VE.Direct Cable AWG Wire Size?

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Leonard C Taft asked Mar 5, '24

VE.Direct Cable AWG Wire Size?

Does anyone know (for certain) what is the conductor size used in the VE.Direct cables? Specifically, the number of individual copper strands and the mm or AWG size of those individual wires, collectively twisted together forming a copper ???-strand conductor with a combined ??? AWG size? I must run several VE.Direct cables through a very hostile environment (crowded engine room with 3 diesel engines, 2 of those are generators, and most of shipboard 240/120VAC wiring). Ambient temp is 127*F when just one engine running, and plenty of EMI throughout the engine room. I am wondering if NMEA 2000 cable may prove more robust, with possibly larger AWG and 3 levels of foil shielding. BUT, if Victron wire size is larger, then I am mistaken, and will just look to somehow shield the VE.Direct cables in the engine room. Any insight is really appreciated. Thank you.

VE.Direct

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Alexandra answered · Mar 05 at 06:03 PM

@Leonard C Taft

How long is the run?

Anything over 10m on ve direct (max length you can buy) is pretty much a no go. The signal is too weak for that.

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Answer 1 · 2024-03-05T18:36:03Z

Leonard C Taft answered · Mar 05 at 06:36 PM

Thank you very much for your helpfulness. To answer your question, I understand 10m (33 ft) is the official maximum length, most likely due to voltage-drop/signal-attenuation. Most of my runs will be under that length, but in a very hostile environment, and yes, two of my runs must be longer (40-50 ft). NMEA 2000 cable offers good shielding, and with cable wire sizes of Micro-22awg; Mid-20awg; and Mini-18awg, IF one or more of these NMEA 2000 cables does indeed use wire larger (AWG) than in the VE.Direct cables, then voltage-drop/signal-attenuation would be less, allowing longer runs, and with good shielding, the cables would pick up less noise. Additionally, the warmer the wire, the greater its resistance, so the 127*F temp of my engine room reduces the official 10m max length (not sure to what extent because I do not yet know what gauge wire Victron uses in the VE.Direct cable, nor if they increase the wire gauge used in the cables as the pre-made length is increased to keep signal/voltage quality within specs. Have you (or any of our other helpful Victron Community or Victron Technician/moderators discovered the specs (wire construction and AWG size or metric cross-section) of the VE.Direct 4-conductor cable? I deeply appreciate any/all help.

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Answer 2 · 2024-03-05T18:44:19Z

kevgermany answered · Mar 05 at 06:44 PM

Probably better using the VE.CAN adapters and cabling.

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