Voltage

For optimal performance, it is critical to have a heavy enough wire running from your controller to your track. A gauge that is too light will not be able to deliver adequate power.

Voltage Drop Reference Chart

The chart below illustrates the dramatic increase in power as you use heavier gauge wire. Keep in mind, these figures are based on pure copper wire. Some alloys of copper wire, or aluminum wire, would have an even larger voltage drop than shown.

AWG no. wire gauge Voltage drop @ 5 Amps
(100' wire – 50' from
controller to track)
Voltage drop @ 10 Amps
(100' wire – 50' from
controller to track)
10 .99 1.99
12 1.59 3.16
14 2.52 5.04
16 4.01 8.02
18 6.30 12.76
20 10.14 20.28