Wire Comes In Multiple Gauges – Which Do You Need
First off, let us describe the various collection of wire and their diverse uses. If you are aware of the many attributes each gauge of wire possesses, you’ll be able to manipulate your layout for optimum miniature prototype operation.
First On the List – Industry Standard
Copper wire is most commonly used. You must understand that wire is categorized by three characteristics…
1. Width of Wire
2. Normal Wire
3. and Solid Wire
The greater the gauge of the wire, the greater the current it can handle. American Wire Gauge (AWG) is a little misleading because the smaller the gauge the larger the diameter. For instance, 14AWG is a smarter choice to deal with larger amounts of amps and voltage as opposed to 22AWG, for instance.
If you are not sure which gauge is best for your model, shoot for a larger wire because the smaller the wire, the less the electricity will flow through your kit. To reiterate, it is better to have too much rather than not enough because if your wires are too small then you will lose power throughout the model.
Generally, modelers living in the United States use 110 volt household outlets. If you are on a 110 volt system, utilize a 12, maybe 14 gauge wire. Either one of these sizes ought to be your power supply wires being that they have a greater voltage capacity.
20 and 22 gauge is acceptable wire gauge used in connecting track feeders as long as the wire itself isn’t stretching over long distances, like 10, 20 or 30 feet. The reason for this caution is the longer the current travels in lower gauge wire the more juice lost at destination junction.
Solid wire is identified by a single solid cooper line insulate under a color coded wire insolent. This wire comes in various gauges and as stated earlier, is best equipped for most all functions throughout your layout, depending on it’s gauge.
Don’t think standard wire is useless as it is without question your best choice for flexibility. I find that hard ware stores are the best place to go for quality wire. Radio Shack also has a beep selection of electronic wiring for use in your model train layout.
For more information on scale model locomotives visit Daryl’s BLOG surrounding model trains, you may also stop in to read thomas the tank engine reviews.
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