Are two 4 gauge cables the same as one 2 gauge cable?

Question

im curious to know if using multiple small cables to power my amp is the same or better than using a single big one??

like do three 4gauge wires give more power than one 1/0 gauge wire? or is it worse?

and how do i know if my amp needs more current?? THANKS

Answer 1

Running 2 seperate power cables is fine. In theory the current will split and each cable will carry the same amount of current. In reality, it will not be exact but it will be so friggin close that it doesn't matter!!!

Yes you can run multiple cables, but two lengths of 4ga is going to cost you more than one length of 2ga. Unless you already have the stuff laying around, just get the larger cable. Besides, if you run two seperate cables, you will need to use some sort of distribution block to tie the two cables back together at the amp then have a conductor capable of carrying the current to your amp, or all your heavy cable doesn't mean squat. Less money will be spent in the long run by using one larger cable!

As for how much current a size cable can carry:

14ga = 15A

12ga = 20A

10ga = 30A

8ga = 80A

6ga = 105A

4ga = 140A

2ga = 190A

1ga = 220A

1/0 = 260A

2/0 = 300A

These wire ampacities are according to the NEC (National Electrical Code) and are set for wire to be used in any structure. The wire can actually carry more current than what I have listed, taking consideration that the wire is in an environment that it can be cooled or is in an open-air environment.

If you run two 4ga wire to your amp, you have the ability to supply the amp with 280A of current (by multiplying 140 * 2).

Do you need larger wire running to your amp? Only if you are having a voltage drop at your amp. The idea is to be able to supply the amp with 12V at its maximum current. If you run too small a wire to the amp, as you crank up the volume the ampacity of the wire will be maxed out and your 12V turns into something like 11,10,9... volts and your amp no longer amplifies your tunes.

Answer 2

Electricity will chose the path of least resistance, and having multiple cables will mean that most of the electricity will simply go down just one of the cables. This can lead to overheating.

Do it propperly, and use just the one big cable.

Answer 3

You can have big problems if one of the cables is broken or loses connection somehow. That way all of the current goes down one cable. That is the danger of doing that.

Answer 4

a lot worse actually.

if you think you are gonna get a 2nd amp, go for bigg wire

an 1/0 guage could beat 5 or more 4 guages, because the current would be very accurate. the only time you split ur wire is to go to a diff amplifier that will draw its own current, otherwise ur probably not being accurate with it.

ur amp needs more current if it doesn't stay consistent or if it goes into protection. ask another question, and include statts on ur amplifier like ohm loads and RMS and what fuses are on the side of it