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How can I tell if the wires are 14 gauge or 12 gauge?

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How can I tell if the wires are 14 gauge or 12 gauge? CJ 09-19-2007
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Posted by CJ on September 19, 2007, 3:18 pm
I have a metal encased electrical wire, I think its 14/3, how can I be
sure. I don't have the romex yellow (12 gauge) or white (14 gauge)
which makes it easy to determine. Is there data on the wires telling
me what gauge they are?


Posted by Doug Miller on September 19, 2007, 3:24 pm
>I have a metal encased electrical wire, I think its 14/3, how can I be
>sure. I don't have the romex yellow (12 gauge) or white (14 gauge)
>which makes it easy to determine. Is there data on the wires telling
>me what gauge they are?

Compare it to a wire that you know is either 12 or 14.

Or use a wire stripper: if you put 12-gauge wire into the 14-gauge hole on a
stripper, the teeth will cut through the insulation, and bite on the
conductor. Conversely, the teeth on the 12-gauge hole will not cut all the way
through the insulation on a 14-gauge wire.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

Posted by DerbyDad03 on September 19, 2007, 6:20 pm
On 19 Sep, 15:24, spamb...@milmac.com (Doug Miller) wrote:
> >I have a metal encased electrical wire, I think its 14/3, how can I be
> >sure. I don't have the romex yellow (12 gauge) or white (14 gauge)
> >which makes it easy to determine. Is there data on the wires telling
> >me what gauge they are?
>
> Compare it to a wire that you know is either 12 or 14.
>
> Or use a wire stripper: if you put 12-gauge wire into the 14-gauge hole on a
> stripper, the teeth will cut through the insulation, and bite on the
> conductor. Conversely, the teeth on the 12-gauge hole will not cut all the way
> through the insulation on a 14-gauge wire.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
>
> It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

-- Or use a wire stripper:

...with the power off of course!!



Posted by Terry on September 19, 2007, 7:49 pm
On Sep 19, 3:24 pm, spamb...@milmac.com (Doug Miller) wrote:
> >I have a metal encased electrical wire, I think its 14/3, how can I be
> >sure. I don't have the romex yellow (12 gauge) or white (14 gauge)
> >which makes it easy to determine. Is there data on the wires telling
> >me what gauge they are?
>
> Compare it to a wire that you know is either 12 or 14.
>
> Or use a wire stripper: if you put 12-gauge wire into the 14-gauge hole on a
> stripper, the teeth will cut through the insulation, and bite on the
> conductor. Conversely, the teeth on the 12-gauge hole will not cut all the way
> through the insulation on a 14-gauge wire.
>

If you compare it to another wire, bend it. 14 bends easier than 12.


Posted by Doug Miller on September 19, 2007, 8:04 pm
>On Sep 19, 3:24 pm, spamb...@milmac.com (Doug Miller) wrote:
>> >I have a metal encased electrical wire, I think its 14/3, how can I be
>> >sure. I don't have the romex yellow (12 gauge) or white (14 gauge)
>> >which makes it easy to determine. Is there data on the wires telling
>> >me what gauge they are?
>>
>> Compare it to a wire that you know is either 12 or 14.
>>
>> Or use a wire stripper: if you put 12-gauge wire into the 14-gauge hole on a
>> stripper, the teeth will cut through the insulation, and bite on the
>> conductor. Conversely, the teeth on the 12-gauge hole will not cut all the
> way
>> through the insulation on a 14-gauge wire.
>>
>
>If you compare it to another wire, bend it. 14 bends easier than 12.
>
No need to bend it. A visual comparison is easily enough to tell the
difference.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

Page 1 of 2       1 2 > last >>
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