[R-390] Can someone tell me...

[Bill Hawkins]

Current-carrying capacity isn't just a matter of wire size.
The wire is just a resistor (unless the frequency is high).

The problem is heat dissipation. It matters where the
insulation melts or catches fire, and how many wires are in
a bundle, and what covers the bundle, like conduit.

Short wires may be cooler than long wires because of the
heat sink effect at the terminations.

Basically, if the wire gets hot, it's too small. Just like
picking the right wattage for a resistor.

Bill Hawkins


-----Original Message-----
From: Barry
Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2009 2:04 PM

How much current can 20-gauge (or other gauge) wire handle for normal
chassis-wiring applications.  The wire I have is stranded,
silver-plated, Teflon-coated stuff (very nice wire).  Looking at the
various charts on the internet, the values seem to be all over the place
so not sure what to trust.  Perhaps they're based on different
A/circular mil -- dunno.

Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ