Circuits, amperage ratings, and wires with endless gauge options are enough to drive even the savviest of DIYers toward a semester of electrician training. Luckily for you, it doesn’t have to be quite so confusing. At the root of it, wiring requires conductors that match the strength of the current (amperage) in a circuit.
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As the amperage rating increases, you’ll need to help your outlets keep up by using larger gauge wires to disperse some of the heart. Otherwise, you might notice your plugs get hot as the wires melt, and, well, that’s not a good sign. But how do you know what gauge wire for outlets is right for your home? Your best choice will depend on the load on the circuit, the number of outlets in your home, how many fixtures you have, and the length of the circuit. Keep reading to learn more.
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What Is a Wire Gauge?
A wire’s gauge is just its size as determined by the American Wire Gauge (AWG) system. To simplify, when you talk about wire gauges, you’re talking about the physical size of the wires.
The system places numerical size designations on wires, but it works in reverse. The smaller the wire gauge number, the larger the wire’s diameter. Common sizes include 2-, 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, 14-, and 16-gauge wires. A wire’s size dictates how much current can safely pass through it during use. Smaller numbers (which, remember, are bigger wires) can handle more current than larger numbers.
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How Does Wire Gauge Impact Electrical Current?
As previously stated, a wire’s gauge, or size, determines how much current passes through safely. But, how exactly? Electrical current is measured in amps, and each specific wire gauge boasts a maximum safe amperage-carrying capacity.
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When dealing with standard non-metallic (NM) cables, like copper-sheathed wires, it’s easy to match maximum amperage levels to the overall wire gauge. As long as your electrical current needs do not go beyond the amp rating of the wire’s gauge, you’re good to go. Here’s how these two metrics connect:
As we touched on before, you’ll notice that the smallest number in the table (2) can handle the most amps (95) because it’s actually the largest in diameter of all the gauges on the list.
What About Aluminum Wiring?
Some homes feature aluminum wiring instead of copper wiring. Aluminum wiring has its own amp-carrying capacity, so don’t rely on the previous information if your home features aluminum wires. Generally speaking, aluminum and copper wires carry similar electrical loads when it comes to larger-gauge wires. However, as the gauge decreases and the wire size increases, aluminum’s overall capacity begins to shrink much quicker than copper’s capacity.
Aluminum wires also expand more than copper wires when under stress, which can lead to loosened connections and even electrical fires. This is why it’s incredibly important to talk to a pro about aluminum wire sizes and anything else relating to aluminum electrical components in your home. Talk to a local electrician to see if converting from aluminum to copper wires is a good idea for your needs.
Stranded vs. Solid Wires
Beyond size, it is worth considering the overall design of the wires in your home. In most scenarios, you’ll have solid or stranded wires. This does not refer to the sheathing (some wires boast stranded exteriors) but the shape of the wire itself.
Stranded Wires
Stranded wires split off into thin bundles that are each insulated with non-conductive materials.
This is the standard design in most homes and is likely what you picture when imagining a wire. The strands give these wires incredible flexibility, making them great for fitting into tight spaces or twisting to fit certain setups. The downside? There’s a slight decrease in maximum current capacity when compared to solid wires.
Solid Wires
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Solid wires consist of a solid conductor that does not bend in the same way that stranded wires do. This decreases installation options, particularly if your conduit has plenty of twists and turns. The upside? Solid wires offer higher current capacity and more durability.
Generally speaking, solid wires are the preferred choice for outdoor setups where you have plenty of room, and stranded wires are the best option for indoor setups where conserving space is a priority.
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How to Safely Power Your Appliances and Gadgets
All of this information leads to one conclusion. Pay attention to the electrical loads of your appliances and gadgets, and make sure your circuit doesn’t exceed the amount of power the wire gauge in that circuit is rated for. There are systems in place to protect against overheating wires, like circuit breakers and fuses, but these devices are not foolproof. Your best bet is to perform some simple electrical load calculations to guard against exceeding the limits of the amp service in your house’s circuits.
Danger lurks whenever an appliance or gadget tries to draw more power on a circuit than the wire gauge can handle, leading to overloading and, in some instances, electrical fires. For instance, if a heater rated for 20 amps plugs into a 15-amp circuit wired with 14-gauge wire (which can only handle 15 amps), you’ll likely run into trouble. The reverse, however, is not true, so feel free to plug appliances with low electrical loads into heavy-duty circuits and wires.
Go through your home and make a note of the amp ratings for various wires. Do the same for the circuits. Double-check that the power draw is below the threshold of both items.
What About Household Extension Cords?
Common household extension cords represent extreme danger when used incorrectly. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Division, extension cords contribute to nearly 5,000 residential fires each year and 2,200 shock-related injuries.
These cords typically feature low amperage ratings, so it’s really easy to overload them, especially when delivering power to heavy-duty appliances. Limit the use of extension cords when powering items like portable heaters, microwaves, and dishwashers. If you must use extension cords throughout the home, opt for heavy-duty cords with high amperage ratings.
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