IEC
Ib = Iz
Inon-cont < Iz
Icont * 1.25 < Iz
ΔU < ΔUmax
Ib = Operating current(A)
Inon-cont = Noncontinuous loads(A)
Icont = Continuous loads(A)
Iz = Max wire ampacity(A)
ΔU = Voltage drop(V)
ΔUmax = Max voltage drop(V)
This tool calculates the recommended cable cross-sectional area based on the IEC standard IEC 60364-5-52, using parameters such as load power, voltage, and circuit length.
Current Type: DC, single-phase AC, two-phase, or three-phase (3-wire or 4-wire)
Voltage (V): Phase-to-neutral (single-phase) or phase-to-phase (polyphase)
Load Power (kW or VA): Rated power of the equipment
Power Factor (cos φ): Range 0–1, default value 0.8
Line Length (meters): One-way distance from source to load
Maximum Allowable Voltage Drop (% or V): Typically 3%
Ambient Temperature (°C): Affects conductor current-carrying capacity
Conductor Material: Copper (Cu) or Aluminum (Al)
Insulation Type: PVC (70°C) or XLPE/EPR (90°C)
Method of Installation: e.g., surface-mounted, in conduit, buried (per IEC Table A.52.3)
Number of Circuits in Same Conduit: Used to apply grouping derating factor
Are all parallel cables installed in one conduit?
Allow conductor sizes smaller than 1.5 mm²?
1.Recommended conductor cross-sectional area (mm²)
2.Required number of parallel conductors (if any)
3.Actual current-carrying capacity (A)
4.Calculated voltage drop (% and V)
5.Compliance with IEC standard requirements
6.Reference standard tables (e.g., B.52.2, B.52.17)
This tool is designed for electrical engineers, installers, and students to enable fast and compliant cable sizing.
Different installation methods (surface-mounted, in conduit, buried, etc.) have different heat dissipation conditions, which directly affect the current-carrying capacity of the conductor. The worse the heat dissipation, the lower the allowable current, and therefore a larger cross-sectional area is required to meet the current-carrying demand.
The conductivity of copper is approximately 1.6 times that of aluminum. For the same current-carrying capacity, aluminum cables require a larger cross-sectional area. For example, the current-carrying capacity of a 10 mm² copper cable typically requires about a 16 mm² aluminum cable to achieve.
Increasing the conductor cross-sectional area reduces the line resistance, thereby reducing the voltage drop. If a single cable cannot meet the requirement, multiple cables can be connected in parallel to share the current.
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