Cables – Techaholist’s Tech Guides

Choosing the right cables to wire your home's lighting sockets is an essential step in getting things done safely. You want each room lit up with precisely what you need for a specific purpose, but there are so many safety rules about which wires should go where and how much voltage or current they carry! The challenge for many homeowners and DIY enthusiasts is that electric cable wires come in various sizes and shapes that can seem confusing, but which cable will you need to wire sockets? You'll need 2.5mm and 1/4 inch twin-lead cable size for wiring your power sockets. The 6242Y cable used primarily in domestic wiring of switches, sockets, and lighting fixtures is the best downlight cord that comes with either a 2 mm or 3 mm diameter pin depending on how high wattage you want to use in your sockets.. While wire cables are filled with jargon unknown outside of the industry, just knowing that the 6242Y (sometimes called a white) is used for domestic wiring, while 2x2 or 4x4 AWG are common in commercial applications is helpful enough for novices. And, that's because the 2x2 or 4x4 AWG wire cables can carry more current safely without overheating the insulation like smaller gauge wires will do. When there isn't enough space between cables inside an outlet box or fixture housing where larger cables must go through tight spaces under floors, the likelihood of overheating increases by large margins. Best Recommended Cable Options. As you plan out your home layout of appliances and electric distribution, each room will require a specific type of wiring cable to fit the situation. This article will summarise what cable types you can use in different situations and what factors to consider when choosing a cable. The four main factors that determine which type of cable , is required for each room are: Amps - how many amps the appliances require. Voltage drop - whether or not voltage drop exceeds allowable limits Cable length - how long the run of cable is Watts - how much power the appliances draw We will expand on each factor below and describe what cables work well in a given scenario. In general, smaller appliances such as lights will draw less wattage, whereas larger appliances such as stoves, ovens, and dishwashers will draw more wattage. Electricity Basics The rate at which electricity flows through a cable is measured in amps, and the rate of electricity use by appliances is measured in watts. Think of it like water flowing through a hose: the larger the hose, the more water that can flow through it at one time. The same idea applies to electrical cables: the thicker they are, the more current they can safely carry. However, just as you cannot send water through a small garden hose, you cannot send more than 40 or 50 amps through any household wiring cable. This means that many smaller appliances need to be wired together on separate circuits by using several light-duty cables. Amps - Appliance Ratings Smaller appliances such as lights draw less amperage (amps), whereas larger appliances such as stoves, ovens, and dishwashers draw more amps. As a general rule of thumb, remember that most common household lights are rated at 120 volts and 15 or 20 amps. However, the same lights in your bathroom may be rated at 100 volts instead, which is what you get when you run an incandescent light off the 240-volt outlets in your kitchen or laundry room. Voltage Drop The main thing to keep in mind is that voltage drop cannot exceed 5% on any given circuit for it to continue working properly. So if we stick with our example above where we have four lights all wired together on one circuit, the maximum voltage drop allowed across all four lights is 5 volts. In the design layout diagram, the voltage drop from having two separate runs of cable from opposite ends of the room would add up to 10 volts! This much voltage drop will cause all sorts of problems with your lights, even leading to their premature failure. Note that when you add in fixtures such as switches and receptacles, etc., I recommend adding 1-2% more for these items so they do not also get affected by voltage drop. The recommendation: Use a thicker cable than what is required if there are any heavy appliances on the same circuit and/or if it is a long run across your house or to an outbuilding such as a garage or shed. Cable Length - The Longer the Run, The Thicker the Cable The general rule of thumb is to use a cable that can carry at least 20 amps for all cords more than 25 feet long. If you are running an outlet on the other side of your house or building, there are two ways to wire it. One way would be to run an entirely new cable from the breaker box across your home and plug it into a new outlet on that end of the room. Another way would be to tap into an existing circuit within 10 feet of where you want your new plug installed, then use a short length of cable (10 ft) with an appropriately sized connector. Best Recommended Option: If you're worried about voltage drop and/or have a long run of cable, use a thicker cable than what is required. This will ensure that your appliances will continue to function normally for many years with no problems. Watts - How Much Power Your Appliances Require The actual amount of watts an appliance draws can be found on its electrical data plate or on the sticker inside the door of the oven. All appliances have this information available, but it may take some searching to find--it's typically there in some form, however. You can also contact the manufacturer if necessary and request this information from them. If you cannot locate the wattage rating for an appliance, we recommend choosing a wire type/gauge at least equal to or larger than the following: Outlet- 600 watts max. (15 amps)Dryer - 1800 watts (20 amps)Oven - 2500 watts (20 amps)Electric range - 4000 watts (30 amps) Watts - Which Type of Wire Should You Use, AC or DC? AC power comes from your breaker box and is what you get from outlets in your home. Unlike DC, which has a constant voltage, AC voltage varies as the load on the circuit changes. Circuit breakers are designed to protect both people and appliances by opening the circuit when too much current flows through it. If we use our example above with four lights that total 120 volts and 20 amps, this means that any one of the four light bulbs could potentially draw up to 20 amps. This is why the circuit breaker protects each light bulb by opening that part of the circuit electronically, just in case it were to try pulling too much power. What this means for you is that AC circuits can be quite forgiving in regards to having a larger wire size. If you use an oversized cable for your lights or other appliances on the same circuit, you won't have any issues. Electric Range - How Thick Should This Cable Be? When in doubt, as with any cord, go with a thicker wire than what is required for it to carry at least 20 amps safely, especially if you are dealing with an electric range. The reason being is that these appliances draw enough current to potentially cause a fire if they are not wired to carry it. Using the proper wire will help prevent this from happening and ensure that your range continues performing as expected for many years. Size Of Cable For Sockets And Lights The ideal size of cable for sockets and lights , when in doubt, is to use 14 AWG wires not too much smaller than the table below. Wire SizeVoltage Drop20 Amps 30 Amps 40 Amps 14 AWG1.5 Volts/Meter5 Volts2 Volts1 Volt12 AWG3.0 Volts/Meter10 Volts3 Volts2.4 Volts10 AWG4.4 Volts/Meter17 Volts6.8 Volts4.1 Volts What This Means In Plain English: As you can see from the above example of light with a wattage rating of 60 watts and an amp draw of .6 amps, we would need at least 18 AWG wires for this circuit. This is because the amps multiplied by the voltage (amps x volts = watts) will give you the minimum required wire thickness in order to safely carry that amount of power. Example: 60 watts divided by 120 volts equals .5 amps; .5 amps multiplied by 120 volts equals 60 watts. The ideal size of cable for this light would be 18 AWG, which can handle up to 6 amps. However, if your circuit breaker allows more than 20 amps, you could use 12 or 10 AWG wires instead and get away with it. It all depends on how much power you want your new socket to draw from the circuit and how long a run of cable it will require, among other things. Best Way To Find Out If Your Circuit Is Overloaded. The best way to determine if your circuit is overloaded is to install a separate electrical meter, such as a Kill-A-Watt meter, and plug it into the wall socket on the same circuit that your new device is plugged into. This will tell you how many amps your home draws from that particular outlet. Size Of Cable For 9.5kw Shower. Most new homeowners often wonder what size of cable they need for a 9.5kw shower. Typically, this will be a 50 amp breaker with 4 wires going to it. As for the wire size itself, you must follow the NEC (National Electrical Code) and go by what your local building department requires. In most cases, they will ask that you install at least 6 AWG wires for this type of shower--although in some places, it may vary anywhere between 4-8 AWG depending on where you live and how many amps your home's circuit breakers allow. 3 Phase Connection - What Wire Size Do I Need? If you're wondering what size of cable to use when connecting 3 phases or more than one source to your power supply, we recommend using 1/0 gauge. An exception to this is if you are lighting your house with 3 phase power, which typically consists of 2 hot legs and 1 neutral wire. In this case, you should use 10 AWG wire for each socket or light that you plan to install. Using the formula outlined earlier in the article, you will also need to figure out how much wattage each appliance will draw in amps. Of course, if your local building department requires it, or you simply prefer using a thicker cable--which many electricians believe is safer because it doesn't heat up as easily when under stress - then make sure to follow their guidelines instead. Size Of Cable For Hot Tub. With countless home upgrades going on at the moment often include installing a hot tub, you are possibly wondering what size of cable do you need for your hot tub wiring. In general, Hot Tubs need a 6AWG copper wiring cable. They need between 13 and 40 AMPS of power to run. The electricity powers the heater, pumps, lights (or light therapy), as well as all other working components on your favorite hot tub brand. Still, the best way to find out what your hot tub installation needs will be in your home is by asking your local building department or an electrician familiar with working with hot tubs. They will assess other home appliances drawing electricity from your home. The gauge of cable you need will depend on how many amps are required for your new installation. So it's always a good idea to check first before you start buying wire, hoping that it will be the right size when in fact it may not, which could leave your home at risk of fire or electrocution. Size Of Cable For Dryer And Stove When installing a dryer and stove, both appliances have their own dedicated circuits, so you won't need any fancy devices to handle them both. As for the gauge of cable needed, most building departments will ask you to install a 6 AWG wire for this type of circuit. Size Of Cable For Cooker. With modern kitchen designers using state-of-the-art appliances in their designer kitchen range, installing cookers with digitally connected home appliances networked altogether can easily complicate choices of cable choices used to wire your home. And many homeowners often wonder what size of cable is better for cooker wiring. In general, a 4 AWG copper wire will do. This is a good standard for most home appliances, although you may have to check with your local building department first before going out and buying one. As for the amps or wattage that your cooker draws from your home's power supply, it generally varies depending on the model of oven as well as how many other electrical appliances you use at once. For example, supposesuppose you're using an electric kettle while cooking simultaneously, which makes sense since sometimes we need boiling water in a jiffy. In that case,. In that case, you should expect your electricity usage to be slightly higher than usual. Size Of Cable For wiring Dishwasher And Oven. You'll find yourself wondering what size or type of cables to use when installing a dishwasher and oven in your home. In this case, you'll be using a 10 AWG copper wiring for the appliance circuit. Again, it's best to check with your local building department first before going out and buying one so as not to waste money on the wrong cable size--which can happen if you don't know how to properly measure cable length. Most appliances like dryers or stoves require 4 prong (or similar) outlets. While there are some who claim that they've successfully used 3/8-inch wire for both dryer and stove, this practice is not advisable. Using wire smaller than the required size puts you at risk of fire or other electrical hazards. Remember, it's always better to be safe than sorry because the last thing anyone needs is an accident like an inadvertent fire in their personal homes. Cables should be separate for each device; normally, 10m of cable can cover a maximum distance of 20m from one device to another with no problems whatsoever if designed correctly from the start so as not to exceed allowed distances. In most cases, you'll have less distance between your stove and dishwasher so you don't need too much cable length - about 5 meters would suffice for this purpose. Size Of Cable For Outside Lights. Extending lighting outdoors requires that you have a choice of cables to choose from depending on the wattage required for each lamp. As a rule of thumb,10 AWG copper wire is the best size of cable for outdoor wiring lights. They work better, especially if it's only at short distances. Outside lights need resilient weatherproof cables that can also handle multiple lights effectively, and the 10 AWG copper wire is better. You can always ask an electrician if he can offer advice on what size cable is better for your application. Let's take, for example, 20 lamps all in one row. This means that the total wattage will depend totally on how much each lamp draws, so your best bet would be to check with your local building department or an electrician before buying cable for this particular application. Like everything else in life, there are no hard and fast rules about cable sizes not unless you're working within the limitations your local building department allows or if you want to be on the safe side. In general, a 10 AWG copper wire is good enough for short runs up to 20 amps which are quite sufficient for most household appliances and lighting applications. Always remember never to do it yourself unless you've had previous experience working with cables, especially below the ground, where safety measures should be foremost in mind so as not to cause accidents. You may have to ask your local cable supplier or electrician if they can recommend the best cable size for the appliances you intend to use so as not to waste money on buying something you won't be using anyway. Size Of Cable For 100 amp Service. When you have a 100 amp service, you'll need to install a 200 amp service panel, and because space is normally at a premium, the maximum distance allowed between your meter box and service panel should not exceed 100 feet. As such, it would be wise to let an electrician handle the job unless you have extensive wiring or electrical knowledge to avoid accidents or hazards. Otherwise, speak to your local building department first before doing anything yourself, especially below ground, where safety measures should be paramount than speed so as not to cause accidents or damage that might end up costing you more in repairs. In general, always use 10 AWG wires for short distances and use 8 AWG wires for long distances like up to 20 amps (for appliances) To avoid potential hazards, use 4 /0 or 2/0 wire when installing underground wiring. Cables For Security Systems When it comes to security systems, it's always better to err on the side of caution, so never use anything smaller than 6 AWG copper wires in this kind of application unless you want potential hazards to happen. You can also ask an electrician advisor or your local building department for advice if you're not sure about the size of cable required for this particular application. For maximum safety, always consult with experts before doing anything yourself. Especially laying electrical wiring belowground where accidents are more prevalent, people tend to take their safety for granted and don't bother checking things like cable sizes, which could ultimately lead to fire hazards or electrocution. Remember, there is a local building department or an electrician for further advice before carrying out your own wiring project. What Voltage Do I Need To Power My Garage? In most cases, residential garages are wired using either 120 volts or 240 volts, depending on the size of your garage and what appliances you plan on powering with it. Suppose you need some help determining what voltage will work best for your situation. In that case, there are many resources available online that can assist in helping cable determine which is best suited for you. This is just one example of why it's important to always ask an electrician before attempting to do any electrical wiring yourself because not only could it cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars in damage, but even worse--it could prove. Can You Use 1.5 Cable Size For Sockets? If you are wiring your home and installing extra sockets, you possibly have wondered if you can use 1.5 cable size for those sockets. In general, 1.5 cable sizes can be used for sockets. However, using 1.5 or even 2/0 cable size for home wiring has its limits on how many sockets this kind of wire can power and what appliances should be connected with it. Aside from other issues like overheating, 1.5 cable size might have an electrical current carrying capacity, which could prove fatal in the long run. So always check if it's suitable for your needs beforehand and before doing any kind of electrical work yourself, especially belowground where safety measures should be paramount than speed. By doing your due diligence, you stand a chance of not causing accidents or damage that might end up costing more in repairs later on. What Size Of Cable Do I Need For A 10 5kw Shower? If your home is getting a new 10 5kw shower upgrade, you need to know what size of cable is ideal for a 5kw shower. In general, a 10 5kw shower uses 2/0 4 gauge copper wire or 4/0 3 gauge cables to perform without compromise or heating safely. Using anything smaller than this size for your application will more than likely end up causing hazards like overheating which might lead to fire eventually. Also, speaking with an electrician might prove useful before doing any electrical work yourself, especially belowground, where safety measures should be paramount than speed. This is just one example of why it's important to always consult with experts first before attempting to do any electrical wiring on your own. Because not only could it cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars in damage, but even worse--it could prove fatal. Is It Legal To Use 1.5mm Cable For Wiring Sockets? The potential for legally getting your home wiring wrong is quite high if you are not aware of your state regulation standards for cable sizes used to wire sockets. In general, using a 1.5mm cable size for wiring sockets is not recommended due to its excessive current carrying capacity and above-average heating factors that can cause fire hazards in the long run. While it might be possible to use 1.5mm cables for sockets, it's always better and safer to use slightly large capacity wiring cables than any other 1.5mm cables. Overall, consult with an electrician before doing any electrical work yourself, especially belowground where safety measures should be paramount than speed. By doing your due diligence, you stand a chance of not causing accidents or damage that might end up costing more in repairs later on. What Does 10/3 Wire Size Mean? 10/3 wire size refers to the American Wire Gauge (AWG) used by construction companies when it comes to wiring. In general, 10/3 wire size means a thick cable and has a bigger capacity, making it ideal for heavy-duty electrical uses like in large residential homes where lots of appliances need power. This is just one example of why it's important to always ask an electrician before attempting to do any electrical wiring yourself. Because not only could it cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars in damage, but even worse--it could prove fatal. Statement: The article is accurate based on the information research scope provided to respond to why choosing the best ideal cable size for sockets and lighting in vital. However, I recommend you consult a local electrician near you or contact local authority Support for additional clarification or details regarding your inquiry. Other factors may be considered, including local building codes and manufacturer guidelines that supersede general code requirements.