// ENGINEERING UTILITY
DC CABLE SIZING
Don't guess your electrical safety. Use our engineering-grade calculator to determine the exact cable gauge required for your specific load and distance.
CABLE SIZING TOOL
Engineering Utility v1.0.4
This tool calculates the required cross-section (mm²) based on voltage drop. Safety-critical circuits (chargers, heaters) should target a 1% drop. Always round UP to the nearest available cable size.
Calculated Spec
Equivalent to 16 AWG
The 3% Rule
Standard van electrical practice allows for a 3% voltage drop. However, for critical systems like battery chargers (DC-DC) or high-wattage inverters, a 1% drop is recommended to prevent efficiency loss and heat buildup.
One-Way vs Round Trip
When calculating distance, we measure the one-way run. Our tool automatically accounts for the return (negative) cable by doubling the length in the resistance equation.
Metric vs AWG
The UK and Europe use metric sizing (mm²), while many components from the US refer to AWG. Our tool provides both to ensure you source the correct engineering standard.