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EC-12 · Supply

Battery Cable for Inverters, Backup Power and Vehicles

Battery cable in 16mm to 95mm with lugs and terminals for inverters, vehicles and backup power. Send one free request and a local supplier quotes you directly.

Short red and black battery cables with crimped lugs connecting lithium batteries in a rack
Short red and black battery cables with crimped lugs connecting lithium batteries in a rack

Battery cable is the heavy, flexible single-core cable that links batteries to each other and to an inverter, starter motor or charger. It carries very high direct current over short distances, so size, lugs and connections matter more than almost anywhere else in an installation. Since load-shedding, inverter and battery backup systems have made it a common purchase for homes and businesses. ElectricalCable.co.za does not sell cable. Tell us what you need and we pass your request to an independent supplier or installer in your area, who quotes you directly.

Where battery cable is used

Battery cable shows up in more places than most people expect:

  • Inverter battery cable: from the battery bank to a hybrid or backup inverter
  • Battery to battery cable: short interconnects joining batteries in series or parallel
  • Vehicles and trucks: starter, alternator and earth straps
  • Caravans, boats and 4x4s: dual-battery and auxiliary systems
  • Forklifts, golf carts and UPS systems: traction and standby batteries

Sizes: 16mm to 95mm

Battery cable is sized by cross-section. Small 12 V systems may use 16 mm² or 25 mm², while 35mm battery cable is a common choice for 5 kVA-class inverters. Larger 48 V banks and high-current systems use 50, 70 or 95 mm². The correct size depends on the inverter's maximum DC current, the run length and the fuse or breaker rating. Keep runs as short as possible and make positive and negative leads the same length so parallel batteries share the load evenly.

Lugs, terminals and protection

A cable is only as good as its ends. Use copper or tinned copper lugs that match both the cable size and the stud size, crimped with a proper hydraulic or ratchet crimper, then covered with heat-shrink. A loose or poorly crimped battery cable terminal gets hot and can start a fire. Every battery bank also needs a correctly rated DC fuse or breaker close to the positive terminal, and an isolator so the system can be worked on safely.

Buying battery cable

Battery cable has very fine copper strands and a flexible PVC or rubber sheath, usually in red and black. It is sold by the metre, on drums, or as made-up leads with lugs already crimped. Price is driven by the copper price, the size, and whether you want made-up leads. Lithium battery and inverter installations connected to your home's wiring must be done by a registered electrician, who issues a COC.

Comparing battery cable prices

Cable prices change with the copper price, size, brand and quantity. When quotes arrive, check:

  • Exact specification: size in mm², cores, conductor, insulation, armour and voltage rating.
  • Quantity: cut length or full drum, and whether the drum deposit is refundable.
  • Standards: SABS-marked cable to the relevant SANS standard, not unmarked imports.
  • Delivery: lead time, delivery to site and offloading of heavy drums.

What to include in your request

  • Cable size and length of red and black
  • Inverter size and battery voltage (12, 24 or 48 V) if known
  • Whether you want made-up leads with lugs and heat-shrink
  • Lug stud sizes, plus any fuses, breakers or isolators needed
  • Your suburb and whether you need an installer as well

Frequently asked questions

What size battery cable do I need for my inverter?
It depends on the inverter's DC current, the battery voltage and the cable length. Many 5 kVA systems use 35 mm², while larger or 12 V systems need heavier cable. Check the inverter manual and have your installer confirm the size and fuse rating.
Can I use welding cable as battery cable?
Welding cable is very flexible and is sometimes used for battery links, but it is designed for welding circuits. For inverter and backup systems, rather use cable sold for battery or DC use with the correct ratings, and ask your installer what they specify.
Can I buy battery cables with the lugs already fitted?
Yes. Many suppliers make up battery leads to length with lugs crimped and heat-shrunk, which gives a more reliable joint than hand tools. Give the length, cable size and lug stud size when you request a quote.
Do you sell battery cable?
No. ElectricalCable.co.za is a free quote-request service. We pass your request to an independent cable supplier or installer near you, who quotes you directly. There is no cost and no obligation to accept the quote.

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