Low voltage wires for high voltage application

TimePiloteer

Well-known member

Donor 2016
Joined
Oct 12, 2016
Messages
1,596
Reaction score
476
Location
Woodinville, Washington
As I was moving some things around in my dk cabinet, the power wires at the back switch got moved (going to the transformer), and cracked at the solder joint at the switch. I wanted to resolder it, but the wires seemed really fragile and thin and got me to thinking about replacing them.

I see a lot of thin wires in cabinets (16 or 18 gauge) used for going from switches to transformers, or to power marquee lights, or to interlock switches. These seem like low gauge, low voltage DC wires that should only be carrying light loads.

When I go to any hardware stores and look for smaller gauge wires, they are all low voltage rated. The only high voltage cabling I can find is lamp cord, or 14 gauge or higher for use in home wiring. Even 16 gauge thermostat wire is not rated for 120vac.

What do you all use when repairing or replacing wires that will have normal ac current through them?
 
Interesting. I believe I had Bob tell me a while back that it was okay to use 18ga wire to power my monitor (about 3', not a long run).

My understanding was that this was okay because of the relatively limited power draw (an amp or less) and short run.

Recently I had someone suggest that I use 16ga primary wire for the cable for powering my G08 and I did so while others told me that was unnecessary.
 
Last edited:

So according to that, my 3'-6' run of 18ga monitor power cable is good for 10a with the actual draw being maybe 1 - 1.5a.

But is there a difference between wires rated for high voltage and low that comes into play here? I myself went with the max amperage it would carry and I think I'm fine there but didn't factor in high voltage wire vs low voltage wire, whatever that is.
 
My concern as well, which is what prompted the post. The only wire at home Depot for example that is 16 or 18 gauge states very clearly on it max voltage 60v, and is for use in low voltage applications, garage door opener, thermostat, etc. Is that due to heat and the rating of the insulation?
 
You can get tffn or thhn 16 or 18 gauge wire on ebay if you can't find it at lowes or HD.
Incidentally, the wire inside low voltage and high voltage wire is the same. The difference is in the insulation.
 
My concern as well, which is what prompted the post. The only wire at home Depot for example that is 16 or 18 gauge states very clearly on it max voltage 60v, and is for use in low voltage applications, garage door opener, thermostat, etc. Is that due to heat and the rating of the insulation?

I just looked at some of the Bob Roberts 20ga wire I'd bought from him. It takes a magnifying glass but it clearly says 20AWG 80 degrees C 300v.

The 18ga wire says 18AWG 105 degrees C 300v.

I really don't think this is an issue at all.
 
most games used 18 gauge for AC wiring. I've even gotten away with 20 gauge in the past, but I found a company in southern Illinois that sells 18 gauge in various colors. so that problem was resolved at least lol
 
You can get tffn or thhn 16 or 18 gauge wire on ebay if you can't find it at lowes or HD.
Incidentally, the wire inside low voltage and high voltage wire is the same. The difference is in the insulation.
Thanks, good to know! Had never heard of these ratings before. They don't sell those at my Home Depot or Lowes or local hardware store McLendons. I'll have to get it online, and this gives me what I need to search for. Perfect!
 
Correct me if I'm wrong but, I was always under the impression that the gauge of the wire determined the current it can handle while the voltage rating of the wire was the thickness of the insulation. The higher the voltage rating the thicker the insulation to avoid arcing.

You can use 18awg wire inside a game to power things like monitor power supplies because it can handle the lower current in short runs. You can even us lower voltage rated wire as long as it's not close to/touching any other conductor, but I wouldn't recommend it.
 
Frys has 18ga and 20ga wire. I didn't look for any other types but they probably have that too. http://frys.com/product/7671447?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Bob has everything you'd need in spades but he's not actively selling right now.

Altex has a complete selection too: https://www.altex.com/Hook-Up-22-to-18-AWG-C10941.aspx

MCM Electronics has it too: http://www.mcmelectronics.com/browse/Hook-Up-Wire/0000001536

Just make sure you get the stranded 300v wire. The right stuff is super easy to come by.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom