Line Losses Calculator
Line Losses Calculator
An automatic calculator to work out line losses in DC powered systems
storage | generalIn our article
Minimising Line Losses in RE Systems we looked at how the diameter of
wire (cable) should be selected to ensure that
line losses (i.e. energy lost when the current flowing through a wire heat it up) are kept below
10%.
If you are interested in understanding the equations which are used to make the calculations below, then we recommend you read the article linked to above.
Wire Size Calculator
Enter the peak
charging voltage (volts DC - e.g. 14V to 20V for a 12V rated wind turbine),
wire length (metres), peak
current (Amps), and maximum acceptable
power loss (%, we suggest 10% or lower), and click
Calculate to view the minimum cross sectional area of the wire you should use.
To convert the above wire cross sectional area to
AWG,
mm diameter, or
inch diameter, click here to go to our
Automated AWG Wire Size Converter. Remember to choose a wire with a slightly larger cross sectional area than that recommended above to ensure that power losses are below your maximum acceptable percentage.
Line Losses Calculator
Alternatively use the calculator below to work out the
line losses for a system with a given wire size (diameter measured in mm).
Article Last Modified: 10:31, 8th Mar 2008Comment on this Article
If you have any comments on this article, please email them to
neil@reuk.co.uk.
Recommended Related Articles
People who read this article also enjoyed the following articles:
AWG to Square mm Wire Size ConverterConvert between AWG, inches and mm diameter, and square mm area measures of wire size
Article Last Modified: 06:45, 19th Jul 2008storage | electric circuitMinimising Line Losses in RE SystemsSelect wire of the correct diameter for your renewable energy system
Article Last Modified: 10:32, 8th Mar 2008storage | electric circuitBuilding a WaterwheelThe story of the construction of a DIY waterwheel in the UK
Article Last Modified: 14:16, 6th Jun 2008hydro | educationIntroduction to Water WheelsFind out more about using the power of a waterwheel
Article Last Modified: 10:16, 12th Nov 2008hydroMicro Hydro Simplified GuideA simple guide to small scale hydro power generation ideal for DIY
Article Last Modified: 09:00, 21st Aug 2007hydro | educationElectricity from WaterwheelsHow to generate electricity from a waterwheel
Article Last Modified: 14:12, 27th Mar 2006hydroPermanent Magnet GeneratorBuild a wind or water power system with around a PM Generator
Article Last Modified: 11:44, 21st Jul 2008wind | hydroStoring Wind Power with Compressed AirFind out how wind power can be stored and sold at times of peak demand
Article Last Modified: 07:51, 9th Oct 2009wind | storage | newsCalculation of Hydro PowerWork out how much hydro power can be taken from flowing water with our new online automatic hydro-power calculator
Article Last Modified: 12:47, 10th Mar 2008hydro | educationRainbow Power 300W Hydro Generator300 Watt 12/24 Volt hydro power generators from Rainbow Power
Article Last Modified: 15:09, 25th Jan 2007hydro | shopping