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Update battery lead specifications and wire guidelines for 2025/2026 rule changes #3261

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Update battery lead specifications and wire guidelines for 2025/2026 rule changes #3261

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8 changes: 6 additions & 2 deletions source/docs/hardware/hardware-basics/robot-battery.rst
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Expand Up @@ -32,11 +32,15 @@ Damaged batteries should be safely disposed of as soon as possible. All retailer

### Battery Leads

Battery leads must be copper, minimum size (cross section) 6 AWG (16mm2, 7 SWG) and maximum length 12", color coded for polarity, with an Anderson SB connector. Standard 6AWG copper leads with Pink/Red SB50 battery leads often come in the Kit of Parts and are sold by FRC vendors.
Battery leads should be copper, minimum size (cross section) 6 AWG (16mm2, 7 SWG) and a minimum length to reach where they need to go on your robot, color coded for polarity, with an Anderson SB connector. Standard 6AWG copper leads with Pink/Red SB50 battery leads often come in the Kit of Parts and are sold by FRC vendors.

.. note:: There is no maximum length of wire leads coming off the battery. However, keeping runs as short as possible is best for robot performance.

#### Lead Cables

Tinned, annealed, or coated copper is allowed. Do not use CCA (copper clad aluminum), aluminum, or other non-copper base metal. The conductor metal is normally printed on the outside of the insulation with the other cable ratings.
Tinned, annealed, coated copper, or CCA (copper clad aluminum) is allowed. Do not use regular aluminum wire, or other non-copper base metal. The conductor metal is normally printed on the outside of the insulation with the other cable ratings.
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@sciencewhiz sciencewhiz Mar 24, 2026

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It's my understanding that FIRST only made CCA legal to avoid teams having to rewire at inspection if they used the wrong wire. Thus I think I'd prefer to keep CCA in the do not use to absolutely minimize the number of teams that end up using it


.. note:: In 2026, all robot electrical wires may now be CCA (copper clad aluminum) (including the main power cables) but this is not recommended. Typically a given CCA wire gauge is equivalent to the next smaller copper wire gauge so 6 AWG CCA is closer to 7 or even 8 AWG copper for current carrying capacity.

Wire size 6AWG is sufficient for almost all robots and fits standard SB50 contacts. A small number of teams adopt larger wire sizes for marginal performance benefits.

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