What WIRE GAUGE SIZE for amplifier install? How to calculate!

When we install a car audio system with an amplifier we need to properly choose the right wire size gauge for our power and ground wires. The calculation for power and current is easy! Let's learn how to choose our wire gauge for our amps and find out if we need to use 8 gauge, 4 gauge, or 0 gauge (or maybe even larger!)

🔊 Wire, Connections and more with show sponsor KnuKonceptz!

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Car Audio Fabrication – Master Car Audio – Design, Build, Install

[CarAudioFabrication]

😎 Enjoy this video? Here are some other related videos to this topic:

[ryleighrukovska]

I never realized how insanely something mundane like audio wires could be so expensive but also so very vital 😭

[Strykenine]

Great to hear you talk about Ohms law - it's the basis of every electrical system on the planet. My electronics instructor was retired USAF and he did a great job teaching me. It's good to see someone paying it forward Mark!

[travisabrahamson]

I used knukonceptz 0 gauge cca kit to wire up my 1200 watt rms amp to run 4 kenwood excelon 10's .
After watching videos from CAF I was convinced I made the wrong decision.
Then I watched the video about checking voltage drop.
I have 0.03 voltage drop between battery and amp. 14.48 at battery and 14.45 at amplifier. Now I am convinced that as long as you over size the cca it is all good 😎

[klay]

Would have loved to see you go over picking wire when your amperage exceeds 300. Knuconcepts offers 4/0, when would you want to switch over to that size. I know the amount of people pushing an excess of 300 amps is low but there are some and the information on picking wire size at this level simply isn't there.

[Knackersjewels]

That chart is exactly what I've been looking for, thanks so much

[jeweldey]

Loved the vid! Really good information for building a car audio system. Thanks!
Been putting in audio systems in my cars since the late 80’s. Would love to see a video about adapters for steering wheel controls for aftermarket head-units.
That's a challenge I didn't have back in the day.

[TurboD]

First off. Your videos have made me into a better car audio guy. I have learned more from your videos and discussion than reading the text books about car audio I have, thanks. I do have a question about choosing the right OFC Copper wire. I wanted to know, in your opinion, how many strands of wire should a 4 gauge wire have and what is the highest amount that is on the market by brand if such exists? I am presuming that more strands equal more flow regardless if it is pure copper already. I ask because I saw two versions once and wasn't sure if it matter. Your example in this video pretty much applies to my amplifier at 2 ohms running 800 watts RMS. Thanks!

[Zwakkie]

what i have learned at school is that p = u x i. p stands for watts, u stands for volts and i stands for power. It’s the same thing in this case 😊👍🏻

[Gus]

Just about to start wiring in a couple of amps, a DSP etc. this is really helpful - thank you!!!

[frankg]

Awesome info. Just bought my amp kit with knuKonceptz.

[foodchainlures]

You saved me money again Mark. I’m using a JL Audio HD 1200 and an Alpine PDX f4 drawing 150 amps total. I have approximately an 8’ run of 4 gauge OFC power wire running into a distribution block splitting to less than 2’ of 4 gauge to the JL and about 2’ of 8 gauge OFC to the Alpine. According to your chart, I’m good to go. I’m in the process of revamping my system, and I’ve been watching many of your videos. You are a great teacher with an impeccable work ethic. Keep up the great work!

[gagiudaniel]

Hi! Just bought a Ford Fiesta 2019 and I would love to see a system build on this car!

[Hoppysjunkyardrally]

Excellent Video!! by far the best explanation on this subject i have watched!

[leviwright]

Wait so the amp I'm running is a Pioneer gm-d9701 its a 1 channel mono block that's 2400W max, I'm running sub's at 2 ohms and if I do this equation at 800w RMS (which is what mine is rated at 2 ohms) Then I get 76 but the amp itself has 3x 40 amp fuses which equals to 120 amps

[ccvideotech]

Props for the clarification of the look of the wire at the end. Many will have jumped to conclusion... are you just trying to drive heated comments from people that don't watch till the end.😉

[codydagoat]

You should always use 0 gauge wire for speaker wire, power, ground, remote, and even special order 0 gauge RCAs. This is only minimum

[PANTYEATR]

the way i choose my power wire (which i know now is incorrect) is by looking at the terminal size of the amplifier. then i buy the wire that fits that terminal or hole correctly. thanks for the vid💪

[longonponce]

Question! Im new to car audio and this is my DYI for my wife 2008 MDX. Installing BOSS mono 1200W and BOSS 4 channel 1100w
1. Running 0g power wire to distribution 1in-2out, NOW can I down size from 0g to 4g or 8g after distribution?
2. Do I REALLY need distribution block for grounding two amps? OR can both amps have they OWN ground

Thank you for your videos! I have a electrical background working for a manufacturing company working on automation robots, but this audio stuff is so different lolol PLEASE more educational videos!!

[matthewJ]

OFC is tinned. Yes because it is coated all the way through as opposed to the copper turning exactly green or rust corrosion that has that dirty brown nasty copper color. Great video 👍