Paige Wire Calculator

Wiring pumps, irrigation systems, or landscape lighting? The Paige Wire Size Calculator is a powerful tool for quickly selecting the proper conductor size—whether copper or aluminum—based on your system’s electrical requirements. It ensures safe, efficient, and code-compliant installation by calculating voltage drop and circular mils according to NEC standards.

✅ Why Use the Paige Wire Size Calculator?

• Fast & accurate: Calculate conductor size in seconds
• NEC-based: Aligns with National Electrical Code rules paigewire.com+9paigeconnected.com+9paige-agwire-wire-size-calculator.appstor.io+9paigewire.com
• Tailored to your system: Handles pump motors, single‑ and 3‑phase circuits
• Dual-material support: Copper and aluminum wiring options
• Voltage drop control: Helps maintain safe voltage levels (max recommended 3%)

🛠️ How to Use It: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Select Source Voltage
   Choose 120 V, 240 V, or 480 V (common nominal values in the NEC) paigewire.com+2paigeconnected.com+2paigewire.com+2
2. Choose Number of Phases
   • Single-phase circuits use 3 conductors
   • 3-phase circuits use 4 conductors (including ground) paigeconnected.com
3. Enter Amperes
   Use your load’s rated current—or for motor circuits multiply by 1.25 per NEC guidelines paigeconnected.com+3paigeconnected.com+3southwire.com+3
4. Input One-Way Distance (feet)
   The length from source to load, used for voltage drop calculations
5. Set Allowable Voltage Drop (%)
   Typically 3% max for feeders; tool adjusts calculations accordingly paigeconnected.com+3paigeconnected.com+3southwire.com+3southwire.com
6. Click “Calculate”
   It outputs recommended wire size (AWG/circular mils) for both copper and aluminum

📘 Formula Explained

Single-Phase:

arduinoCopyEditWire Circular Mils = (Resistivity × 2 × Amps × Distance) ÷ Voltage Drop 

Three-Phase:

arduinoCopyEditWire Circular Mils = (Resistivity × 2 × Amps × Distance × 0.866) ÷ Voltage Drop 

Where resistivity is:

• 11.2 for copper (in circular mil-ohms at 127 °F)
• 17.4 for aluminum wiresizecalculator.net+8paigeconnected.com+8paigewire.com+8

🔢 Example Use Case

A 240 V single-phase pump draws 40 A and is located 100 ft away. You want a voltage drop under 3%.

Steps:

1. Choose 240, single-phase, 40 A, 100 ft, 3% drop
2. Click “Calculate”

Results may show:

• Copper: 4 AWG
• Aluminum: 2 AWG

These results ensure minimal energy loss and NEC compliance.

⚙️ Why Voltage Drop Matters

Voltage drop affects:

• Motor performance: Low voltage reduces torque
• Device functionality: Long run lights dim
• Safety: Prevents overheating and inefficiency

NEC recommends <3% drop for feeders and branch circuits to ensure performance and safety paigeconnected.comsouthwire.com+2paigewire.com+2paigesignwire.com+2.

🧩 Use Cases

• Landscape irrigation pumps
• Agricultural motor installations
• Golf course water systems
• Landscape lighting circuits

Ideal for professionals and DIY enthusiasts who want reliable wiring recommendations.

🛈 Important Considerations

• Always follow NEC requirements and local codes
• Wire size may need adjustments for insulation, ambient temperature, or bundling
• Use accurate Load amps; for motors, multiply by 1.25 per NEC paigewire.compaigeconnected.com+1wiresizecalculator.net+1
• The tool presumes worst-case conditions; consult a licensed electrician or engineer for complex installations

❓ 20 FAQs

1. Can I use for both copper and aluminum?
   Yes—the tool calculates for both materials
2. Why multiply motor amps by 1.25?
   NEC requires sizing for 125% of motor full-load current
3. What voltage drop should I allow?
   NEC recommends no more than 3% for feeders
4. Why include distance?
   Longer runs increase resistance and voltage drop
5. Can it size for 3‑phase systems?
   Yes—enter 3-phase to include 0.866 factor
6. What resistivities are used?
   Copper: 11.2; Aluminum: 17.4 (at 127 °F) paigeconnected.com
7. Does it account for ground conductor?
   It assumes appropriate phase count; NEC determines ground size paige-agwire-wire-size-calculator.appstor.io+1paigeconnected.com+1paigewire.com+7paigeconnected.com+7southwire.com+7
8. Are phase conductor counts included?
   Single-phase uses 3; three-phase uses 4 conductors paigeconnected.com
9. Can I adjust resistivity?
   No—it uses standard values per NEC guidance
10. Why is copper smaller than aluminum?
    Copper is more conductive, so thinner gauge works
11. Is the tool NEC compliant?
    Yes, it uses NEC formulas and standards paige-agwire-wire-size-calculator.appstor.io+2paigeconnected.com+2paigewire.com+2wiresizecalculator.net
12. What if local codes differ?
    Always double-check with local regulations
13. Can I adjust ambient temperature?
    No—temperature derating must be done manually
14. Is it free?
    Yes—hosted on Paige’s website
15. Do I need an engineer?
    For critical circuits or complex systems, consult a professional
16. Can I use it offline?
    Paige offers an iOS app version paigeconnected.compaigewire.compaige-agwire-wire-size-calculator.appstor.io
17. Does it cover metric units?
    No—inputs are U.S. customary units
18. Can it size conduit too?
    Uses separate conduit calculator tool
19. Do results include circular mils?
    Yes—it lists size in both AWG and circular mils
20. What if multiple motors?
    Sum lesser motors and apply 1.25 only to largest load paigeconnected.com+1paigewire.com+1

🏁 Final Take

The Paige Wire Size Calculator is a reliable, NEC-aligned tool for determining the correct wire gauge for any single- or 3-phase system using copper or aluminum conductors. It factors in voltage drop, distance, and load to ensure safe, efficient, and code-compliant installations. For convenience, it’s also available as an iOS app.