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What is American Wire Gauge? (AWG)
When it comes to choosing the correct wire for your project, the options can be overwhelming.
With so many different types of wire and range of AWG sizes, how do you know which one you need? In this article, we will tell you what you need to know about AWG, as well as how to choose the right wire for your needs.
AWG or American Wire Gauge, is the standard way to denote wire size in North America. It was first introduced as a standard measurement way back in 1857… y’know when Buchanan was president (remember that guy?!?!).
So anyway, the system works like this: the higher the AWG number is, the smaller the wire diameter is. The smaller the number, the larger the wire diameter and thickness. I hope you got it because there will be a quiz at the end.
Because AWG is a logarithmic scale, there is a mathematical relationship between adjacent sizes. Ensuring that you are using the correct sized wire for a particular application is important to avoid any issues. Using a wire with a lower AWG rating than what is required, can result in problems such as overheating and fires. The cause of this is because the wire will have to carry more current than it is rated for, which leads to an increase of resistance and heat build-up. When possible, it is ideal to use the thickest wire possible when wiring an electrical system.
The following AWG metric conversion table converts AWG to mm and inches, and also lists the cross sectional area (mm²).
Let’s talk terminals in relation to the conversion chart.
Wire ferrules are a European invention and they are made according to European metric wire. Their dimensions are converted to AWG for the US market. Wire ferrules are unique compared to commonly found ring lugs and fork lugs because each ferrule is designed specifically for a corresponding wire size. Whereas rings and forks are made to fit a range of wire sizes (22-16 AWG, 16-14 AWG, 12-10 AWG, etc.), so they can be more forgiving when it comes to wire fitment and crimping.
Please also keep in mind that it’s always best to measure the dimensions of your naked conductor. This will give you the true dimensions of the wire so you can pick the exact terminals required for a perfect crimp fit.
Understanding the basics of AWG will allow you to choose the right wire for your next project with ease. Here at Ferrules Direct we manufacture True AWG Sizes that are CE Certified and RoHS compliant. If you have any questions or need help finding the right product for your application, feel free to contact us and one of our specialists will be happy to help!
