How is wire gauge determined

When selecting an electrically conductive wire for an application, gauge is an important design consideration. However, the right gauge depends on a variety of factors.

For example, electrical circuits with higher amperage ratings require thicker wires to accommodate the load without experiencing excessive heat buildup. Using wires that are too thin for the specified circuit amperage can result in wire failure or ignition. Avoiding these issues necessitates identifying the total amperage of a system—by calculating the effects of the planned load, the connected load, and the circuit length—and choosing a wire that is appropriate for it.

The gauge of a wire imparts more than information about its thickness. Given its gauge, industry professionals can determine the following about a particular wire:. As each wire gauge carries different physical and electrical properties, they are generally suitable for different purposes.

Thinner gauges usually find application in more lightweight applications, while thicker gauges are employed for heavy-duty applications. Some common use cases for different wire gauges are outlined below: Gauge 4………………………………………………………………….

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Not Helpful 3 Helpful 0. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Wire gauges are most commonly used in work with either electrical wiring or jewelry.

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By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Follow Us. The drawing and stretching decreases the physical size of the wire making it longer and thinner. Wire drawing then, increases the gauge of a wire. In doing so it also reduces the current that can flow through the wire. Subsequently, the reduced current in larger gauged wires also decreases the amperage the wire can handle.

Wire gauge sizes are also used to calculate how much wire is necessary to conduct a signal or electricity. Determining wire gauge sizes along with type of wire material to use in any application or system translates into cost savings.

Email Us or Call Search. Common sizes include , , , 8-, 6-, and 2-gauge wire. The size of the wire dictates how much current can safely pass through the wire. Electrical current is measured in ampacity , and each wire gauge has a maximum safe carrying capacity. For standard non-metallic NM cable, these amperage capacities are:. These ratings are for standard copper NM sheathed cable, but there are instances where these amperage ratings vary.

For example, there is aluminum wiring in some homes, and aluminum wires have their own ampacity-carrying capacity. Aluminum wiring was once widely used, but because it was found that aluminum had a greater expansion profile under load, it often loosened wire connections and sometimes caused electrical fires.

That is not to say you are necessarily at risk just because you have aluminum wiring, because those connections may work forever if not overloaded. But an evaluation and replacement with copper wiring may be a good idea. One more thing to keep in mind is to select the style of wire that best fits your needs. Some wire is stranded, while other wire consists of a solid copper conductor.

In installations using metal conduit, the solid wire doesn't always pull as easily if the conduit has a large number of bends. But solid wire is usually easier to secure under screw terminals, such as those found on standard switches and receptacles. In standard usage, though, the wire conductors in conduit or NM cable for household wiring will be , or gauge wire that is a solid copper conductor.