What is the impact of wires on the current drive capability of a controller?
Electrical wires have an electrical resistance. The thinner the wire, the higher the resistance. When current flows through a wire, an amount of heat equal to the wire’s resistance multiplied by the Amp to the square is generated. If the wire is too thin (i.e. its resistance is too high), then the wire will heat up, potentially melting its insulator, or even melting the copper. Wire thickness is defined using the AWG metric, which in turns specifies a typical maximum current that can safely flow through it. AWG 10 wires are rated to 50A max. by most manufacturers. Thicker AWG 8 wires are rated up to 80A. The AX2550 is fitted with AWG 8 wires on its power stage. Note that most competing controllers are delivered with wires or hook-up terminals that will not withstand, according the their manufacturer’s specification, the advertised maximum current of the controller.
