Choosing a right High Guage Wire

[John Khan]

Hi,

I am looking for a hookup wire or a wire that can sustain somewhere
between 20A and 400 Volts. I tried Digi key and some 10 and 12 AWG
wire but the data sheets do not tell me that how much current these
wires can carry.

I do not know how to calculate the current carrying capacity of the
conductor by reading data sheets. I also do not know what guage of
wire will work fine and stranded or solid wire will be good.

For Example, I found the following wire at Digi key website but could
not figure out how much current it can carry

Digikey Link: http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?lang=en&site=us&KeyWords=C2104W-100-ND

Data Sheet : http://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data%20Sheets/General%20Cable%20PDFs/C2100-2119A.pdf


Thanks

John

 

[Jamie]

John Khan wrote:

Hi,

I am looking for a hookup wire or a wire that can sustain somewhere
between 20A and 400 Volts. I tried Digi key and some 10 and 12 AWG
wire but the data sheets do not tell me that how much current these
wires can carry.

I do not know how to calculate the current carrying capacity of the
conductor by reading data sheets. I also do not know what guage of
wire will work fine and stranded or solid wire will be good.

For Example, I found the following wire at Digi key website but could
not figure out how much current it can carry

Digikey Link: http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?lang=en&site=us&KeyWords=C2104W-100-ND

Data Sheet : http://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data%20Sheets/General%20Cable%20PDFs/C2100-2119A.pdf


Thanks

John
It depends on the physical use of the wire? If this is to be a

flexible lead wire then you need something like rubber cord or single
lead of polyurethane with a high strain count, something in the
neighborhood of
19 strains or more.

If this to be in side a cabinet (enclosure and not meant to move
around), then use MTW type wire (Machine Tool Wire). If you are passing
this wire in race ways or maybe in some situation where oil, grease or
something may come in contact with it, use THHN type wire..

These wires I just quoted are good for 600V except for the rubber cord
or polyurethane, those you need to make sure you have the spec'd voltage
when ordering. They normally come in 300,600 and up in voltages.

For 20 AMPs on medium runs, 12 AWG is good. You didn't specify the
length of the run, which is important. In your case, if you are over 150
feet or more, I would drop down to 10 AWG. The idea it to not have no
more than ~ 5% voltage drop on the load side. Getting the ohms per unit
can help you with this calculation. Remember that many unit measurements
are in 1K foot unit. But you do need to check the unit they are using
when using the table data.

P.S.

If you are in need for a series of wires that may be in some sort of
constant articulation movement device, then use FESTOON wire, which is a
ribbon type of wire designed to roll for movement.

Also remember, this MTW and THHN is intended to be inside a cabinet or
race way, like EMT pipe, greed field, Liquid tight flex, armor (MC) etc.

Jamie

 

[John Fields]

On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:02:25 -0700 (PDT), John Khan
<m.john.khan@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

I am looking for a hookup wire or a wire that can sustain somewhere
between 20A and 400 Volts. I tried Digi key and some 10 and 12 AWG
wire but the data sheets do not tell me that how much current these
wires can carry.

I do not know how to calculate the current carrying capacity of the
conductor by reading data sheets. I also do not know what guage of
wire will work fine and stranded or solid wire will be good.

---
How long does the run have to be?

--
JF

 

[Peter Bennett]

On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:02:25 -0700 (PDT), John Khan
<m.john.khan@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

I am looking for a hookup wire or a wire that can sustain somewhere
between 20A and 400 Volts. I tried Digi key and some 10 and 12 AWG
wire but the data sheets do not tell me that how much current these
wires can carry.

The maximum current a wire can carry depends on its environment. In
some cases the Electrical Code or other rules may specify limits. For
normal house wiring, #14 can be used for up to 15 amps, #20 to 20
amps, and #10 to 30 amps when used in the usual two-wire cables. If
multiple wires are run in a bundle or conduit, the allowable current
(ampacity) is reduced. For long cable runs, a larger wire may be
required to reduce voltage drop.

The voltage rating of a wire depends on insulation type and thickness,
and is independent of current handling capability.

I do not know how to calculate the current carrying capacity of the
conductor by reading data sheets. I also do not know what guage of
wire will work fine and stranded or solid wire will be good.

For Example, I found the following wire at Digi key website but could
not figure out how much current it can carry

Digikey Link: http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?lang=en&site=us&KeyWords=C2104W-100-ND

Data Sheet : http://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data%20Sheets/General%20Cable%20PDFs/C2100-2119A.pdf


Thanks

John

--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
peterbb (at) telus.net
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

Peter Bennett wrote:

On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:02:25 -0700 (PDT), John Khan
m.john.khan@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

I am looking for a hookup wire or a wire that can sustain somewhere
between 20A and 400 Volts. I tried Digi key and some 10 and 12 AWG
wire but the data sheets do not tell me that how much current these
wires can carry.

The maximum current a wire can carry depends on its environment. In
some cases the Electrical Code or other rules may specify limits. For
normal house wiring, #14 can be used for up to 15 amps, #20 to 20

You mean #12, not #20.


--
You can't have a sense of humor, if you have no sense.

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

John Khan wrote:

Hi,

I am looking for a hookup wire or a wire that can sustain somewhere
between 20A and 400 Volts. I tried Digi key and some 10 and 12 AWG
wire but the data sheets do not tell me that how much current these
wires can carry.

I do not know how to calculate the current carrying capacity of the
conductor by reading data sheets. I also do not know what guage of
wire will work fine and stranded or solid wire will be good.

For Example, I found the following wire at Digi key website but could
not figure out how much current it can carry

Digikey Link: http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?lang=en&site=us&KeyWords=C2104W-100-ND

Data Sheet : http://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data%20Sheets/General%20Cable%20PDFs/C2100-2119A.pdf

Hookup wire is usually made in 300 V and 600 V ratings.

What are you going to use the wire for? The current rating varies
for single conductor, bundled conductors, sheathed or open, and if used
to wind a transformer.

Find a copy of the ARRL handbook for a lot of useful, basic
information. They are worth the price, if you can't borrow a copy.

--
You can't have a sense of humor, if you have no sense.

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

Jamie wrote:

John Khan wrote:

Hi,

I am looking for a hookup wire or a wire that can sustain somewhere
between 20A and 400 Volts. I tried Digi key and some 10 and 12 AWG
wire but the data sheets do not tell me that how much current these
wires can carry.

I do not know how to calculate the current carrying capacity of the
conductor by reading data sheets. I also do not know what guage of
wire will work fine and stranded or solid wire will be good.

For Example, I found the following wire at Digi key website but could
not figure out how much current it can carry

Digikey Link: http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?lang=en&site=us&KeyWords=C2104W-100-ND

Data Sheet : http://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data%20Sheets/General%20Cable%20PDFs/C2100-2119A.pdf


Thanks

John
It depends on the physical use of the wire? If this is to be a
flexible lead wire then you need something like rubber cord or single
lead of polyurethane with a high strain count, something in the
neighborhood of
19 strains or more.

The word is 'strand or strands', Maynard. You claim to work for a
wire manufacturer, and can't even use the right word. So much for you
working for 'The original Brand Rex'.


--
You can't have a sense of humor, if you have no sense.

 

[Rich Webb]

On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:02:25 -0700 (PDT), John Khan
<m.john.khan@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

I am looking for a hookup wire or a wire that can sustain somewhere
between 20A and 400 Volts. I tried Digi key and some 10 and 12 AWG
wire but the data sheets do not tell me that how much current these
wires can carry.

I do not know how to calculate the current carrying capacity of the
conductor by reading data sheets. I also do not know what guage of
wire will work fine and stranded or solid wire will be good.

Please do not take offense but if you are asking these questions for
"hookup wire ... between 20A and 400 volts" then you are unlikely to be
able to properly implement or even evaluate the answers. This isn't like
rewiring a table lamp. Hire a qualified electrician.

--
Rich Webb Norfolk, VA

 

[John G]

Rich Webb submitted this idea :

On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:02:25 -0700 (PDT), John Khan
m.john.khan@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

I am looking for a hookup wire or a wire that can sustain somewhere
between 20A and 400 Volts. I tried Digi key and some 10 and 12 AWG
wire but the data sheets do not tell me that how much current these
wires can carry.

I do not know how to calculate the current carrying capacity of the
conductor by reading data sheets. I also do not know what guage of
wire will work fine and stranded or solid wire will be good.

Please do not take offense but if you are asking these questions for
"hookup wire ... between 20A and 400 volts" then you are unlikely to be
able to properly implement or even evaluate the answers. This isn't like
rewiring a table lamp. Hire a qualified electrician.

That would be my answer too.
There are too too many variables in this question to rely on an answer
that may well be right out of context.
20 amps at 400 volts is a lot of power for "hookup" wire and being used
by someone who does not understand the simple math involved.

It is no discrace to not know and ask but the problem is way beyond the
limits of simple usenet answers.

--
John G

 

[BeeJ]

Wire rating is based on temperature rise typically for a bundle.
Any gauge wire will handle 20 amperes of a while and then melt or glow
red or feel warm or be appropriate. Google for wire gauges at wire
manufacturers' and get a table of reasonable gauges for you
application.

--
So where are we?
Not the street address.
Not the city.
Not the country.
Not the Earth.
Not the Solar System.
Not the Galaxy.
Not the Universe.
Not the Brane.
So where is the Brane?
Where are we?

Life is but a dream!

 

[newshound]

On 26/04/2012 03:35, John G wrote:

Rich Webb submitted this idea :
On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:02:25 -0700 (PDT), John Khan
m.john.khan@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

I am looking for a hookup wire or a wire that can sustain somewhere
between 20A and 400 Volts. I tried Digi key and some 10 and 12 AWG
wire but the data sheets do not tell me that how much current these
wires can carry.

I do not know how to calculate the current carrying capacity of the
conductor by reading data sheets. I also do not know what guage of
wire will work fine and stranded or solid wire will be good.

Please do not take offense but if you are asking these questions for
"hookup wire ... between 20A and 400 volts" then you are unlikely to be
able to properly implement or even evaluate the answers. This isn't like
rewiring a table lamp. Hire a qualified electrician.

That would be my answer too.
There are too too many variables in this question to rely on an answer
that may well be right out of context.
20 amps at 400 volts is a lot of power for "hookup" wire and being used
by someone who does not understand the simple math involved.

It is no discrace to not know and ask but the problem is way beyond the
limits of simple usenet answers.

Yes, but if the OP said what he was actually trying to do, instead of

posing what he (mistakenly) thought was a valid technical question we
could give him better guidance (and it might actually be a simple, low
risk problem).