Basic question on wires...

[zack]

Is there any way to tell by just looking at a wire what AWG it is?

Some of the wires I have like jumpers are non-standed and some like those that come with the batterypack are stranded.  I realize that non stranded wires are breadboard friendly, but other than that, is one prefered over the other? 

 

[Trumpkin]

stranded wire is usually used for things like servo extenstion wires and such because it is more bendy. it is also used for high voltage applications.

[zack]

Thanks trumpkin, that makes sense

[airman00]

Thanks trumpkin, that makes sense

thats because engineering "makes sense"   lol   

I guess that if you have a lot of experience you can tell the different wire gauges. Like I can tell the difference between an 18 gauge and 22 gauge pretty easily by feeling it, but if a wire is really really thick then its a really low gauge wire ( less than 16)

[Admin]

sometimes it's written on the wire . . .

otherwise strip off the covering and measure it with calipers

[pomprocker]

stranded is more flexible so its good on sensors

i went with 22awg for my $50 robot, but if I were to do it again i'd buy 24awg stranded.

[krich]

Stranded wire tends to break off easier when soldered to a board.  An easy way to combat that is to put a dab of hot glue on the connection to form a sort of strain relief.