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Can I use 24 gauge speaker cable?

I’ve been trying to google this but I only get vague answers.
I want to know if I can use 24 gauge cable as speaker cable. And if not: why not?
Usual answers are “no, you should use xx gauge”, but I’m looking for why is that? Will the speakers of the amp go off in flames if the resistance is too high? I don’t even get that because the resistance isn’t even that much of a difference between speaker cable sizes, compared to the speakers resistance.

I’m talking about ca 16ft / 5m distance between amp and speaker. By the way should that measure 16 ft or double (32ft because one cable is plus and the other minus)?
sjeesjie

Showing 2 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,592 posts
 
Thank @erik_squires now that’s a constructive answer.


Welcome



I’m playing around with the calculator but I don’t really understand it. If I fill in 0,577 Ampere as listed in the table, and 0,082 as the resistance (10 x (8,282/1000)) years get something completely different different out of the voltage... namely 0,0003


yes, that’s how the math works. Learn DC circuit analysis to learn more, but for your purposes, put in the speaker Ohms and the Amps, and it will calculate V and W.  Clear the other two fields if needed.
erik_squires
16,592 posts
 
It’s not the amp, it’s the cable limitation.

There are two ratings for cables, ANY cables, including the AC in your wall. The breakdown insulation voltage, and maximum current in normal ambient temperature.

It is unlikely you will reach the insulation V resistance, but three things can happen if you exceed the cable’s amperage rating. As the current goes up, the conductor heats up, possibly explosively. Once it heats up the following can occur:

1 - The insulation will melt providing an opportunity for a short, and blowing up your amp.

2 - The conductor will melt, also high probability of a short.

3 - A fire can be started from the short or from the explosive conductor sparks or both.

According to this table, 24 Gauge is rated to a maximum of 0.5 Amps.



https://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm


Based on this online calculator, that means you can melt it at ..... 2 Watts!!!

https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/watt-volt-amp-calculator.html

Please use a minimum of 16 gauge, class 2 wiring, which is rated for 3.7 Amps, or about 100 Watts.

Of course, thicker gauges reduce the speaker/cable impedance, and therefore improve the damping factor.  This gets worse with long runs, so if you are going more than 10', would strongly recommend at least 14 gauge.

Best,

Erik
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