As far as size of wire is concerned, it is determined by the wire guage system, apart from which you must also pay attention towards cable wires capacity, and what the wire will feed. When the wire guage is smaller, its amapcity increases. Ampacity can be explained as the safe amount of current that a wire can handle without getting hot enough to cause a fire. Some of the popular appliances and needs found in most of the houses, their rated ampacity (within brackets) and required wire guage have been mentioned below for your guidance.
Low-voltage lighting and lamp cords (10 Amps) - 18 guage
Extension Cords (13 Amps) - 16 guage
Air Conditioners (110-volt) , Sump Pumps, Kitchen Appliances (20 Amps) - 12 guage
Clothes Dryers, Window Air Conditioners, Built-in Ovens, Water Heaters (30 Amps) - 10 guage
Cook Tops (45 Amps) - 8 guage
Furnaces, Large Electric Heaters (60 Amps) - 6 guage
Furnaces, Large Electric Water Heaters, Sub Panels (80 Amps) - 4 guage
Service Panels, Sub Panels (100 Amps) - 2 guage
Service Entrance (150 Amps/ 200 Amps) - 1/0 guage/ 2/0 guage
Utilize Safe Sheathed Electrical Wire
A proper plastic covered wires- called NMC or Non Metallic Sheathed Cable- are recently thought as the ideal one for indoor wiring. There are many types of such non metallic wires. However, the basic three of them are the NM, NMC and UF electrical wires.
For normal indoor electrical wiring like lighting and receptacle circuits, use NM electrical cables. Use NMC electrical cables above ground or in damp areas indoors because they are well insulated and so safe to use in these areas.
UF or the underground feeder is an electrical cable which can be used outdoors beneath the ground. Such wires are sometimes not safe to use above the ground as sunlight can destroy the cable sheathing. So, restrict the use of UF wires for undergrounds only.
Would you like to know more about the various types of cable wires, their making and uses? Just contact us!