How many watts can a 8 gauge amp cable handle?

4 Gauge, Amperes question....?

• Hi everyone, In my car, I want to connect my Kole Audio KX1.5500D Amp. I know that it is not a true 3200 Wrms @1 Ohm amplifier. It has 150 Amperes fuses, so it would be something like 1600 Wrms @1Ohm. The problem:My existing power cables are 1 4gauge power line from my battery, going back to the trunk and splitting into 2 other 4gauge cables (I know that it is not correct, but....my ex audio-mechanic was stupid I guess) 1 going to the 4-channel amp, and 1 to the mono amp (currently 1 Soundstorm F1500d 50 amps fuse.) Its time to change the amp to the kole audio because the old one give me only 450 true rms watts @2Ohms (checked with O-scope) so it is not enough for my Kicker L5 15. The question:I know that a 4gauge can handle something like 135 amps.If I put the Kole Audio, and adjust with the oscilloscope so that I take exactly the watts that I want, the load to the cable for the mono amp will be maximum 58 Amperes and the load for the 4-channel will be maximum 36 amperes, so a sum of 94 amperes to the main 4gauge cable that comes from the battery (and I will put an 100Amperes fuse to the battery). Will I have a problem with that connection? I don't want my car to burn in flames.... :-))))). Please help me all.... Thank you.

• Answer:

  4 gauge wire can handle 100A (at 12V) for up to 25'. If the total length of power and ground are longer than that, you need a larger gauge wire. http://www.rbeelectronics.com/wtable.htm