Electrical wires come in different gauges or sizes. In North America it is denoted by American Wire Gauge (AWG) , while in other regions such as Africa, Asia, Europe, etc. It is denoted by square millimeter (mm2). Each gauge has a different conductor diameter, conductor resistance, conductor ampacity, etc. In the following we have outlined:
1. What is AWG cable?
2. AWG cable chart
3. How to choose AWG cable specification?
What is awg wire meaning?
AWG cables are cables in which the diameter of the wire is determined according to the American Wire Gauge (AWG) standard.AWG is a widely adopted system for measuring the diameter of electrical wires that has been used in the United States since 1857 and has been adopted in many countries.
The American Wire Gauge (AWG) system is used to quantify the diameter and cross-sectional area of solid round wires. The AWG number indicates the number of holes through which the copper wire passes during the drawing process. The larger the AWG value, the smaller the diameter of the wire, as finer wires require more drawing operations. Conversely, the smaller the wire gauge number, the larger the actual cable size will be and the thicker the wire will be. For example, 14AWG is thicker than 16AWG wire and can carry more current, while 20AWG is very thin.
Also we sometimes have the misconception that the awg size is inclusive of the insulation around the wire. This is actually incorrect! This thickness affects the amount of current that can safely pass through the wire. It’s like choosing a straw: a wider straw (e.g., 10 AWG) will hold more liquid (or current) than a narrower straw (e.g., 12 AWG).
Awg Wire Gauge Conversion Chart
| AWG | Diameter | Diameter | Cross-sectional area | Max conductor resistace at 20° C | Normal Ampacity | Max Ampactiy | AWG | Diameter | Diameter | Cross-sectional area | Max conductor resistace at 20° C | Normal Ampacity | Max Ampactiy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mm | inch | (mm²） | Ω/km | (A） | (A） | mm | inch | (mm²） | Ω/km | (A） | (A） | ||
| 0000 | 11.68 | 0.46 | 107.22 | 0.17 | 423.2 | 482.6 | 22 | 0.643 | 0.0253 | 0.3247 | 54.3 | 1.280 | 1.460 |
| 000 | 10.4 | 0.4096 | 85.01 | 0.21 | 335.5 | 382.6 | 23 | 0.574 | 0.0226 | 0.2588 | 48.5 | 1.022 | 1.165 |
| 00 | 9.27 | 0.3648 | 67.43 | 0.25 | 266.2 | 303.5 | 24 | 0.511 | 0.0201 | 0.2047 | 89.4 | 0.808 | 0.921 |
| 0 | 8.25 | 0.3249 | 53.49 | 0.33 | 211.1 | 240.7 | 25 | 0.44 | 0.0179 | 0.1624 | 79.6 | 0.641 | 0.731 |
| 1 | 7.35 | 0.2993 | 42.41 | 0.42 | 167.4 | 190.9 | 26 | 0.404 | 0.0159 | 0.1281 | 143 | 0.506 | 0.577 |
| 2 | 6.54 | 0.2576 | 33.62 | 0.53 | 132.7 | 151.3 | 27 | 0.381 | 0.0142 | 0.1021 | 128 | 0.403 | 0.460 |
| 3 | 5.83 | 0.2294 | 26.67 | 0.66 | 105.2 | 120.0 | 28 | 0.32 | 0.0126 | 0.0804 | 227 | 0.318 | 0.362 |
| 4 | 5.19 | 0.2043 | 21.15 | 0.84 | 83.5 | 95.2 | 29 | 0.287 | 0.0113 | 0.0647 | 289 | 0.255 | 0.291 |
| 5 | 4.62 | 0.1819 | 16.77 | 1.06 | 66.2 | 75.5 | 30 | 0.254 | 0.01 | 0.0507 | 381 | 0.200 | 0.228 |
| 6 | 4.11 | 0.162 | 13.3 | 1.33 | 52.5 | 59.9 | 31 | 0.226 | 0.0089 | 0.0401 | 321 | 0.158 | 0.181 |
| 7 | 3.67 | 0.1443 | 10.55 | 1.68 | 41.6 | 42.5 | 32 | 0.203 | 0.008 | 0.0316 | 583 | 0.128 | 0.146 |
| 8 | 3.26 | 0.1285 | 8.37 | 2.11 | 33.0 | 37.7 | 33 | 0.18 | 0.0071 | 0.0255 | 944 | 0.101 | 0.115 |
| 9 | 2.91 | 0.1144 | 6.63 | 2.67 | 26.2 | 29.8 | 34 | 0.16 | 0.0063 | 0.0201 | 958 | 0.079 | 0.091 |
| 10 | 2.59 | 0.1019 | 5.26 | 3.36 | 20.8 | 23.7 | 35 | 0.142 | 0.0056 | 0.0169 | 1200 | 0. 063 | 0.072 |
| 11 | 2.3 | 0.0907 | 4.17 | 4.24 | 16.5 | 18.8 | 36 | 0.127 | 0.005 | 0.0127 | 1530 | 0.050 | 0.057 |
| 12 | 2.05 | 0.0808 | 3.332 | 5.31 | 13.1 | 14.9 | 37 | 0.114 | 0.0045 | 0.0038 | 1377 | 0. 041 | 0.046 |
| 13 | 1.82 | 0.072 | 2.627 | 6.69 | 10.4 | 11.8 | 38 | 0.102 | 0.004 | 0.0081 | 2400 | 0.032 | 0.036 |
| 14 | 1.63 | 0.0641 | 2.075 | 8.45 | 8.2 | 9.4 | 39 | 0.089 | 0.0035 | 0.0062 | 2100 | 0. 025 | 0.028 |
| 15 | 1.45 | 0.0571 | 1.645 | 10.6 | 6.5 | 7.4 | 40 | 0.079 | 0.0031 | 0.0049 | 4080 | 0. 019 | 0.022 |
| 16 | 1.29 | 0.0508 | 1.318 | 13.5 | 5.2 | 5.9 | 41 | 0.071 | 0.0028 | 0.004 | 3685 | 0. 016 | 0.018 |
| 17 | 1.15 | 0.0453 | 1.025 | 16.3 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 42 | 0.064 | 0.0025 | 0.0032 | 6300 | 0.013 | 0.014 |
| 18 | 1.02 | 0.0403 | 0.8107 | 21.4 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 43 | 0.055 | 0.0022 | 0.0025 | 5544 | 0. 010 | 0.011 |
| 19 | 0.912 | 0.0359 | 0.5667 | 26.9 | 2.6 | 2.9 | 44 | 0.051 | 0.002 | 0.002 | 10200 | 0. 008 | 0.009 |
| 20 | 0.813 | 0.032 | 0.6169 | 33.9 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 45 | 0.045 | 0.0018 | 0.0016 | 9180 | 0. 006 | 0.007 |
| 21 | 0.724 | 0.0285 | 0.4116 | 42.7 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 46 | 0.041 | 0.0016 | 0.003 | 16300 | 0. 005 | 0.006 |
The table details AWG cable sizes and you can use the table to easily convert convert awg to mm2. For clarity, AWG No. 4/0 is also referred to as AWG No. 0000 . No. 1/0 AWG is also referred to as “single stranded wire”. Starting with AWG No. 1, it is referred to as “No. 1 wire.”
In terms of AWG current rating, for example, a 10 AWG wire, with its thicker diameter, can handle a greater current load than a 12 AWG wire. This characteristic is especially vital in scenarios like residential wiring for high-powered appliances, where adequate current delivery is crucial. Choosing a 10 AWG cable ensures that appliances such as electric stoves operate efficiently without the risk of overheating, thereby maintaining optimal performance during use.
On the other hand, a 14 AWG wire may be adequate for shorter runs in less demanding circuits, such as powering small lighting fixtures. However, as the distance increases, the risk of voltage drop becomes significant. For example, if the 14 AWG wire is used in a run exceeding 100 feet for a high-power circuit, the voltage drop may lead to underperformance or even failure of connected devices.
How to choose the right awg wire?
Selecting the right AWG (American Wire Gauge) cable involves multiple steps to ensure that the cable will safely and efficiently fulfill electrical requirements. Below are some key guidelines:
- Determine the current requirements.
First, we need to calculate the maximum current that the circuit needs to carry at full load. It can be calculated from the power and voltage of the device using the formula Current = Power / Voltage.
Then, refer to the AWG Current Carrying Capacity table to select an AWG size that can safely carry that current. For example, a high power application may require 12 AWG or thicker wire, while a low power electronic device may be suited for 24 AWG or thinner wire.
- Consider voltage drop.
Voltage drop is an important consideration in long-distance transmission or high-voltage systems. A thicker wire will reduce voltage loss and ensure adequate voltage to the end equipment.
- Environmental Factors.
The temperature, humidity, and chemical corrosiveness of the operating environment can affect cable selection. High-temperature environments may require high-temperature silicone wires or special insulating materials such as PFA, FEP and PTFE that are resistant to corrosion and high temperatures.
- Mechanical properties.
Depending on the environment in which the cable is to be used, it is necessary to consider its tensile strength, flexibility and whether it needs to resist bending or compression.
- Signal Transmission.
For data or audio signal cables, in addition to current carrying capacity, the cable’s capacitance, inductance and frequency response need to be considered.
- Multi-core vs. single-core.
Depending on the application, choose single-core or multi-core cable. Multi-core cables are usually better in terms of bending and flexibility, but carry less current per conductor.
Find out more about the differences between single- and multi-core cables: Core Cable: Single Core vs Multi-Core
Conclusion
The right awg wire gauge is key when you’re making electrical choices! When choosing the right cable, always check the instructions from the manufacturer! Dig deeper into these specifications and recommendations to make sure the rating of the cable you choose meets or exceeds your actual needs. If you’re looking for a reliable choice, ZW Cable Company’s lineup has many great options! If you have questions about product specifications and detailed quotes, our representatives will provide a detailed response to your questions.
