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FranTo determine the best gauge of wire to use for a specific application, consider factors such as the amount of current the wire needs to carry, the voltage involved, the length of the wire run, and any environmental conditions that may impact the wire. Use a wire gauge chart to find the appropriate wire gauge that can handle the current load without overheating.
Wire sizes are calculated on the amperage that the load draws. For a certain load amps you will need a specific wire size and a breaker to match the amperage flowing through that wire. A few common wire sizes and amperages you would find in your house #14 - 15 amps, #12 - 20 amps, #10 - 30 amps and #8 - 40 amps. These are published in the electrical code book.
Several different factors must always be considered when deciding the correct wire size to use:
- amperage, which is the current to be supplied, measured in amps?
- length of wire-run?
- installation situation/site conditions?
- run inside a conduit?
- exposed to the air fixed to a wall?
- extreme heat?
- damp conditions?
- underground?
To get the right answers refer to the Wiring Codes or Regulations for your locality. (Town/State.)
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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.
Before you do any work yourself,
on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,
always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
To select an appropriate wire guage you must need electric appliance wattage and divide it with volt (i.e. 1000 watt electric iron just 1000/220=4.54 amp) Do remember to divide your amp with .80 because you will never to want to put the load according to the wire capacity, by dividing .80 mean wire does has appro. 20% more capacity than the appliance. so now you have 1000/220/.80=5.68 amp. now you can easily find out the proper guage by visiting the Chart as below or any one else: -
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-C8qXuqgSdrg/learn/learningcenter/car/cable_gauge_chart.html
You are also advised to take professional's guidence as per the above given information is collected from the internet.
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How do you tell what gauge wire you have in your house?
To determine the gauge of wire in your house, look for markings on the insulation or jacket of the wire. It usually indicates the gauge size, such as 14, 12, or 10. You can also use a wire gauge measuring tool to accurately determine the wire gauge.
What gauge is use on low votage?
For low voltage wiring, typically smaller gauge wire is used, such as 18 or 20 gauge. The specific gauge will depend on the current requirements of the circuit and the distance the wire needs to run. It's important to consult the manufacturer's recommendations or local building codes to determine the appropriate wire gauge for your application.
What gauge wire should be used to run a 230v motor 90 ft away?
For a 230V motor running 90ft away, it is recommended to use at least 12-gauge wire to minimize voltage drop and ensure efficient operation. However, it is always best to consult the motor's specifications and a qualified electrician to determine the most appropriate wire gauge for your specific setup.
Can you use 10 gauge wire to connect a 2 15 amp outlets to a 30 amp breaker?
No, it is not safe to use 10 gauge wire with a 30 amp breaker as the wire is not rated for that high of a current. It is important to use the correct wire gauge that matches the breaker amperage to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards. For a 30 amp breaker, you should use at least 10 gauge wire.
Can you splice a 10 ga wire to a 20 ga wire?
It is not recommended to splice two wires of significantly different gauges together as it can lead to overheating and potential fire hazards. It is best to use appropriate connectors or terminals to join wires of different gauges.
