How to Pick the Correct Marine Wire Size and Ampacity

Marine wire is exceedingly useful if you own a boat. It has many uses, and it’s more than likely you’ll need some for a component on your boat if you own a watercraft for an extended period of time. However, if you’re not an experienced boat owner, you may be unaware that there are different sizes and ampacity ratings for boat wires.

For instance, some sections of the boat’s electrical system may require 2-gauge marine wire, while others might need something else. If you use the wrong size or ampacity of wire, you risk a short circuit, a fire, or another equally dangerous situation.

In this article, we’ll discuss how you can pick the right size and ampacity of marine wire.

Look at the Manual for the Boat

Just like virtually any other kind of vehicle, a boat will come with an owner’s manual. If you don’t know much about all things nautical prior to purchasing a boat, it definitely behooves you to read that manual.

One of the things it will tell you is what size and ampacity of marine wire should be used for the boat’s various components. This is the first place to look if you are ever faced with this decision.

Ask an Expert

The other thing you can do is to speak to an expert. Someone who works in a marina or at a boating supply store can help you in this area if you’re at all unsure about which size or ampacity of marine wire you need.

Look Up the Answer Online

Failing that, one other thing you might do is to look up the answer online. Googling the particular component you need a marine wire for and the boat you have should reveal the answer. However, you will want to double check the results with someone knowledgeable before moving forward with the replacement.

Other Considerations

There are also some fundamental rules you can follow that should put you on the right track when replacing a marine wire, regardless of the kind of boat you have or why you need that wire. In regards to ampacity, if a piece of equipment needs more current, it will require a larger wire. This is a universality you can always count on.

You can also look at what the American Boat and Yacht Council recommends. They are considered to be the authorities in these matters. For lights and similar equipment, they normally tell you to go with a minimum of a 16 AWG wire gauge.

You need wire that will withstand the environmental conditions you would expect to have on a boat. That means you must take humidity, high heat, and the corrosiveness of the environment into consideration.

Finally, you must only use wires that are specifically labeled as “marine grade.” This is not something you can ever compromise on. If you think a wire looks good enough but it’s not labeled marine grade, installing it can create a dangerous situation for you and everyone else aboard.

 

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