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Most folks who are new, don't know what type of Wire Size for each voltage is really recommended for each VDC.
I know Sid has pointed out that the Bolts on the 6K GS inverters are reated for 500A.
The question becomes on what size wire for each voltage level is best to use for a GS inverter, running under a full Load?
Keep in mind, the battery wires are not the determing factor in your inverter getting the power it needs, its the wire from the bus bar, to the GS that determins if your gs is getting all it needs. However, if you undersize your battery wires for the amps the battery is able to give, it can reduce the power and cause heating of the wires.
Also, having a bus bar with say 10 24Vdc battery bank will not likely heat up any of the wires, as the draw from each battery is devided by which battery has the most power to give on the top end. However, if your only useing 3 24Vdc batter bank, and each bank is only able to output 100A at 24v. you going to run into several issue if you load up your GS 6K inverter, as at 6K, you will at least need 300A to handle that load, and thats not even accouning the surge load and how far is the battery to the inverter.
For example, I was useing a 6K gopower inverter, and it was at 12Vdc. I was useing 0/3 Awg and at that the inverter had two postive and Neg, and so I was useing four 0/3 awg wires that was bigger then the wire coming into my house. at 12Vdc 6K I was pully 600A during the day when the AC, Freezers and other stuff was running on the Box truck while out in 100 F weather, with Four Batts, a 300 A Alternator and a Generator to boot. for a 24FT box truck.
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Most folks who are new, don't know what type of Wire Size for each voltage is really recommended for each VDC.
It also depends on what type wire you are using. Regular house wire can handle a certain amount of current if it is type TW, UF ( 60°C ). But ( 75° ) RHW, THHN, THW, THWN, XHHW, or ZW can handle more. And 90°C wire even more. As an example, 3/0 wire is rated at 260 Amps on 60°C wire, 310 amps on 75°C wire, and 350 Amps on 90°C wire. 3/0 Welding cable where the runs are under a total of 50' is rated at 400 Amps continuous and that is if the jacket is rated at 75°C. The wire I use is rated for 105°C which ups a 3/0 to 420 Amps continuous. Techweld says the 2/0 wire in my setups is good for 350 Amps continuous.
Also, in addition to the temperature rating of the wire, the temperature rating of the connection factors in. So THHN wire might be rated at 90 degrees C, but the lug it terminates on could be 60 degree rated, so you have to limit the ampacity of the wire to that temperature.
1 hour ago, InPhase said:Also, in addition to the temperature rating of the wire, the temperature rating of the connection factors in. So THHN wire might be rated at 90 degrees C, but the lug it terminates on could be 60 degree rated, so you have to limit the ampacity of the wire to that temperature.
Which is really stupid as the equipment should all be made to be used with 90°C rated wire.
Which is really stupid as the equipment should all be made to be used with 90°C rated wire.
Well.... This is largely a limitation imposed by the physical properties of the materials. Some standard equipment simply can't handle 90 degrees C because it can't get rid of the heat fast enough. So much standard electrical equipment was designed before 90 degree wire was a thing, and now these standard shapes and sizes can't easily be changed to accommodate increased heat dissipation.