How to Meassure AWG - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: GoatZero
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2013, 08:24:25 pm
content: I have been having trouble, since several manufacturers make the same AWG cable with different sizes, (wire is bigger, or the plastic shield is ticker)I have used charts, and even a vernier to try to meassure them however i alway end up not knowing which AWG it isHow can i know the AWG of a cable that i found lying around ?

author: Greyersting
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2013, 08:29:29 pm
content: You can use a caliper. A friend of mine does it somehow where he uses the resistance or something. If you don't have a caliper that might be something to look in to.Sorry if I misread your question.

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2013, 08:32:06 pm
content: I've carefully measured the strand diameter, counted the strands and worked it out from there. There are web (and other) apps around that will take those two and give you the CSA in sq mm. With that you can look up the AWG.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2013, 08:37:50 pm
content: Please seehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AWGfor all the details and keep in mind that there are solid and stranded wires.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2013, 02:36:28 am
content: I likethis onevery comprehensive coverage of all the stranding combinations for each gauge

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2013, 09:32:51 am
content: I use something like this to measure wire size also usefull for sheet thickness as well.http://www.tooled-up.com/ShowImage.ashx?Type=3&File=FAIGAUGEWIRE.jpg&Man=FAI&Size=250http://www.tooled-up.com/product/faithfull-wire-gauge-metric-imperial/111451/?Referrer=googleproductlisting&gclid=CJWogZ7Ak7oCFVDItAod9lYAYA

author: bluevd
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2013, 11:22:13 am
content: I'm no expert in cables and such, but recently I came across this when I was dealing with my airsoft cables.So I ended up getting a 2 hour lecture from an university electronics professor (never ask one of these guys, they'll give you the whole history of things).Basically, the AWG is an American wire gauge. I've seen that madires already posted the Wikipedia page. Now, all the info in there is correct and pretty nicely explained.The only single addition that should be made is how to calculate the AWG of stranded wires (the ~5% figure specified for the diameter increase is not all that precise).What you need is to take a digital calliper and measure the diameter of one strand then use the circle surface formula and multiply it by the total number of strands (pi*radius*radius*strands). This would yield out the total surface area which then you can turn back into a circle diameter by reversing the circle surface: diameter = 2*square root(total surface / pi)So, in one go the formula is: diameter = 2*square root(radius*radius*strands). This gives you the number which you can use to search in AWG charts (for a solid core wire).

author: iloveelectronics
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2013, 11:54:42 am
content: Quote from: GoatZero on October 12, 2013, 08:24:25 pmThe AWG standards don't seem to specify how thick the insulation layer of the wire should be. That's why there are thicker and thinner wires (from the outside) of the same AWG size.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2013, 01:29:47 pm
content: Quote from: iloveelectronics on October 13, 2013, 11:54:42 amIt doesn't make much sense at all to specify a standard insulation, because the insulation (thickness and materials) is based on the supported voltage, environment and mechanical stress. You don't like to have a thin insulation for your 10kV wire :-)

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 13, 2013, 03:39:20 pm
content: How accurate a measurement do you need ? you can measure the diameter with a caliper and compare it on a chart. If multistrand it will be equivalent to slightly less than a solid core

author: geraldjhg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2013, 12:48:54 pm
content: hiany good cable has its awg gauge printed on ityou could measure it with a caliper bit if strandedit comes into math story of areathen there a lots of tables to go from awg # to mm2 sectionhave funsaludos