People who are only partially familiar with electrics, as a rule, do not attach importance to the cross-section of conductors. Meanwhile, a lot depends on this value, including the safety of the house.
Different cables are designed for different electrical appliances. If you make a mistake at this stage, the consequences can be serious, ranging from melting of the insulation of the wiring, ending with a fire (in the worst case).
The maximum power that cables with a cross section of 1.5 to 4 millimeters can withstand
To calculate the workload as accurately as possible for a cable of a specific cross-section, you can use the following rule:
Copper millimeter wire can withstand no more than 10 Amperes (or about 2 kW).
Using the method of simple calculations, we come to the conclusion that a cable with a cross section of 1.5 millimeters can withstand no more than 3.5 kW. Using the same scheme, you can calculate the power that cables of a different cross section can withstand.
It should be remembered that a network consisting of 3 phases is capable of passing 380 V. Those. indicators of maximum power and operating current will be different.
Also, when choosing a cable, you should take into account what materials it is made of. For example, copper and aluminum conductors can withstand different loads (the former are "hardy").
Rules for calculating operating power for copper cables
- Conductor cross-section 1,5 millimeter can withstand no more 3.3 kW;
- 2,5- millimeter - up to 4.5 kW;
- Conductor cross-section 4 millimeter is able to withstand up to 6 kW.
Note that these values are valid for the standard single-phase network with 220 V.
To make it easier to understand and remember this information, I suggest using the table below.
Moments not to be neglected
When choosing a conductor, you need to rely on 2 main criteria:
- 1. The first is the load that will be transferred to the cable. You should count at least the approximate number of devices that will work from this conductor.
- 2. It is also necessary to choose a circuit breaker with a rating that is as close as possible to the maximum permissible current strength of the cable.
When standard sockets are installed throughout the house, a 2.5 mm copper cable is enough. Such outlets can be used to power an iron, heating device, etc. The only condition: the total power of electrical appliances should not be higher than 3.5 kW (or 16 Amperes).
If you do not plan to connect anything more powerful than lighting devices to the sockets, then a 1.5 mm cable is enough.
The most powerful electrical appliances are cookers. They should be powered using thick cables with a cross section of 4 to 6 millimeters.
By calculating the maximum allowable working load of the cable, you can easily determine for which devices it can be used and for which it is not. You should also not forget about the material of the conductor, take into account how it is laid, etc.
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