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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: DrewKaree on March 08, 2004, 12:43:53 am

Title: Is 16 AWG wire too big to use?
Post by: DrewKaree on March 08, 2004, 12:43:53 am

I can get access to 16 & 14 AWG wire @ a good price.  I can ALSO get 22 AWG for the same price, so the price IS NOT that good that I would consider using 16/14 if a thinner gauge is a preferable/better material.  I've already priced the disconnects, and I can get comparable  pricing on the larger size needed for this wire, so that's a non-issue.

If this was a little convoluted, let me know.

Title: Re:Is 16 AWG wire too big to use?
Post by: alphasqorner on March 08, 2004, 01:15:41 am

I'm not sure if it's 16 or 18 gauge that I ended up using, but my ground wiring is of that gauge and works fine.  While for the non-ground connections I am using 22 gauge simply because I had access to multicolor wiring of that size (wanted for organizational purposes).

I think using the thinner gauge would be better simply because it is easier to clean up the wiring via twisting and cable ties(or whatever).  

Just my 2 cents anyway...

Title: Re:Is 16 AWG wire too big to use?
Post by: Stormy151 on March 08, 2004, 02:13:15 am

If it's just for buttons/joysticks, 22 ga would be the better choice IMO, as it's easier to work with, also the load is going to be pretty much negligible. The larger gauge would be more for if you had a larger load/more current, or were moving voltage over a long distance.

If you are daisy chaining your grounds through a terminal strip, the 16 would be good for connecting the strip to the ground lug.

But if you can't get anything else, the 16 ga would work. :)

Title: Re:Is 16 AWG wire too big to use?
Post by: Trenchbroom on March 08, 2004, 02:27:30 am

I just redid my panel--22 guage all the way if you are using .187 disconnects.  I bought 18 guage by mistake and it was too big to daisy chain with.