General Purpose hookup wire - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Joker94
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2011, 11:47:40 am
content: Hi AllWhat is the best set up to have and what do people find the most useful?What gauge or gauges of wire do people recommend to have on hand?Where is a good place to get different varieties of wire from?(found alltronics but after adding stuff to the cart to check, I found they don't ship to Australia)And finally, how do people keep their spools of wire organized, i have seen many different methods such as dedicated racks, cotton spool holders etc.CheersJoekr94

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2011, 12:05:53 pm
content: I keep mine like this. Made it in under 10 minutes by cutting up an old heated towel rack.- Remove both end caps,- Remove heating element (save the nichrome wire for some other project),- Cut out a straight section with a hacksaw,- Put the two end caps onto this section- Use two of the four mounting brackets to mount the section to a convenient wall or side of a bench- Done.You even have enough bits left to make another one if you can find two more end caps (or just leave them off).I buy it locally, i think its 26AWG and costs NZ$6.50 for a 50m reel, Or 6 reels for NZ$35.I don't know if that's cheap or expensive. I just convenient for me

author: Joker94
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2011, 01:03:42 pm
content: Awesome idea for a holding rack. Thinking back to it my schools lab a few years back had a very similar sort of thing. The advantage of that is I can make one that is portable so i can take it to my out side bench when i am building stuff up or inside when experimenting.Yeah, I have used 26 AWG before and I liked it. But all I can buy locally is ~22AWG. It is usable but in many case is harder to work with and more tedious. Looks like I am going to have to find an online supplier.

author: johnboxall
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 04, 2011, 01:24:03 pm
content: Quote from: Joker94 on August 04, 2011, 11:47:40 amDo you mean Altronics? (www.altronics.com.au) They ship locally.I use various rolls from Jaycar such as WH3001, and 26AWG breadboard hookup with the pins already connected from Little Bird Electronics.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2011, 01:36:12 pm
content: I buy a few rolls of 22 AWG solid wire. Since I'm only prototyping or making one-offs, its easier to solder solid because it holds its position when you position it; its also the size that fits most perf boards or similar and breadboards. For construction, I prefer stranded but most of the time I get wire by salvage from devices I find in the trash and rarely buy it new.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2011, 01:39:47 pm
content: Quote7/0.2mm or similar is the default general-purpose hookup wire, and the size you should have several colours of7/0.1 is good for lightweight or higher density.16/0.2 or 24/0.2 for higher powerSingle core solid (e.g. CAT5 or telephone cores) is good for breadboardsSingle-core 0.25mm kynar/tefzel wire-wrap wire for PCB patching and high density layouts on perfboard.SeeThis tablefor AWG equivalents

author: Joker94
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2011, 01:44:17 pm
content: sorry @tronixstuff, I got it wrong, it is allelectronics.com.I will definably have a look around altronics.@saturation, At this stage I am looking for a decent colour selection in stranded as i will be using it conect different sensors, and electronics through out projects and stranded will be better suited. However i might get a couple of rolls of solid core for when i am prototyping with bread boards!@mikeselectricstuff, thanks for the guide on different wire gauges and theur applications.

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2011, 02:04:16 pm
content: I made a quick and dirty cable rack by slitting the side of a cardboard mailing tube and then inserting the spools of wire. The nice thing about this (aside from being cheap and easy) is that the friction of the mailing tube against the spools keeps the wire from spilling off. There's a little tension when you pull out a length of wire but not so much that it's difficult.

author: Ronnie
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2011, 12:09:06 am
content: Bought an AlphaWire HU-KIT-20 (5 colors of AWG 22 stranded) from RS Philippines last June 2011. It is also available at RS Australia for $210http://australia.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=searchProducts&lastSearch=&autoc=false&storedtfgList=&searchTerm=hu-kit-20

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 05, 2011, 01:02:57 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on August 04, 2011, 01:39:47 pmYep, that's exactly what I use. 4-5 different colours of each is handy.Plus the tinned copper wire wrap ("mod") wire I showed in my lab video.Dave.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2011, 02:13:24 am
content: I just rip off the wire harness of those dead computer PSU's .I cut them from the PSU box, and they stay together from the 24 pin plug.

author: Joker94
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2011, 08:14:16 am
content: Thanks for that guys, now I have an idea about what I am looking for in terms of hookup wire!Now just to scour online to find some descent prices!Cheers,Joker94

author: poodyp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2011, 09:31:36 am
content: Quote from: Psi on August 04, 2011, 12:05:53 pmHiding your fireworks away for the next holiday?And just so this post isn't entirely off topic, I bought a few oftheseoff ebay and have been happy.(edit: fixed link)

author: Joker94
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2011, 09:58:09 am
content: QuoteHahaI noticed the warning sign first time I looked and though, wonder what thats for, but other than that didn't think anything into it.QuoteLink doesnt work but thats cool, had a look around ebay. As soon as i saw the link i was like"How stupid am i for not having a look on ebay"

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2011, 10:07:54 am
content: lol yeah, the box marked explosives.It's the box that some model rocket motors came in when i ordered them online

author: Joker94
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2011, 10:56:56 am
content: Quote from: Psi on August 06, 2011, 10:07:54 amHaha, cool. Knew there had to be a logical explanationAs for my hunt for hookup wire I thought I had hit a goldmine in ITC Electronicshttp://www.itcelectronics.com/.But as is the usual story, surprise surprise they dont ship to Australia.And as Dave said in on of the Amp hour episodes, it is bloody annoying to find out that they dont ship to Australia until the final stageThe search goes on!

author: Freighternut
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2011, 11:25:02 pm
content: Hi,I am also on the lookout for a good source of hookup wire.I have done extensive searching for 24 AWG hookup wire and have found plenty available with 7/30 stranding but an concerned about that being a bit rigid for my needs and would prefere something more like 10/34.As for suppliers, Digi-Key have a huge range and do ship to the southern Hemisphere or at least NZ and with no shipping costs of you are spending over NZ$125. For 24 awg 7/30 try searching Digi-Key for C2015R.Has anybody found a source for the more flexible ~10/34 wire or are you happy with the more rigid 7/30?Thanks, Roger...

author: poodyp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2011, 08:26:21 pm
content: It's situations like this that make me want to live in Tokyo.Thisplace has everything you need, and is only a short train ride away. Makes me want to know what the prices are like.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2011, 08:46:38 pm
content: Quote from: Freighternut on August 06, 2011, 11:25:02 pmThe flexibility of hookup wire seems to depend as much on the insulation as on the stranding, yet I don't see any discussion of insulation material in this thread. Are there choices in this regard, or is it always PVC?

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2011, 10:02:59 pm
content: I like multicore 0.5mm2(about 20 AWG) tri-rated wire because it's good for 5A unsheethed (3A in a bundle or with sheath) and can be soldered to veroboard.

author: KJ6EAD
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2011, 04:34:19 am
content: Quote from: IanB on August 07, 2011, 08:46:38 pmI've got 24 AWG 19-strand silver-plated teflon hookup wire.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2011, 04:19:13 pm
content: I like silicone rubber insulation because it doesn't melt when soldered and can run at higher currents than PVC, but it is more expensive.

author: Joker94
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2011, 06:40:56 am
content: Quote from: Hero999 on August 08, 2011, 04:19:13 pmYeah, I really only use silicone rubber insulation on batter and power cables. On of the reasons is due to its high flexibility.Still on the look out for some good prices. will let people know when i come across some good prices!

author: ciccio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 01:54:23 pm
content: Quote from: Ronnie on August 05, 2011, 12:09:06 amRS Italy sells it for 87 Euros, corresponding to 125 AU$.210 AU$ is a real rip-off. These are a total of 150 meters of wire, and even at 87 Euros it is not cheap (but the box is nice looking).