Decoding 12 AWG
1. What does AWG stand for?
Alright, let's unravel this wire gauge mystery! You've probably stumbled across the term "12 AWG" when shopping for electrical wire, or maybe you're knee-deep in a DIY project and need to know what it means. No sweat, it's simpler than you might think. AWG stands for American Wire Gauge. It's a standardized system used primarily in North America to measure the diameter of round, solid, nonferrous, electrically conducting wire. Think of it as the wire world's version of shoe sizes or dress sizes, but for electricity.
Essentially, the AWG number tells you how thick the wire is. Here's a fun little quirk: the smaller the AWG number, the thicker the wire. So, 12 AWG wire is thicker than 14 AWG wire. I know, it sounds a bit backwards, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be reeling off AWG numbers like a pro.
The AWG system is based on a stepped ratio. Each decreasing gauge number results in roughly a 26% increase in cross-sectional area and roughly a 20% increase in diameter. The reference point is #36 AWG, which is a very fine wire, and the gauge numbers decrease as the wire gets larger. The larger the wire, the more current it can safely carry without overheating. So, choosing the right AWG is super important for safety and performance in any electrical project.
It's also essential to remember that AWG only applies to solid, round wires. Stranded wire is a slightly different ball game, although it's typically referenced by its AWG equivalent. We'll delve into that a bit later, but for now, just keep in mind that the AWG system is our primary gauge for solid core wire.
