Wire gauge amp chart 24v12/1/2023 What changes is the amount of voltage that is lost in the wire. In longer lengths, the wire current capacity does not change. In a bundle, it takes less current to melt the insulation than as a separate wire. This cannot be exceeded, but even this is dependent on conditions. First (and most critical) is what current will begin to compromise (as in melt) your insulation. The rating of wire size is somewhat subjective. Thus your 50 amp breaker will likely trip between 75 and 100 amps (if the current lasts for several seconds.)Ģ. Most circuit breakers are calibrated to trip (open) at 1.5 to 2 times rating. Several pieces of info that may be of interest.ġ. I would be inclined to agree with Silvertip. People don't realize the relationship between the circuit and the load or loads it must feed. Confusing? Yes it is and that's why houses burn down. If you install a 50A breaker, that would protect the motor but you have again selected a breaker inappropriate for that length of 8 gauge wire. If locked rotor current is higher than that, the breaker would protect the motor. Remember, the breaker would not open unless the motor was drawing more than 40 amps. If my assumption is close on current draw for your 24V motor, a 40A breaker, 8ga wire, and a 38 foot run would work but be at the very high end of the 2% acceptable voltage drop limit. The reason you had a 50A breaker before is the current draw of 12V motor is higher than a 24V motor. Installing a 50A breaker would be incorrect for the current carrying capacity of that length of 8 gauge wire so the wire would heat before the breaker opens. However, that 34 amps may not be at locked rotor (stalled motor which would be higher). I'm going to guess that your 24V motor draws somewhere between 29 and 34 amps maximum. That maximum number means the breaker should be 40A maximum for a 38 foot run. Runs of just a couple feet, 8 gauge wire can handle 55 amps at 95 degrees C. The ampacity chart I checked shows #8 wire can handle 40 amps at up to 23 feet which is far short of the 38 foot round trip you have. Yes - but again, if the motor at maximum current draws more than the wire is capable of handling you still have melted wires. Any overload may cause the damage you had. your motor may have overload protection built in. Without doing the research for you, I think 8 gauge wire is fine and 40 amp breaker is sufficient. Regardless what that rating is, the wire you use must also be able to handle that current. You then install a circuit breaker that is only slightly higher than that maximum current rating. The MinnKota web site is the place to find that info. You need to find what the maximum current rating is for the motor you have. Forget the 60A breaker - on 24 volts you don't need that high a rating. So if 50 amps of current passed through those wires the wires would melt and catch fire before the 60 amp circuit breaker would open. As was pointed out, 8 gauge wire is not capable handling 60 amps of current. It is installed at the battery and its purpose is to protect the circuit - not necessarily anthing that circuit feeds (in this case the motor). You really need to understand why a breaker is installed and where it is installed. So do you think 8 gauge with a 60amp breaker will be ok for my new 24v trolling motor? I would run 6 gauge but looks almost impossible to route to the back of the boat. I also purchased the 60amp breaker from minnkota. I just dont want to damage my new 80lb motor. When I stopped to make a few cast and go again, it turned a few times and was dead. I was trolling on high for awhile and going through some weeds. My question is, do you think the 8 gauge wire was part of that problem? I know its hard to say what the other owner of that motor put it through. I didnt know I could possibly fix it(figured it was dead) and ordered a brand new maxxum 80lb 24v hand controlled that will be here tomorrow. I took it apart and saw that the brushes had heated up so bad they melted the plastic around them on the brush plate, had to force them loose with a screwdriver. I put a used 70lb thrust 24v minnkota on it I got from ebay. First thing I did was ditch the 12v foot controlled trolling motor since I like hand controlled with foot switches. I just bought a new Bass Tracker pro19 bass boat.
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