Wire Gauge Explanation
Wire gauge is a measurement of wire diameter and determines the safe operating current a wire can conduct. American Wire Gauge (AGW) is the most common wire measurement standard used in the United States. Does this Spark an idea?
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Numbers
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When measuring wire, the higher the number the thinner the wire, so a 14 gauge wire is much thinner than an eight gauge wire. A good rule of thumb is that for every six gauge increase the diameter of the wire is halved, so an eight gauge wire is twice as thick as a 14 gauge wire.
Solid vs. Stranded
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Stranded wire is actually a little thicker than solid wire because there are air gaps between the strands, and these are accounted for when measuring stranded wire.
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Why Stranded
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Solid wire is much less flexible and less resilient when bent; because of this stranded wire is often used in extension cords, appliance power cords and high current applications instead of solid wire.
Household Wiring
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Common household wiring is 10 and 12 gauge solid wire. Wiring for appliances which draw more current such as electric ranges, home heaters, air conditioners and clothes dryers often use lower gauge (thicker) stranded wire.
Other Gauges
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Many things are measured in gauge; nails, jewelry wire, bullets and piercing posts are some of the many things that are measured in gauge.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit green fuse wire image by Brett Mulcahy from Fotolia.com
