Why use mm² in Power Cables?
Power cable conductor size is measured in square millimeters (mm²) because the most important factor is the cross-sectional area of the conductor not its diameter.
The conductor area directly determines how much current the cable can safely carry and how much electrical resistance it has.
Why use mm²?
1). Current Carrying Capacity
The amount of current a cable can safely carry depends on its cross-sectional area.
Larger area = Lower resistance = Higher current carrying capacity.
2). Lower Electrical Resistance
Electrical resistance is inversely proportional to the conductor’s area.
A larger mm² conductor reduces voltage drop and power losses.
3). Accurate for Solid and Stranded Conductors
Cables can be solid or made of many strands.
Diameter alone cannot accurately represent the total amount of copper (or) aluminum.
mm² provides the true conductor metal area regardless of construction.