How Thick Should Jumper Cables Be for Cars?
3 Answers
For regular household cars, cables with a cross-section of 10 square millimeters or more are required, while large trucks need cables around 25 square millimeters. Here are some precautions regarding car jumper cables: 10 square millimeter cables are generally sufficient for jump-starting cars: However, it's essential to use dedicated car jumper cables to ensure successful jump-starting and avoid damage to the battery. Sequence for disconnecting jumper cables: First, disconnect the black clamp connected to the charged vehicle (negative terminal), then remove the black clamp from the originally dead vehicle. Next, disconnect the red positive clamp from the charged vehicle, followed by removing the red clamp from the originally dead vehicle. Points to note when purchasing cables: Excessively long jumper cables can lead to power loss, potentially preventing the car from starting. Most recommendations suggest using jumper cables that are 3-4 meters long. Additionally, it's important to choose high-quality cables.
Having worked in car repairs for many years, I've seen many cases where people used overly thin jumper cables and ended up burning out their equipment. If the jumper cables are too thin, they can heat up rapidly when high current passes through, potentially causing a fire. Generally, starting a car requires a current of around 200 amps or more, so it's safest to use cables with a thickness of 4 to 6 gauge. Anything too thin, like 10 gauge or below, simply can't handle it. Cable length is also crucial—longer cables need to be thicker to reduce resistance; otherwise, the voltage drop can be too significant, preventing the engine from starting. Additionally, the material of the cable matters—copper cores are better than aluminum cores because they dissipate heat faster. I recommend buying branded products and not skimping on cost, especially in winter when cold starts require even higher currents, making safety even more critical. Keeping a set of thicker cables on hand can save you a lot of trouble.
Using jumper cables that are too thin definitely won't work. I remember last year when my car battery was dead, I tried several times with thin cables but couldn't get the engine to warm up. After wasting half an hour, I finally switched to a thicker cable and solved the problem easily. The starting current of a car is extremely large, generally requiring thick cables to support it. I recommend using 4 or 6 gauge thickness; 10 gauge is too small and shouldn't be used. Also, don't forget to consider the weather. In hot summers, when the battery is weak, thin cables are more prone to overheating, and you need to be extra careful about the risk of short circuits in rainy weather. If the cable is longer than 3 meters, it must be thicker; otherwise, the resistance will be too high and the current won't pass through. Now, I always keep a thick cable in my car—it's not expensive, just a few hundred bucks, practical and reassuring, avoiding the embarrassment of roadside emergencies.
