Simple circuit. Lithium battery as 12 volt power supply. Approximately 1 amp electrical load. Circuit distance is 30 feet round trip. Manufacturer specifies a 3 amps fuse at the battery.

A wire size selection chart I have indicates 16 gauge wire to be adequate for X voltage drop. 12 gauge wire for Y voltage drop.

My silly question is, is there ever any concern with using a larger wire than whatever size is specified in the chart? I am guessing no. But some keyboard cowboys are taking a contrarian position.

Maybe I am not seeing the forest for the trees.

 

is there ever any concern with using a larger wire than whatever size is specified in the chart?

HI
If you mean a larger diameter wire, the answer its OK.
E

 

Look up the DC resistance of 30 feet of 16 AWG wire versus 12 AWG wire.

 

My silly question is, is there ever any concern with using a larger wire than whatever size is specified in the chart?

None electrically, as it will give a lower voltage drop for a given current.
The only negative is just the cost and weight of a larger wire.

 

HI
If you mean a larger diameter wire, the answer its OK.
E

Yes. Larger diameter wire.

 

Look up the DC resistance of 30 feet of 16 AWG wire versus 12 AWG wire.

Why?

 

Why?

Resistance is a function of cross-sectional area. Surprised you were unaware.

Also, larger wire will have a smaller temperature rise for a given current.

 

Resistance is a function of cross-sectional area. Surprised you were unaware.

Also, larger wire will have a smaller temperature rise for a given current.

I was aware. I was wondering why it was brought up.

 

Why?

Because you need to look at the data in order to make an informed decision.
Resistance of 12 AWG is 1.62 ohms per 1000 feet. 30 feet is about 49 mΩ.
Resistance of 16 AWG is 4.09 ohms per 1000 feet. 30 feet is about 124 mΩ.

 

I was aware. I was wondering why it was brought up.

Because you asked a question related to different wire sizes.

 

Simple circuit. Lithium battery as 12 volt power supply. Approximately 1 amp electrical load. Circuit distance is 30 feet round trip. Manufacturer specifies a 3 amps fuse at the battery.

A wire size selection chart I have indicates 16 gauge wire to be adequate for X voltage drop. 12 gauge wire for Y voltage drop.

My silly question is, is there ever any concern with using a larger wire than whatever size is specified in the chart? I am guessing no. But some keyboard cowboys are taking a contrarian position.

Maybe I am not seeing the forest for the trees.

The key phrase is "is there ever any concern". Larger wires are heavier, cost more, conduct more heat, and take up more space. If your application is sensitive to any of those things (and probably some others), then there can be a concern.

But if you are restricting the discussion to only the electrical considerations, then there should almost never be any concern (I only say "almost" because there are always lunatic fringe applications in which the detailed characteristics of seemingly innocuous parts are important).

 

Electrical considerations only.

 

Bigger is better.