What Gauge Wire Should Be Used for Jumper Cables?

[DiGia]

For car jumper cables, it is recommended to use copper wires with an outer diameter of 10mm or more. When purchasing, not only the thickness of the wire matters but also its length. Excessively long jumper cables can lead to power loss, making it difficult to start the vehicle. Generally, jumper cables with a length of 3-4 meters are sufficient. Additionally, avoid purchasing jumper cables that cost only a few dozen yuan, as their quality is highly unreliable. They may not only leak electricity but also potentially damage the car. Below are the steps for connecting car jumper cables: 1. First, clamp the red wire of the jumper cable onto the red positive terminal of the "dead car" battery, then clamp the other end of the red wire onto the red positive terminal of the "rescue car" battery. 2. Clamp the black wire onto the negative terminal of the "dead car" battery, then clamp the other end of the black wire onto the black negative terminal of the "rescue car" battery. 3. Start the engine of the "rescue car" first, then attempt to start the engine of the "dead car." If the dead car still fails to start, check if there is poor contact in the metal connection parts. After successfully starting the engine, remember to remove the jumper cables in the correct order to avoid causing a short circuit.