[RE-wrenches] Ampacity Ratings for Different Conductors

[Glenn Burt]

Okay I have to ask, why wouldn’t you want to stick to code compliant battery cabling?

 

From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> On Behalf Of petertor at pobox.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2020 6:18 PM
To: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Ampacity Ratings for Different Conductors

 

I have been designing a off-grid system that can fit in an outside-accessible compartment with an approximate 24" square footprint and space above about 18" - 24". 

 

I am using two Battle Born LiFePO4 batteries rated at 24 V / 50 Ah, a Cotek pure sine wave inverter with an output power of 4,000 VA , a MorningStar TS-MPPT-60 charge controller, a Victron BMV-712 "coulomb counter" and a Battle Born surge limiter CL500. 

 

The current limiter limits the current to 120 continuous, and 200 A for 30 sec. 

 

I have been able to fit everything in and I am designing the cabling, and here is my problem. 

 

I have one vendor that recommends Ancor brand Tinned Marine Grade Battery Cable. It is "resistant to salt water, battery acid, oil, gasoline, heat, abrasion and ultra-violet radiation. Exceeds UL 1426, ABYC and US Coast Guard Charter boat (CFR Title 46) standards. Highest quality ultra-flexible (Type 3) tinned copper stranding. Vinyl insulation. -50 deg-C to 105 deg-C." 2 AWG is composed of 665 ea 30 AWG stands. 

 

The same vendor has "welding cable" with an EPDM insulation rated at 600 V, water/chemical/grease/abrasion resistant, -50 deg-C to 105 deg-C, "marine grade". Not UL listed. 624 ea 30 AWG strands. 

 

Roughly comparable pricing. 

 

They claim both 2 AWG cables are rated at 210 A. Not sure if this is continuous duty or whether I should derate this for what will be continuous duty. 

 

This is new territory for me, and any help would be appreciated. 

 

Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D. 
President, California Solar Engineering 

 

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