Wire gauge: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Wire_gauge_(PSF).png|400px|thumb|right|Figure 1. A diagram showing the different gauges of wire and their corresponding number based on its cross section.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (October 3, 2015). ''Wire Gauge'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Wire_gauge_(PSF).png</ref>]] | [[File:Wire_gauge_(PSF).png|400px|thumb|right|Figure 1. A diagram showing the different gauges of wire and their corresponding number based on its cross section.<ref>Wikimedia Commons. (October 3, 2015). ''Wire Gauge'' [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Wire_gauge_(PSF).png</ref>]] | ||
<onlyinclude>'''Wire gauge''' | <onlyinclude>'''Wire gauge''' measures how large a [[wire]]'s cross sectional area is. Knowing the gauge is important because it determines how much [[electric current]] a wire can carry without being damaged—this quantity is called [[ampacity]].</onlyinclude> | ||
==American Wire Gauge System== | ==American Wire Gauge System== | ||
The American Wire Gauge system or AWG | The American Wire Gauge system or AWG standardizes the cross sectional area of a wires by assigning them an AWG number. As seen in Figure 1, a lower numbered gauge wire has a larger diameter and thus is able to carry higher currents. There are a total of 40 different gauge sizes with cross sectional areas ranging from 0.013 mm<sup>2</sup> to 107.22 mm<sup>2</sup> with their diameters changing incrementally between each gauge number. | ||
==Wire Gauge Values== | ==Wire Gauge Values== | ||
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The figures above are taken from ''Table 310.15(B)(16) in the 2014 National Electrical Code (USA)'' and assume a temperature rating of 90°C.<ref>"2014 National Electrical Code" Table 310.15(B)(16)</ref> Also, Table 3.1 on page 69 in ''Introduction to Electricity'' was used as a template and reference.<ref name=R1> | The figures above are taken from ''Table 310.15(B)(16) in the 2014 National Electrical Code (USA)'' and assume a temperature rating of 90°C.<ref>"2014 National Electrical Code" Table 310.15(B)(16)</ref> Also, Table 3.1 on page 69 in ''Introduction to Electricity'' was used as a template and reference.<ref name=R1>R. Paynter and B. Boydell, Introduction to electricity. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011.</ref> | ||
For a more complete list, please see Dr. Rowlett's [http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/scales/wiregauge.html unit page]. | For a more complete list, please see Dr. Rowlett's [http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/scales/wiregauge.html unit page]. | ||
== For Further Reading == | |||
For further information please see the related pages below: | |||
*[[Wire]] | |||
*[[Direct current]] | |||
*[[Alternating current]] | |||
*[[Electrical grid]] | |||
* Or explore a [[Special:Random| random page!]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Uploaded]] | [[Category:Uploaded]] | ||
Revision as of 21:50, 11 May 2018
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Wire gauge measures how large a wire's cross sectional area is. Knowing the gauge is important because it determines how much electric current a wire can carry without being damaged—this quantity is called ampacity.
American Wire Gauge System
The American Wire Gauge system or AWG standardizes the cross sectional area of a wires by assigning them an AWG number. As seen in Figure 1, a lower numbered gauge wire has a larger diameter and thus is able to carry higher currents. There are a total of 40 different gauge sizes with cross sectional areas ranging from 0.013 mm2 to 107.22 mm2 with their diameters changing incrementally between each gauge number.
Wire Gauge Values
| AWG number | Cross sectional area (mm2) | Ohms/km (/km) | Ampacity (A) | Usage example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 0.82 | 20.95 | 14 | Low voltage lighting |
| 16 | 1.31 | 13.18 | 18 | Extension cords |
| 14 | 2.08 | 8.28 | 25 | Lighting fixtures |
| 12 | 3.31 | 5.21 | 30 | Kitchen appliances |
| 10 | 5.26 | 3.28 | 40 | Electric dryers |
| 8 | 8.37 | 2.06 | 55 | Electric ovens |
| 6 | 13.30 | 1.30 | 75 | Large electric heaters |
| 4 | 21.15 | 0.81 | 85 | Large furnaces |
| 3 | 26.67 | 0.65 | 115 | Large commercial wiring |
| 2 | 33.63 | 0.51 | 130 | Car battery cable |
| 1 | 42.41 | 0.41 | 145 | Power distribution |
| 1/0 | 53.47 | 0.32 | 170 | Power distribution |
| 2/0 | 67.43 | 0.26 | 195 | Power distribution |
| 3/0 | 85.03 | 0.20 | 225 | Power distribution |
| 4/0 | 107.22 | 0.16 | 260 | Power distribution |
| 250 | 126.68 | 0.13 | 290 | Power distribution |
| 350 | 177.35 | 0.10 | 350 | Power distribution |
| 400 | 202.68 | 0.08 | 380 | Power distribution |
The figures above are taken from Table 310.15(B)(16) in the 2014 National Electrical Code (USA) and assume a temperature rating of 90°C.[2] Also, Table 3.1 on page 69 in Introduction to Electricity was used as a template and reference.[3]
For a more complete list, please see Dr. Rowlett's unit page.
For Further Reading
For further information please see the related pages below:
- Wire
- Direct current
- Alternating current
- Electrical grid
- Or explore a random page!
References
- ↑ Wikimedia Commons. (October 3, 2015). Wire Gauge [Online]. Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Wire_gauge_(PSF).png
- ↑ "2014 National Electrical Code" Table 310.15(B)(16)
- ↑ R. Paynter and B. Boydell, Introduction to electricity. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011.
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