Welding Supply Cables

[Deto1992 5]

Just recently ordered 25 ft of 1/0 gauge from weldingsupply.com for what I thought was a good price. I just received the cable yesterday and Im slightly disappointed because its deffinitely on the skimpy side.

Anyone have any experience with weldingsupply? Im just looking to see if you guys were satisfied with your order.

[Julian 641]

CCA is usualy over done to defeat the resistance..

pure copper = better.

therefore they need less copper to transfer the same amount of power.

[Deto1992 5]

CCA is usualy over done to defeat the resistance..

pure copper = better.

therefore they need less copper to transfer the same amount of power.

Ohh I didnt realize that was the case. I thought that gauge size was based upon diameter of the cable. I guess the fact that the cable is pure copper allows them to reduce the size? Thanks for the help!

[Julian 641]

CCA is usualy over done to defeat the resistance..

pure copper = better.

therefore they need less copper to transfer the same amount of power.

Ohh I didnt realize that was the case. I thought that gauge size was based upon diameter of the cable. I guess the fact that the cable is pure copper allows them to reduce the size? Thanks for the help!

Most cable is oversized making it look like that's the norm. The diameter should be 8.25mm

[Sencheezy 689]

Is there any way you can upload some pics of the wire? I'm curious to see what they look like.

[Deto1992 5]

yea np ill see if I can get some pics up for you later

[Julian 641]

By the way, 8.25 millimeters = 0.32480315 inches.

[Deto1992 5]

yeah I measured it already the copper is almost exactly 8.25mm if not a little more, maybe up to 8.5 mm.

[Sencheezy 689]

By the way, 8.25 millimeters = 0.32480315 inches.

^^ JW, is this a standard? Because I know a few companies try to point out that they exceed the "standard" thread count or what not, JW is this is just a marketing scheme or not? I"ve seen companies like RF do this with their wiring packages.

[Julian 641]

By the way, 8.25 millimeters = 0.32480315 inches.

^^ JW, is this a standard? Because I know a few companies try to point out that they exceed the "standard" thread count or what not, JW is this is just a marketing scheme or not? I"ve seen companies like RF do this with their wiring packages.

Standard..

Strand count is directly related to flexibility and nothing else... IIRC the "Skin effect" ONLY affects AC current, only.

Marketing Scheme at it's best!

Welding cable has plenty of strands and is quite flexible...

that's 2/0 and plenty flexible

[95Honda 486]

Guys, here are few things to remember-

With stranded wire, there is no cross-sectional measurement. It is based (the cross sectional area is comprised of) on individual strand size and count. The diameter is meaningless do to the varying methods of constrution of the conductor. I.E. rope-lay, twisted, etc...

It doesn't matter if it is CCA, aluminum, copper or anything else. The AWG rating is the same. X awg of copper = X awg of CCA as far as the total amount of conductor cross sectional area (and this has nothing to do with the overall diameter).

When you get a CCA cable that is X awg and a welding cable that is the same X awg, they have the exact same cross sectional area, if one appears thicker it is because of the conductor arrangement and individual strand size/count.

Anything from the welding supply places is more than likely true awg.

Aluminum or CCA is a marketing gimmick. Period. Buy it if you are stupid and like to waste money.

Skin effect is only relevent with AC signals.

Higher strand count with DC only improves flexibility.

[Sencheezy 689]

Guys, here are few things to remember-

With stranded wire, there is no cross-sectional measurement. It is based (the cross sectional area is comprised of) on individual strand size and count. The diameter is meaningless do to the varying methods of constrution of the conductor. I.E. rope-lay, twisted, etc...

It doesn't matter if it is CCA, aluminum, copper or anything else. The AWG rating is the same. X awg of copper = X awg of CCA as far as the total amount of conductor cross sectional area (and this has nothing to do with the overall diameter).

When you get a CCA cable that is X awg and a welding cable that is the same X awg, they have the exact same cross sectional area, if one appears thicker it is because of the conductor arrangement and individual strand size/count.

Anything from the welding supply places is more than likely true awg.

Aluminum or CCA is a marketing gimmick. Period. Buy it if you are stupid and like to waste money.

Skin effect is only relevent with AC signals.

Higher strand count with DC only improves flexibility.

Thanks for the info!

[Impious 1,476]

Skin effect is also related to frequency. It's generally not a problem until well outside of the audio bandwidth.