If you are dealing with choosing welding cables, then you need to also be knowledgeable in welding cable ampacity, also called its amperage capacity, as well as its current capacity, or amp ratings. This is the maximum amount of electric current a welding cable can conduct safely, so it’s vital to know this when buying 2 AWG welding cable.
Amperage measures how many charged particles are moving past a fixed point in one second. This is the volumetric flow rate through a conductor, and something important to consider when choosing 2 AWG welding cable. The amp rating of welding cable depends on a few different factors, such as length of the cable, insulation temperature rating and the type of machinery it is connected with.
Things Affecting Welding Cable Ampacity
There are many factors that affect welding cable ampacity, including that for 2 AWG welding cable. One of these is the electrical resistance, which is measured in ohms, as well as the insulation temperature rating. When it comes to considerations for electric systems, you need to think about voltage, amperage and resistance. Resistance works like friction between two objects, it resists the flow of the electric charges going through it, and this is called electrical resistance.
So, you will lose more energy in welding cable that has a higher ohm rating if it is transferring electrical power because it has to use more energy to overcome any resistance. Keep that in mind when deciding on whether to choose 2 AWG welding cable for your machine or job. The higher the welding cable’s ohm rating, the lower the amps for running it safely, and the insulation on the wire is also a factor in keeping the protective coating of the wires from melting or overheating.
Cable Length, Cross-Sectional Area, Shape, and Material Affect Electrical Resistance
There are other things that affect the amount of electrical resistance in a circuit. Welding cable is created with strands of copper and is usually round. The cable’s gauge, along with the cross section area of stranded wire and its length affect the cable ampacity.
Additionally, the higher the temperature, the more electrical resistance, and the copper wiring gets much hotter as well. The bottom line is that when you are trying to determine the right 2 AWG welding cable to buy, there are several important factors to take into consideration.
