1. What is the Paige Wire Size Formula?

The Paige Wire Size formula calculates the minimum cross-sectional area of a conductor needed to maintain acceptable voltage drop over a specified length, given the current and material resistivity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Paige Wire Size formula:

Where:

• \( A \) — Cross-sectional area (m²)
• \( I \) — Current (Amperes)
• \( L \) — Length of conductor (meters)
• \( \rho \) — Resistivity of conductor material (Ω·m)
• \( V_{drop} \) — Acceptable voltage drop (Volts)

Explanation: The formula accounts for both the outgoing and return paths (hence the multiplication by 2) and ensures the voltage drop stays within acceptable limits.

3. Importance of Proper Wire Sizing

Details: Proper wire sizing is crucial for electrical safety, efficiency, and performance. Undersized wires can cause excessive voltage drop, overheating, and potential fire hazards.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter current in amperes, length in meters, resistivity in Ω·m (1.68×10⁻⁸ for copper), and desired maximum voltage drop. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the default resistivity value?
A: The default is 1.68×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, which is the resistivity of copper at 20°C.

Q2: Why multiply by 2 in the formula?
A: The factor of 2 accounts for both the "hot" and "neutral" (or positive and negative) conductors in the circuit.

Q3: What's a typical acceptable voltage drop?
A: For most applications, 3% of the supply voltage is considered acceptable (e.g., 3.6V for 120V circuits).

Q4: Does this account for temperature effects?
A: No, this uses resistivity at standard temperature. For high-temperature applications, adjust resistivity accordingly.

Q5: How do I convert the result to AWG?
A: Use a wire gauge table to find the smallest standard wire size with area equal to or larger than your result.