
What are the different gauge wires?
We’re going to simplify every wire’s characteristics (mm, mm2, amps) – from AWG 4/0 to AWG 40 gauge wire – in a systematic and concise easy-to-understand way. Example: Diameters (in mm) for AWG wires from 10 gauge wire to 28 gauge wire. This overview article about AWG gauge wires will give you all the info you need about wire sizing.
What size wire is orange sheathing?
Orange Sheathing The orange-colored wire sheathing is set aside for 10-gauge wire. It is able to handle 30-amp circuit loads. These loads include air conditioners, water heater feeds, and any other 30-amp loads.
What is the AWG gauge of a stranded wire?
For a stranded wire, the AWG gauge is the sum of the cross-sectional areas of each strand. Here, you do not count the gap between each strand. If the stranded wire is made of circular strands, holes consist of 25% of the wire area.
What gauges of wire are used for low voltage cords?
For construction and building projects, the standard wire gauges used are 10, 12, and 14. Some other applications of the wires with different gauges are- 18-gauge wire: you can use this for low-voltage lighting applications and cords

What is the orange wire in electrical?
Red or orange wires are often used to provide the secondary phase voltage in a 220-volt application. Always assume that a red or orange wire (in addition to the black wire, which provides the primary phase voltage) is live.
What gauge is orange Romex wire?
10 AWGThe cable jacket is color-coded for quick size identification; White - 14 AWG, Yellow - 12 AWG, Orange - 10 AWG, and Black - 8 AWG and 6 AWG.
What is orange cable used for?
Orange – Telecommunication, alarm or signal lines. Yellow – Gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or other flammable material. Green – Sewage and drain lines. Blue – Drinking water.
Can you tell wire gauge by color?
The color of a cable's outer sheath tells you the gauge of the wire inside the sheath as well as the amperage rating for the circuit. BLACK = 8- or 6-gauge wire, 45- or 60-amp circuits. Check sheath labeling for gauge and circuit specifics. GRAY = Underground cable.
What is orange Romex?
Romex Extra Color NM-B is a line of nonmetallic cable color-coded by gauge size. No. 14 is white, No. 12 is yellow, No. 10 is orange and No.
What is orange Romex used for?
Orange Sheathing The orange-colored wire sheathing is set aside for 10-gauge wire. It is able to handle 30-amp circuit loads. These loads include air conditioners, water heater feeds, and any other 30-amp loads.
What size is orange coax cable?
Easy to use with length markings on the cable every 2 ft. 14 AWG Copper Clad Steel Center Conductor Core / 75 Ohm / 3Ghz Swept Tested / 77% Aluminum Braid ....Product Specifications.Cable Length250 feet feetCable TypeCoaxialColorORANGECompatible DevicesTV , ModemConnector TypeCoaxial9 more rows
What kind of coax cable is orange?
RG6Connector TypeCoaxialCable TypeCoaxialCompatible DevicesTelevision, ModemColorRG6 Burial 3GHz Compression Connector - OrangeBrandPHAT SATELLITE INTL
What do the colors of wires mean?
Black wires are hot wires that run to the electrical outlet from the switch. Red wires are hot wires common in a 240-volt outlet or when a wall switch controls the outlet. Blue and yellow wires are hot wires for ceiling fans and three- or four-way switches. White or gray electrical wires are neutral wires.
What color is 16 gauge wire?
Working on an older car, so needed quality wire, AND specific colors and gauges....ColorRed Black Yellow Blue White PurpleGauge16 CCA Gauge (not AWG)3 more rows
How do I identify a wire color?
There are many wire identification standards, and many of them rely on color codes....The color code for AC power wiring is similar to the code used in the United States:Phase 1 - Red.Phase 2 - Black.Phase 3 - Blue.Neutral - White.Ground - Green with Yellow Stripe.
How do I tell what gauge wire I have?
Multiply the wire's diameter by itself. To calculate the gauge of stranded wire, you'll need to double the diameter. So, if you've measured a wire's diameter to be 0.005 inches (0.127 mm), multiply this value by itself. The result will be 0.000025 in (0.000635 mm).
Wire diameter calculations
The n gauge wire diameter d n in inches (in) is equal to 0.005in times 92 raised to the power of 36 minus gauge number n, divided by 39:
Wire cross sectional area calculations
The n gauge wire's cross sercional area A n in kilo-circular mils (kcmil) is equal to 1000 times the square wire diameter d in inches (in):
Wire resistance calculations
The n gauge wire resistance R in ohms per kilofeet (Ω/kft) is equal to 0.3048×1000000000 times the wire's resistivity ρ in ohm-meters (Ω·m) divided by 25.42 times the cross sectional area An in square inches (in2):
What gauge wire is used for 15 amp circuits?
Cable with white sheathing houses 14-gauge wire. This type of wire is used for 15-amp circuits in your home. General lighting circuits are normally the primary use of 15-amp circuits wired with 14-gauge cable, although many homes are now wiring these circuits as 20-amp circuits.
What is the color of the ground wire?
The bare copper wire in the cable is the ground wire. (In rare instances, you might find cable in which the ground wire is covered with green insulation—green is the color designated for ground wires.) In a three-wire cable, there will be a red wire in addition to the white and black wires.
What is the wire in a sheathed cable?
All cables will have a white insulated wire and a black insulated wire; these identify the neutral and the hot wires, respectively. The bare copper wire in the cable is the ground wire.
What gauge wire is used for a sub panel?
Black-sheathed cable is used for both 6- and 8-gauge wire. 8-gauge wire is rated for 45-amp circuits, while 6-gauge wire is capable of handling 60-amp circuits. The 6-gauge wire is better for a feeding a sub panel, an electric range, or a double oven, depending on the amperage rating listed on the appliance.
What is yellow wire?
Yellow color-coded cable sheathing encloses 12-gauge wires. Yellow 12-gauge cable is typically used for 20-amp circuits that power general household outlets used for a variety of plug-in appliances. Dedicated appliance circuits also call for 20-amp circuits in most cases.
Does NM cable have a color?
However, older installed cable may not have this color coding. Before about 2001, most NM cable had a white outer jacket, but since 2001, most NM-B cable has been jacketed with a vinyl outer insulation that is colored to identify it for both consumers and inspectors.
What wire colors mean?
What the Color of an Electrical Wire Means for You Black Electrical Wires. This color of wire is used to transfer power to switches and outlets in all types of circuits. Red Electrical Wires. Blue and Yellow Electrical Wires. White and Gray Electrical Wires. Green Electrical Wires.
What gauge is orange wire?
Orange Sheathing The orange-colored wire sheathing is set aside for 10-gauge wire. It is able to handle 30-amp circuit loads.
How many amps can 8 gauge wire handle?
Common sizes include 14-, 12-, 10-, 8-, 6-, and 2-gauge wire. How Wires Are Sized. Amperage Capacities for Standard Non-Metallic (NM) Cable 10-gauge wire 30 amps 8-gauge wire 40 amps 6-gauge wire 55 amps 4-gauge wire 70 amps
Can 12 gauge wire handle 30 amps?
A 30-amp breaker does not operate safely with a 12-gauge wire. The minimum wire size that is allowable for use with a 30-amp breaker is 10 gauge. A smaller gauge of wire indicates a larger diameter and the ability to carry more current safely. Twelve-gauge wire is acceptable with 20-amp or smaller circuit breakers.
What size wire is rated for 60 amps?
For 60 amps #6 wire is the right size. Use RHW or THHN type insulation. Wire of # 8 gauge is only good for 50 amps. Make sure to get stranded cable.
What size wire do I need for 240 volts?
Use 12-gauge wire for a 20-amp circuit, 10-gauge for 30 amps, 8-gauge for 40 amps, and 6-gauge for 50 amps. Check local codes for requirements.
How do you read a wire size?
Labels typically include: Wire size: Indicated by a number (such as 12, for 12-gauge) or a number followed by "AWG," for American Wire Gauge. Number of wires: Usually indicated by the number 2; landscape wiring typically has two insulated wires stuck together (similar to a lamp cord) and contains no ground wire.
10 Amps Wire Size: AWG Gauge, Breaker, Suggestion For 110V-120V Circuit
If you’re looking for wire size for a 10 amp circuit (this can be for a 10 amp 120-volt circuit, breaker, battery output), you will need an AWG with at least 10 amp rated ampacity at 75°C.
15 Amps Wire Size: AWG Gauge, Breaker, Suggestion For 110V-120V Circuit
If you’re looking for wire size for a 10 amp circuit (this can be for a 15 amp 120-volt circuit, breaker, battery output), you will need an AWG with at least 15 amp rated ampacity at 75°C.
20 Amps Wire Size: AWG Gauge, Breaker, Suggestion For 220V-240V Circuit
If you’re looking for wire size for a 20 amp circuit (this can be for a 20 amp 220-volt circuit, breaker, battery output), you will need an AWG with at least 20 amp rated ampacity at 75°C.
25 Amps Wire Size: AWG Gauge, Breaker, Suggestion For 220V-240V Circuit
If you’re looking for wire size for a 25 amp circuit (this can be for a 25 amp 220-volt circuit, breaker, battery output), you will need an AWG with at least 25 amp rated ampacity at 75°C.
30 Amps Wire Size: AWG Gauge, Breaker, Suggestion For 220V-240V Circuit
If you’re looking for wire size for a 30 amp circuit (this can be for a 30 amp 220-volt circuit, breaker, battery output), you will need an AWG with at least 30 amp rated ampacity at 75°C.
40 Amps Wire Size: AWG Gauge, Breaker, Suggestion For 220V-240V Circuit
If you’re looking for wire size for a 40 amp circuit (this can be for a 40 amp 220-volt circuit, breaker, battery output), you will need an AWG with at least 40 amp rated ampacity at 75°C.
50 Amps Wire Size: AWG Gauge, Breaker, Suggestion For 220V-240V Circuit
If you’re looking for wire size for a 50 amp circuit (this can be for a 50 amp 220-volt circuit, breaker, battery output), you will need an AWG with at least 50 amp rated ampacity at 75°C.
