As you may know, the size and diameter of wire is a decisive factor that can affect the electrical properties of a conductor like the AMP rating which shall be considered in your decision and choice.
stranded wire cable
When extending or rewiring a circuit or installing a new circuit, it is important to know the correct amperage and wire gauge.
New wiring must use conductors sized for the amperage of the circuit.
The higher the circuit, the larger the wires must be to avoid overheating that could melt the wires and cause a fire.
The correct circuit size (as indicated by the amperage) is determined by several factors, including the planned load on the circuit, the number of outlets or light fixtures, and the length of the circuit.
However, once the correct amperage is determined, the wire gauge used in the circuit must be suitable for the amperage of the circuit breaker.
wire size specification
If you've ever bought cord, you've probably noticed that there are many types and sizes of cord to choose from.
Different types of wire serve different purposes, but for any of these wire types, knowing the correct wire size or gauge to determine amperage is key to making the right choice.
Wire size is determined by the American Wire Gauge (AWG) system.
Wire gauge refers to the physical size of the wire and is rated by the number opposite the conductor diameter - in other words, the lower the wire gauge number, the larger the wire diameter.
Common sizes include 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6 and 2 gauge wire.
The size of the wire determines how much current can safely pass through the wire.
Current is measured in ampacity and each wire gauge has a maximum safe carrying capacity.
For standard non-metallic (NM) cables, these amperage and wire measurement capabilities can help you calculate the required wire size.
These ratings apply to standard copper NM jacket cables, but in some cases these current ratings will vary.
For example, some homes have aluminum wiring that has its own ampacities.
Aluminum wire was once widely used, but when aluminum was found to have a greater expansion profile under load, it often loosened wire connections, sometimes causing electrical fires.
Just because you have aluminum wiring doesn't mean you're necessarily at risk, because these connections can work forever if they're not overloaded.
But it may be a good idea to evaluate and replace with copper wire.
standard wire types
Another thing to keep in mind is choosing the thread style that best suits your needs.
Some wires are twisted, while others consist of solid copper conductors.
In installations with metal pipes, the solid wire is not always easy to pull if the wire has many bends.
But solid wire is usually easier to hold under screw terminals, such as those found on standard switches and outlets.
