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Wire gauge for leds

Forzzark

Oct 5, 2020
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Hello all,
Im creating a project with a pi zero and 155 ws2812b led strips. I have all the components, but im not sure what wire gauge I should use since the wire will run for 15-20 feet between the PSU and leds.

Components:
Pi Zero W
5v 10A psu
Ws2812B (about 155 leds)

Im expecting the leds to pull around 9.5A and they are 5v, what wire gauge SHOULD i pick so I dont have voltage drops or heating/fire problems?

If this is a bad forum for this topic please refer me to a better one.
 

Harald Kapp

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Nov 17, 2011
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There are charts like this where you can find the minimum required wire gauge for a given amperage.
AWG11 from this table is goof for max. 12 A. At 1.26 Ω/1000 ft the resistance will be ~0.05 Ω (note that this is back and forth, therefore twice the value of a single wire), resulting in a voltage drop of V = 0.05 Ω × 9.5 A = 0.5 V. Acceptable in my view. If you wish for less voltage drop, chose thicker wire and do the math.
 

Forzzark

Oct 5, 2020
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Ive also found this type tables for
There are charts like this where you can find the minimum required wire gauge for a given amperage.
AWG11 from this table is goof for max. 12 A. At 1.26 Ω/1000 ft the resistance will be ~0.05 Ω (note that this is back and forth, therefore twice the value of a single wire), resulting in a voltage drop of V = 0.05 Ω × 9.5 A = 0.5 V. Acceptable in my view. If you wish for less voltage drop, chose thicker wire and do the math.
I've found this table for 12v leds... Is this applicable to 5v? Does the voltage make any difference?
 

Bluejets

Oct 5, 2014
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Have no idea what that chart refers to...better to stick with the link Harald supplied.

The voltage supplied makes no difference, just the voltage drop (required value) over a given length of a given size cable at a given current.
Compare this to the supply voltage as a percentage and if within an acceptable level, you're done.
Otherwise move to a lower resistance per meter cable.
 
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