cap math?

**Fusion-One** · 07-26-2006, 10:28 AM

Isn't there some law I'm sorta half remembering? The skin effect, I think it was called. Where in high current situations, electricity tends to flow more around the outside of a wire, with less and less current passing through wires as you get closer to the center? I'm not sure why this happens.. I mean, from a temperature standpoint the wires around the outside would be cooler, and offer less resistance.. but is that all there is to it?

The exposed circumfrence of 4gauge wire is ~16.328mm, so with 3 runs it's ~49mm of exposed wire (by exposed, I mean outer layer of strands.) The exposed circumfrence of 0 gauge is ~25. So the 3 runs of 4 gauge offer twice the effective circumfrence of the 0 gauge. Now I don't know if it's a heat disipation factor that causes the skinning effect, but it's something that should be considered in figuring the current carrying capability of a wire, right?

Can anyone clairify on this?

**RedGTiVR6** · 07-26-2006, 10:29 AM

maybe you';re not understanding - I'm currently running 1/0 power and ground to hte back of my car. I know that it IS possible. However, you can't deny the fact that 4 awg is EASIER to bend, move, work with, than 1/0. Which is precisely what my statement was refering to.

**Mandos** · 07-26-2006, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Fusion-One

Isn't there some law I'm sorta half remembering? The skin effect, I think it was called. Where in high current situations, electricity tends to flow more around the outside of a wire, with less and less current passing through wires as you get closer to the center? I'm not sure why this happens.. I mean, from a temperature standpoint the wires around the outside would be cooler, and offer less resistance.. but is that all there is to it?

The exposed circumfrence of 4gauge wire is ~16.328mm, so with 3 runs it's ~49mm of exposed wire (by exposed, I mean outer layer of strands.) The exposed circumfrence of 0 gauge is ~25. So the 3 runs of 4 gauge offer twice the effective circumfrence of the 0 gauge. Now I don't know if it's a heat disipation factor that causes the skinning effect, but it's something that should be considered in figuring the current carrying capability of a wire, right?

Can anyone clairify on this?

Skin effect is generally speaking only applicable to high frequency information like tweeters.

And Red...I don't remember what it's like to run 4 awg

**RedGTiVR6** · 07-26-2006, 10:48 AM

heh - neither do i, neither do i

**Shadow** · 07-26-2006, 02:57 PM

My Stinger HPM 1/0 is ridiculously flexible. Most of the flexibility of the wire has to do with the flexibility of its insulation and how many strands there are.

**RedGTiVR6** · 07-26-2006, 03:02 PM

Yes, but Stinger HPM at retail is WAYY out of range for a lot of people...

**red_parchel** · 07-26-2006, 05:09 PM

a LOT of stingers stuff at retail is WAY out of range for a lot of people ...

alternator

**Shadow** · 07-26-2006, 06:22 PM

I got it for $3/foot I think. It's been a long time.

**RedGTiVR6** · 07-26-2006, 08:12 PM

$3 x 17' (average) = $51 + tax. That's a good chunk of change + terminals + fuse holders and fuses + etc.

When the guy already has the stuff for the 4 awg

**Shadow** · 07-26-2006, 08:34 PM

I wasn't saying he should go buy some. Just saying I got a killer deal and that it was really bendy

The damn terminals were like $10 apiece. Tsunami Lok-nut and Stinger Centerpin. Didn't have to worry about 'em coming off or giving a bad connection though.