Author Topic: Basic question on wires...  (Read 2782 times)

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Offline zackTopic starter

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Basic question on wires...
« on: June 14, 2008, 05:43:19 AM »
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? 

 

Offline Trumpkin

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Re: Basic question on wires...
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2008, 07:57:06 AM »
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.
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Offline zackTopic starter

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Re: Basic question on wires...
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2008, 03:56:52 PM »
Thanks trumpkin, that makes sense

Offline airman00

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Re: Basic question on wires...
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2008, 11:20:31 PM »
Thanks trumpkin, that makes sense
thats because engineering "makes sense"   lol   ;D

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)
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Offline Admin

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Re: Basic question on wires...
« Reply #4 on: June 18, 2008, 09:31:17 AM »
sometimes it's written on the wire . . .

otherwise strip off the covering and measure it with calipers ;D

Offline pomprocker

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Re: Basic question on wires...
« Reply #5 on: June 18, 2008, 09:45:01 AM »
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.

Offline krich

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Re: Basic question on wires...
« Reply #6 on: June 18, 2008, 10:29:16 AM »
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.

 


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