Why are the cables for low voltage lights bigger than normal house wire.Lower voltage-lower amps?

Answer 1

Wire thickness depends on amperes (the current flowing thru it).

Example: your car battery is 12 volts but has a thick cable going to the alternator, The voltage is lower than household current, but the number of amps is higher.

So cables are rated on amps and volts, but it is the amps that melt the cable! So you could be having low voltage lamps drawing a larger current.

a 100 watt bulb in 120 VAC is drawing approx 1 amp.
While a 60 Watt bulb at 12V is drawing 5 amps.

Remember the formula: p= i X v or i = p/v
where
p = power in watts
i = current in amps
v= Potential Difference in volts

Answer 2

I don't know what 'low voltage lights' your referring to?

The size of wire, or the gauge (awg) is determined by the current/amperage rating not the voltage. The inside wiring of a house is usually Minimum 12 AWG (2.05 mm) copper wire for 20 ampere circuits (stranded may also be used, but is slightly more expensive).
Minimum 14 AWG (1.63 mm) copper wire or 12 AWG aluminum for 15 ampere circuits. Some local codes require a minimum of 12 gauge copper for 15 ampere circuits, except for switch legs — that is, circuit portions that are strictly between a light switch and the light that it serves.

As for household wire, like extension cords, the wire is 14AWG stranded, for flexibility.

However in DC power the voltage drop over distance is substantial so relatively high-amperage circuits are used, with low voltage.

Answer 3

because the lower voltage lines lose power over the run of the wire.....so the longer the run, bigger the wire should be, perfect example is malibu type lighting. If you need it to run 100 feet, you better get 12 gauge wire

Answer 4

lower voltage = increased amps

Answer 5

your lites are turned into dc voltage witch carry a lot of heat [feel your computer] hence the bigger cable