Academy | Calculators

CABLE SECTION CALCULATION

With the online section calculator for 100V (and 70V), the recommended cable section for a PA system is simplified. Additionally, it takes into account other parameters, such as conductor conductivity, ambient temperature, or voltage drop/maximum power.

The required data are:

  • Maximum power, which corresponds either to the amplifier or the installed speakers. In case of doubt, it is best to use the amplifier's power, in case speakers are added in the future up to its maximum capacity.
  • Minimum power, which corresponds to the speaker placed at the farthest point in the installation.
  • Minimum distance, where the first speaker is installed.
  • Maximum distance, where the last speaker is installed.

EsquemaCalculadoraSeccioCable

 

Calculator

Línea de altavoces / Línia d'altaveus / Speaker line *
Caída de tensión / Caiguda de tensió / Voltage drop *
Temperatura / Temperature *
Potencia de los altavoces conectados / Potència dels altaveus connectats / Power of the connected speakers 
Potencia total de los altavoces conectados al amplificador o etapa de potencia / Potència total dels altaveus connectats a l'amplificador o etapa de potència / Total power of the speakers connected to the amplifier or power amp
En caso de instalación distribuida, la potencia del altavoz más alejado / En cas d'instal·lació distribuïda, la potència de l'altaveu més allunyat / In case of distributed installation, the power of the furthest speaker
Distancia entre altavoces y amplificador / Distància entre altaveus i amplificador / Distance between speakers and amplifier
Distancia al altavoz más alejado / Distància a l'altaveu més allunyat / Distance to the furthest speaker
En caso de instalación distribuida, distancia al altavoz más cercano / En cas d'instal·lació distribuïda, distància a l'altaveu més proper / In case of distributed installation, distance to the nearest speaker
Sección teórica / Secció teòrica / Theoretical section (mm2)
Sección teórica si todos los altavoces se colocan al final de la línea (caso más desfavorable) / Secció teòrica si tots els altaveus es col·loquen al final de la línia (cas més desfavorable) / Theoretical section if all speakers are placed at the end of the line (worst case)
Sección orientativa en el caso de instalación distribuida de los altavoces. En caso de duda, la recomendación es utilizar el cálculo con la carga al final de la línea.
Secció orientativa en cas d'instal·lació distribuïda dels altaveus. En cas de dubte, la recomanació és fer servir el càlcul amb la càrrega al final de la línia.
Guideline section for distributed speaker installations. When in doubt, it is recommended to use the calculation with the load at the end of the line.

Based on the previous calculation, it is advisable to select one of the standardized metric system sections (usually the higher one). In North American markets, cable sections are typically expressed using the AWG (American Wire Gauge) system. Although there is no exact equivalence between the two, as their specifications regarding section and conductor resistance differ, the following table allows for selecting the correct nominal section in both systems.

0,25 mm2 AWG23 (0,26 mm2)
0,50 mm2 AWG20 (0,52 mm2)
0,75 mm2 AWG18 (0,82 mm2) 
1,00 mm2 AWG17 (1,04 mm2)
1,50 mm2 AWG15 (1,65 mm2)
2,50 mm2 AWG13 (2,62 mm2)
4,00 mm2 AWG11 (4,17 mm2)

As an example, if the calculator for 150 W and 100 m (100 V, 10%, copper and 70º) shows a section of 0.61 mm2, in the metric system we will choose 0.75 mm2 and in the American system AWG18.

Help articles

High impedance | Cable section 100 V

ATTENTION: The results provided by the calculators can only be considered as a quick help and/or initial recommendation and do not replace an acoustic study, which takes into account the architecture, materials, contributions of all speakers according to their location... Consult us and we will advise you.

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