![]() ![]() ![]() A commonly asked question for DIYs is “How do we determine the proper size and rating for our project?” When installing circuits or working with DIY Wiring Devices, it is important to use wiring that is the right size and rating. One purpose of the circuit breaker and fuse design is to stop the power when overheated, protecting your electrical system and/or device, but you should not let them be your only form of protection. It will be a dangerous situation if you have a device drawing too much power on a circuit with an AWG rating of less than what the device is trying to use. It is important to guard against overheating by using the correct amperage rating. ![]() When working on a DIY purchasing the correct gauge wire is more practical. However, using a higher wire gauge than necessary is not economical, because of the higher cost of materials. However, if you try to run 15 Amps of electrical current through a 10-gauge wire, which is typically used for 30 Amps, you will not have any problems. If you try to overload the 14-gauge wire with 30 Amps of current, you will overheat, and the circuit will blow. For example, a 14-gauge wire can safely carry 15 Amps of electrical current. The AWG is the physical size of the wire, but each size wire is only capable of a certain amperage before it becomes dangerously hot and overheats, causing a risk of fire or shock. You can find more information in the ASTM standard B 258.Įach wire gauge has a maximum carrying capacity of electrical current, and amps, it can handle. It is a standard specification for the diameters of round wires used as electrical conductors. The American Wire Gauge (AWG), is a standard wire gauge system that has been used since 1857, mostly in North America. ![]()
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