what gauge?

[theob42]

hey guys,

gonna finally start wiring up my panel soon. tried searching but cant seem to find what gauge wire i need to wire up the buttons and joysticks. i have an ipac4 which they will all go to. whats the standard?

thanks

[cyapps]

I am using cat5e ethernet cable which I believe is 24 gauge. I have seen others use the same so I assumed it was fine. But the main reason I used it is because I have way to much of it on hand that I won't be using for much else and I am probably going to use the rj45 connecters so I can quickly disconnect my cp if needed.

[ideft]

I used 22 awg.

[AcidArmitage]

i used 30 gauge kynar wrapping wire  nothin's caught fire yet

[MonMotha]

For non-power applications (I/O such as controls, mostly), just about anything will suffice, but 22AWG seems to be what most arcade manufacturers used.  It's small enough to fit into most connector systems, but big enough that it has some "body" and resists mild physical abuse that the underside of controls panels sometimes sees (due to it being lifted occasionally to access broken switches, buttons, and often the monitor remote).

24AWG can also be used quite fine with some caveats.  Normal network cable is solid (and also sometimes 26AWG), which has some problems with crimping into most connector systems including common terminals.  Solid wire is also more apt to break when flexed.  Electrically, there's no real problem with 24-28AWG.  30AWG is also likely fine electrically, though over long distances even a few mA like that seen on a conventional 5V arcade I/O circuit can start to cause problems on such tiny wire.

28AWG and smaller are likely too brittle for most purposes.  Solid especially will pretty much snap the instant you bend it too much.  26AWG and smaller also may not secure into the terminal blocks on your IPAC very well.

[theob42]

ok cool so i guess ill go with the standard 22awg. what about for ground and stuff, should that be thicker? or will 22awg all around work. secondly while im at it. how would i connect the wire to the microswitches. some sort of crimping or soldering? i doubt twisting it on will be very sturdy

[MonMotha]

For IO lines like buttons and joysticks, just use 22AWG for everything.  Hook the ground up to one of the ground spots near the button I/O on the JAMMA harness (high numbered positions) or just do the appropriately listed place on an encoder.

For power, use 18AWG.  If wiring up JAMMA, use as many wires as there are positions (so 4 grounds, 4 +5V, 2 -5V, and 2 +12V - no need to wire power ground up to the 4 IO grounds at the high number positions).  Some people get by with fewer wires or 20AWG, but that can cause flakey behavior.  Spend the money, and do it right.

[theob42]

yeah my thought exactly. thanks, i dont mind spending a bit extra for better wires. i havent bought any wire yet so i want whatevers best. oh and btw im wiring it up to an IPAC4 and an OPTIPAC. 4 player cab with 2 u360 and 2 happ joysticks.
so for the ground i just wire it into the ground for the ipac and thats it? well yeah i know i gotta daisy chain all the buttons but all of the ground goes into there. sorry havent wired anything before so wanna do it right the first time