1.5 mm² to AWG
14 AWG is the gauge most camper electricians default to for branch circuits in the 5–15 A range. It handles interior LED lighting, USB outlets, small fans, and 12V cigarette sockets without breaking a sweat. Below 14 AWG you are into signal-wire territory (16 / 18 AWG); above it (12 AWG) is for water pumps, vent fans, and small motor loads. In standard metric cable, 14 AWG corresponds to 1.5 mm² — the most stocked size in European auto-electrical and marine shops.
All values on this page assume copper conductors at 20°C ambient. Aluminum has ~60% higher resistance for the same cross-section and is generally not recommended for low-voltage DC.
Calculate for your specific cable run
The tables below assume 14 AWG (1.5 mm²) copper. Use the calculator to confirm this gauge is correct for your exact load and length, or get a different gauge recommendation if needed.
= 60W
= 16.4 ft (one way, round-trip calculated automatically)
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Download Cable for iOS14 AWG Voltage Drop at 12V DC
Round-trip voltage drop for 14 AWG (1.5 mm²) copper wire at 20°C ambient. Cells highlighted in yellow exceed the 3% target; red cells exceed 5% and are not recommended.
| Current | 1 m / 3 ft | 2 m / 7 ft | 3 m / 10 ft | 5 m / 16 ft | 7 m / 23 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 A | 0.048 V (0.40%) | 0.095 V (0.79%) | 0.14 V (1.19%) | 0.24 V (1.98%) | 0.33 V (2.78%) |
| 5 A | 0.12 V (0.99%) | 0.24 V (1.98%) | 0.36 V (2.98%) | 0.60 V (4.96%) | 0.83 V (6.94%) |
| 8 A | 0.19 V (1.59%) | 0.38 V (3.17%) | 0.57 V (4.76%) | 0.95 V (7.93%) | 1.33 V (11.11%) |
| 10 A | 0.24 V (1.98%) | 0.48 V (3.97%) | 0.71 V (5.95%) | 1.19 V (9.92%) | 1.67 V (13.88%) |
| 12 A | 0.29 V (2.38%) | 0.57 V (4.76%) | 0.86 V (7.14%) | 1.43 V (11.90%) | 2.00 V (16.66%) |
| 15 A | 0.36 V (2.98%) | 0.71 V (5.95%) | 1.07 V (8.93%) | 1.79 V (14.88%) | 2.50 V (20.83%) |
14 AWG Voltage Drop at 24V DC
Round-trip voltage drop for 14 AWG (1.5 mm²) copper wire at 20°C ambient. Cells highlighted in yellow exceed the 3% target; red cells exceed 5% and are not recommended.
| Current | 1 m / 3 ft | 2 m / 7 ft | 3 m / 10 ft | 5 m / 16 ft | 7 m / 23 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 A | 0.048 V (0.20%) | 0.095 V (0.40%) | 0.14 V (0.60%) | 0.24 V (0.99%) | 0.33 V (1.39%) |
| 5 A | 0.12 V (0.50%) | 0.24 V (0.99%) | 0.36 V (1.49%) | 0.60 V (2.48%) | 0.83 V (3.47%) |
| 8 A | 0.19 V (0.79%) | 0.38 V (1.59%) | 0.57 V (2.38%) | 0.95 V (3.97%) | 1.33 V (5.55%) |
| 10 A | 0.24 V (0.99%) | 0.48 V (1.98%) | 0.71 V (2.98%) | 1.19 V (4.96%) | 1.67 V (6.94%) |
| 12 A | 0.29 V (1.19%) | 0.57 V (2.38%) | 0.86 V (3.57%) | 1.43 V (5.95%) | 2.00 V (8.33%) |
| 15 A | 0.36 V (1.49%) | 0.71 V (2.98%) | 1.07 V (4.46%) | 1.79 V (7.44%) | 2.50 V (10.41%) |
What is 14 AWG (1.5 mm²) used for?
Camper / RV applications
- LED interior lighting circuits (typically 2–5 A total)
- Vent fans (Maxxair, Fiamma) up to 6 A
- USB outlets and 12V cigarette sockets
- Small water pumps under 7 A continuous
- Control circuits to relays, switches, dimmers
Boat / marine applications
- Navigation and anchor lights
- Cabin LED lighting
- Instrument panel feeds and GPS plotters
- Small bilge pumps under 12 A
- Stereo head unit and cabin USB outlets
Off-grid / solar applications
- Branch circuits in tiny homes and cabins
- Lighting circuits in garden sheds and workshops
- Sensor and monitoring system feeds
- Small fan and ventilation circuits
When to step up
- Continuous current above 12 A — within 20% of ampacity
- Cable runs longer than 4 m at 12V with currents above 8 A
- Water pumps with inrush above 15 A (use 12 AWG to absorb the spike)
- Anything with a motor: motor inrush is 3–5x continuous current
Fuse size for 14 AWG (1.5 mm²)
The fuse must protect the wire, not the load. For 14 AWG copper (1.5 mm²) the maximum fuse rating is 15 A. Below this ceiling, size the fuse at 125% of your continuous load current and round up to the next standard fuse size.
| Continuous Load | 125% Calculation | Recommended Fuse | Fuse Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 A | 2.5 A | 5 A | Blade (ATC) |
| 5 A | 6.25 A | 7.5 A | Blade (ATC) |
| 8 A | 10 A | 10 A | Blade (ATC) |
| 10 A | 12.5 A | 15 A | Blade (ATC) |
| 12 A | 15 A | 15 A | Blade (ATC) |
Related conversions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 1.5 mm² in AWG?
1.5 mm² is the metric pairing for 14 AWG in international cable standards. The precise AWG value is between 15 AWG (1.65 mm²) and 16 AWG (1.31 mm²) — closer to 15 AWG. In practice, 1.5 mm² and 14 AWG are interchangeable in datasheets and electrical codes.
How many amps can 1.5 mm² handle?
1.5 mm² copper cable is rated for 15 A continuous at 20°C in chassis wiring — the same ampacity as 14 AWG. This is plenty for typical lighting and accessory branch circuits in campers and boats.
Is 1.5 mm² enough for an LED lighting circuit?
Yes. A typical camper LED lighting branch draws 2–5 A; 1.5 mm² has a 15 A ceiling and handles this comfortably with negligible voltage drop on runs up to 5 m. You can run multiple lighting zones on one 1.5 mm² circuit before needing to step up to 2.5 mm².
What size fuse for 1.5 mm² wire?
Use a 15 A blade fuse (ATC/ATO). For loads under 12 A continuous, size the fuse at 125% of the load — for example a 6 A continuous load takes a 7.5 A fuse, rounded up to the next standard size.