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What is Wire Gauge?

R. Kayne
R. Kayne

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 gauge might be fine, but for other jobs, a thicker wire will do a better job and protect against shorts from melting caused by overheating. Since using the wrong size of wire can lead to electrical fires, all wiring must be legally inspected and approved during new construction or remodeling.

In the United States many building codes allow for #14 gauge wire throughout the house for branch circuits (lighting), but these codes represent the minimal safety standard. Many electricians recommend #12 AWG instead. The thicker wire has lower resistance and can result in less light flicker and steadier power with minimal heat loss. The thicker wire is also rated for 20-amp fuses, while lighting fuses are typically only 15-amps.

Thicker wire guages are needed for fuses intended to run air conditioners.
Thicker wire guages are needed for fuses intended to run air conditioners.

Lighting and appliance fuses are located in a circuit breaker panel secured to the outside of the structure. Fuses are designed to trip off if connected wiring overheats. This occurs if the electrical load on the wire is great enough to build up excessive heat. A thicker wire can pass greater electrical loads without overheating, compared to thinner wires. Improperly wired fuses can lead to continual tripping and present a possible fire hazard.

Thicker wire gauges are needed to maintain bass tones on entertainment speakers.
Thicker wire gauges are needed to maintain bass tones on entertainment speakers.

Most circuit panels house a variety of fuse types to serve different purposes. Larger fuses intended to run appliances or air conditioners require a thicker wire gauge than smaller fuses used for lighting. For example, a #10 wire might be standard for a 30-amp fuse, but a thicker #8 copper wire will provide better protection.

One of the most common reasons for a non-electrician to become familiar with wire gauges is when choosing speaker wire. Thicker wire will be able to maintain bass tones better, and over a longer distance than thinner wire. Thicker wire also tends to deliver fuller, cleaner sound in general, compared to thin wire. This is because as a signal travels through wire, resistance leads to signal degradation. A #12 wire gauge is a typical choice for high quality entertainment systems, while some prefer a #10 gauge wire for the subwoofer, or bass speaker.

For subwoofers, 10-gauge wire is recommended.
For subwoofers, 10-gauge wire is recommended.

Wire can be purchased by the foot (or meter) from hardware or home improvement stores. If purchasing speaker wire, oxygen-free wire is typically recommended. Be sure to overestimate your needs to avoid having to splice wire together. Always check local building codes before starting construction and be sure to have new wiring inspected.

Discussion Comments

anon330161

We recently rewired an old medicine chest that has attached fluorescent tubes. We used 14 gauge romex simpull wire. The lights seem much brighter now than before. Is this okay?

anon46210

Rae, The thicker wire means less resistance and less resistance means less current drop, not more current. The more the resistance, the more likely heat will build increasing the chance for a fire.

anon33176

Thanks! Physics confuses me. -Rae

anon32311

You were good right up until the last conclusion. :) Less resistance means that the current flowing through the wire is not degraded or interfered with, so that the signal arrives strong and true.

The *amount* of electricity that is run through a wire should be carefully matched to the wire's capacity. No matter how thick a wire is, if you run ENOUGH electricity through it, you can cause it to overheat. That's why appliances and devices are rated to use a certain gauge wire... and also why they put inline fuses in wires (like in autos), to cut the flow if the wire starts to overheat.

In general, a good rule of thumb is to use a little bit thicker wire than is called for, as it will have a greater working capacity that should exceed the needs of the device, therefore delivering good signal without threat of overheating.

anon31740

It's a very good article and even solved a few of my queries. Thicker wire means less resistance and less resistance means more current so technically, thicker wire should lead to overheating? Right?

I'm very confused. Rae

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    • Thicker wire guages are needed for fuses intended to run air conditioners.
      By: Le Do
      Thicker wire guages are needed for fuses intended to run air conditioners.
    • Thicker wire gauges are needed to maintain bass tones on entertainment speakers.
      By: Alex Kalmbach
      Thicker wire gauges are needed to maintain bass tones on entertainment speakers.
    • For subwoofers, 10-gauge wire is recommended.
      By: Roman Milert
      For subwoofers, 10-gauge wire is recommended.