What gauge wire should be used for emergency car jump-starting?

[DeAlan]

For emergency car jump-starting, copper wires with an outer diameter of 10mm or larger should be used. The main types of wires and cables used in power systems include bare overhead wires, busbars (bus ducts), power cables (plastic cables, oil-paper insulated cables (largely replaced by plastic power cables), rubber-sheathed cables, overhead insulated cables, branch cables (replacing some busbars), magnet wires, and electrical equipment wires and cables for power devices. Magnet wires mainly consist of enameled wires and wrapped wires; enameled wires are made by coating bare copper wires with insulating varnish, featuring a thin insulation layer and compact size, widely used in various motors, electrical appliances, and instruments. The performance of enameled wires varies depending on the properties of the insulating materials used. Wrapped wires mainly include yarn-covered wires, silk-covered wires, glass fiber-covered wires, paper-covered wires, and plastic film-covered wires.

[LaylaLee]

Having driven for decades and experienced numerous jump starts, I've frequently encountered issues with cables being too thin. For emergency jump-start cables, it's generally recommended to use AWG 6 or thicker models, which roughly translates to 10-25 square millimeters for reliable performance. When there's a large current surge, thin cables like AWG 10 or smaller have higher resistance, making them prone to overheating or even smoking—I once witnessed a friend's thin cable melting the plug, nearly causing a fire. Length is also crucial; 3-4 meters is ideal, but if longer (e.g., over 6 meters), you should upgrade to AWG 4 to avoid excessive voltage drop preventing the car from starting. When selecting cables, opt for thicker insulation and pure copper cores—don’t cheap out with aluminum. Store them in the trunk and inspect regularly for wear. Remember: safety first. Before jump-starting a dead battery, ensure there’s no leakage, turn off all electronics, and avoid incorrect polarity connections to prevent short-circuit risks.

[VonIan]

I always remind my friends not to take jump-starting safety lightly. The emergency jumper cables for cars should be at least 6 AWG or 15 square millimeters to ensure safety and reliability. The current can surge to over 200 amps during startup. Thinner cables have higher resistance, generating heat that can make them too hot to handle or even melt the insulation, and a short circuit could lead to accidents. Don’t skimp and use cables that are too thin, such as those below 10 AWG. It’s better to buy a complete set with reverse polarity protection—those with thick, heat-resistant plastic insulation are more effective. Keep the cable length within 3 meters; if longer, use thicker cables like 4 AWG to ensure smooth current flow. A useful tip is to turn off the engine and disconnect the power before jump-starting, and use clamps to secure the connection points to avoid poor contact and repeated attempts. Remember to regularly test the condition of your backup battery—prevention is better than fixing problems afterward. In emergencies, seek professional assistance to ensure personal safety.

[MacJourney]

When buying jumper cables for my own car, I considered the budget. Cables that are too thick are expensive, while those too thin are unsafe, so I compromised and chose 6 AWG or approximately 13 square millimeters as the most suitable option. Jump-starting requires high current, typically 100-200 amps. If using 8 AWG or thinner cheap cables, they may overheat and deform after just a few uses, wasting money and requiring replacement. I once tried 10 square millimeter cables bought online for just tens of yuan, which worked well and started the car quickly. Keep the length under 4 meters—longer cables weaken the current, requiring an upgrade to 4 AWG but costing more. For practicality, choose rubber-insulated cables instead of plastic-coated ones, which age easily. Store them in the trunk to keep them dry and avoid oxidation and corrosion. Considering usage frequency, if not used often, keeping an emergency kit in the car provides extra peace of mind. In short, invest in quality to avoid compromising safety and reliability for small savings.