.  William and I have discussed the development of these wire 
sizing spread sheets for years, including adding temp compensation.  I 
recently did a full blown upgrade with current calculations that 
corresponded to NEC 2011, alas that computer was taken, before I ever 
backed it up.  Maybe I should take another stab at it.  I'll incorporate 
your metric info too.  I guess this is what they call "open source" 
development.

Ray Walters
Solarray, Inc.  (now in Denver)

On 2/3/2013 9:48 PM, Carl Emerson wrote:
>
> Hi William,
>
> I am unsure what others refer to, I have used the attached spreadsheet 
> in the past, I think it originates from New Mexico. I have added a 
> reference to cross sectional area.
>
> On the issue if resistance, I wonder how much cable is pure copper 
> these days, we see a lot of cheap cable out of Asia that very likely 
> has additives. I am guessing that one might need to go back to the 
> supplier to be sure of resistance if that were possible.
>
> You will see in the spreadsheet reference to NEC 2005, chapter 9, 
> table 8 -- this is very comprehensive and includes resistance -- among 
> other places, it can be found nicely laid out here...
>
> http://www.buildmyowncabin.com/nec/nec2005_chap9_table8.html
>
> This is good for DC only I believe.
>
> I could ask contacts I have in Germany what they use, I would guess 
> they have it tied down to the last ohm...
>
> Hope this helps
>
> Regards
> Carl Emerson
>
> Carl:
>
> You are very welcome.
>
> I'd be willing to provide a metric chart.  I need some information to 
> get started.  In the US, practices are dictated by our NEC which 
> provides the resistance values for standard wire gauges.  By putting 
> the values in the Code, it gives all parties a reference and 
> (hopefully) avoids arguments about conflicting data.
>
> I downloaded the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice (NZECP 
> 51:2004) and did not find in it any resistance values.  Is this the 
> correct document to look in?  Are resistance values in there and I am 
> just not finding them?  If the values are not in the NZECP, where do 
> professionals in New Zealand look for the resistance values?
>
> There is a slight difference in resistance (impedance) between AC and 
> DC circuits as listed in the NEC.  I used the higher values to allow 
> conformity in all cases.  Let me know if there is a different 
> consideration for AC versus DC in New Zealand.
>
> Do you know what other Metric based nations use for determining wire 
> resistance values?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> William Miller
>
>
> At 04:32 PM 2/3/2013, Carl Emerson wrote:
>
> Hi William,
>
> Just a comment on the spreadsheet.
>
> You have made provision for Centigrade, being friendly to those 
> outside USA.
>
> It would be nice to have reference to wire cross sectional area in mm² 
> as AWG is foreign to lots of folks from outside the US who reference 
> your site.
>
> I must say that your making information freely available over the 
> years has assisted many.
>
> Regards
> Carl Emerson
>
> fcb06a.jpg
>  022 630 9689
> carl at solarking.net.nz <mailto:carl at solarking.net.nz>
>  solarking.net.nz
>  PO Box 305-130,
>  Triton Plaza,
>  Auckland 0757
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:*re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org 
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of 
> *William Miller
> *Sent:* 4 February 2013 12:06 p.m.
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Wire sizing calculator online
>
> Todd:
>
> Thanks for the plug.  The copy you have is outdated.  Here is where 
> you will find the new and improved version: 
> http://millersolar.com/MillerSolar/Resources/_Resources.html
>
> What we created in the Miller Solar wire sizing spreadsheet is an 
> opportunity to compare the voltage drop for all common wire sizes in 
> one view so you can evaluate the tradeoffs for various scenarios.
>
> Questions or comments are appreciated.
>
> William Miller
>
>
>
> At 09:54 PM 2/1/2013, toddcory at finestplanet.com wrote:
>
>
> thank you... this is useful. do you have william millers calculator 
> too? its attached in case you dont.
>
>
>
> todd
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Friday, February 1, 2013 5:23pm, "Solarguy" <ntrei at 1scom.net> said:
>
> I stumbled onto this wire sizing calculator that gives NEC qualified 
> data.
> Wikipedia had a link to it.
> http://www.cablesizer.com/
> Jim Duncan
> North Texas Renewable Energy Inc
> www.ntrei.com <http://www.ntrei.com/>
> NABCEP PV 031310-57
> TECL-27398
> ntrei at 1scom.net <mailto:ntrei at 1scom.net>
> 817.917.0527
> NABCEP Logo
>
>
>
> Sent from Finest Planet WebMail.
>
>
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