Wire gauge determines the thickness of a wire, with higher numbers indicating thinner wires. American Wire Gauge (AWG) and Metric Wire Gauge (MWG) are the two standards. Thicker wires have lower resistance, less flickering, and more stable power. Improperly wired fuses can cause continuous tripping and fire hazards. Thicker wires are required for larger fuses and appliances. Thicker speaker wires provide better sound quality. Oxygen-free wire is recommended for speaker wires. Always check local building codes and have new wiring inspected.
Wire gauge refers to the diameter of a wire. The higher the gauge number, the thinner the wire. There are two standards: American Wire Gauge (AWG) and Metric Wire Gauge (MWG). Depending on its purpose, a thin wire might be fine, but for other jobs, a thicker wire will do a better job and protect against melting shorts caused by overheating. Because using the wrong size wires can cause electrical fires, all wires must be inspected and legally approved during new construction or remodeling.
In the United States, many building codes permit the use of #4 gauge wire. 14 throughout the house for branch circuits (lighting), but these codes represent the minimum safety standard. Many electricians recommend #12 AWG instead. Thicker wire has lower resistance and can result in less flickering of the light and more stable power with minimal heat loss. The thicker wire is also rated for 20 amp fuses, while lighting fuses are typically only 15 amps.
The lighting and appliance fuses are housed in a circuit breaker panel fixed to the exterior of the enclosure. Fuses are designed to trip if connected wiring gets hot. This occurs if the electrical load on the wire is large enough to build up excessive heat. Thicker wire can carry higher electrical loads without overheating than thinner wire. Improperly wired fuses can cause continuous tripping and present a possible fire hazard.
Most circuit panels house a variety of fuse types for different purposes. Larger fuses intended to run household appliances or air conditioners require a thicker wire gauge than smaller fuses used for lighting. For example, a thread no. #10 might be standard for a 30 amp fuse, but #10 copper wire. 8 thicker will provide better protection.
One of the most common reasons a non-electrician becomes familiar with wire gauges is when choosing speaker wire. A thicker wire will be able to hold the low tones better and over a greater distance than a thinner wire. Thicker wire also tends to give a fuller, cleaner sound overall than thin wire. This is because when a signal travels through the wire, the resistance leads to signal degradation. A cable with section no. 12 is a typical choice for high-end entertainment systems, while some prefer #1 gauge wire. 10 for the subwoofer or bass speaker.
Wire can be purchased by the foot (or meter) from hardware or home improvement stores. If purchasing speaker wire, oxygen-free wire is usually recommended. Make sure you overestimate your needs to avoid having to splice cables together. Always check local building codes before starting construction and be sure to have new wiring inspected.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
