Where to Find the Best Amp Wire
"Here's the right amp wire for your project."
There are so many things to learn about amp wire it’s really kind of crazy. Most people think that wires are just simple cords that you use to get electrical power to your television set. But there is really so much more going on with them than you would expect. There are all sorts of different sizes (called gauges) and different materials. They are each made for specific tasks and can be in lengths of excess of a thousand feet. The heaviest types can weigh up to a ton.
There are a lot of accessories that go along with these all important electrical items. You need to get your connectors that will allow you to attach the wire to whatever surface you’re working with. You need to make sure you have them feeding into the right terminals as well. You might need to use a crimper at some point. There are also lugs, nuts, and other materials that will come in very handy.
A lot of people like to use a chart to help them calculate what the voltage drop will be across long runs. Some people have found an ampacity calculator to be very useful. So as you’re hopefully starting to see, it’s not just about getting a cord and plugging it in to the outlet. It’s much more than that. It’s also important to realize that you need to make sure you have the right sizes.
There are many types, from #12 to #1, and huge ones like 750 MCM. Of course, you might be working with some SO or SJ cord, as well as romex that usually comes in 14/2 and 12/2 configurations. The jacket on the outside is rated for different things. THHN is the standard jacket, while they have specialty ones made for those wires that will be in very hot areas, like an oven or something. They have special types for underground wires as well, such as XHHW.
The main lesson to be learned here is that you don’t try this at home without knowing exactly what you’re doing. To try otherwise would be catastrophic.