Power and ground sizing

[jnorion]

I want to make sure I understand this correctly before I install something dangerous.

It's okay to run from a larger wire size to a smaller one as long as the power going through the small one doesn't exceed its capabilities, and as long as the ground coming out of the amp is the same size as the power going into it, right?

For example, this is okay, right? It's not going to overload the ground wire or the 8 gauge power wire just because there's the 1/0 in front of it, is it?

[goldstar]

Right on all counts. The 8 gauge wire is fine as long as its current capacity (which is a function both of its area in circular mills and its length) is not exceeded. It doesn't matter that it is preceeded by a 1/0 gauge wire. If the power wire going into the amp is of sufficient size to carry the amps going in, then the same size wire will be sufficient for the ground connection.

Happy Motoring!