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AmpSize

· 1 min read

What size cable for a 22 kW EV charger?

Cable size calculator

+2 references

Worked to AS/NZS 3008.1.2:2017 (NZ) and AS/NZS 3000:2018. Tables checked 27 Sept 2026.

Conductor size

6mm²

Derated capacity
38A
Voltage drop
1.04%
Earth conductor
2.5mm²
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This result is a design aid. Verify it against the current standard.

A drawn result card from the Cable Size tool: conductor size 6 mm².

A 22 kW three‑phase EV charger on a 32 A circuit takes 6 mm² copper cable on a typical route. For 20 m of multicore PVC cable enclosed in air at 30 °C, the tool gives 38 A of derated capacity and a voltage drop of 1.04 %.

The case

At 400 V and unity power factor, a 22 kW charger draws 31.75 A in each phase. The circuit is sized for the full 32 A of its curve C breaker. Ze is 0.35 Ω and the voltage drop limit is 5 %. Table 5.1 gives a 2.5 mm² earth, and the earth fault loop impedance is 0.61 Ω.

What changes the answer

Length moves it. Over 60 m, the earth fault loop impedance sets the size, and the tool selects 10 mm² with a drop of 1.85 %.

The charger's circuit also needs its RCD and the spare capacity of the supply checked. The EV charger tool covers both.

See also: Three‑phase EV charger current and EV charger cable size for a 7 kW circuit.

Try it with these inputs

Ambient temperature
30 °C
Cores
Multicore
Device curve
Curve C
Check protective device
Yes
Grouped circuits
1
Insulation
PVC 75 °C
Run length
20 m
Design current
32 A
Material
Copper
Installation method
Enclosed in air
Power factor
1
Phases
Three phase
Device rating
32 A
Voltage drop limit
5 %
Voltage
400 V
External impedance Ze
0.35 Ω
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AmpSize is a design aid. Verify results against the current standard.

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