Can you help ?

[G L]

Just getting ready to wire up the consol/engine on the boat, any advice,
and what does 'AWG' mean? see link below for marin wire.

http://rswww.com/cgi-bin/bv/rswww/se...0&cacheID=ukie

We've got 1 ploter, 1 vhf, 1 fish/depth, navlights, spot light etc... I was thinking if I put wire rated to 30 amp it should be ok, fused with 20 amp but I don't understand the AWG rating?

All advice welcome.

[tcwozere]

Courtesy of google.. and answers.com

AWG
(American Wiring Gauge) A U.S. measurement standard of the diameter of non-ferrous wire, which includes copper and aluminum. In general, the thicker the wire, the greater the current-carrying capacity and the longer the distance it can span.

The smaller the AWG number, the thicker the wire. While it seems a contradictory measurement, it is because the metal is pulled through a series of increasingly smaller dies to create the final wire size. The AWG number is the number of dies. The more dies, the larger the number and the smaller the diameter.

Wire used for communications typically ranges from 18 to 26 AWG. For electric service, number 10, 12 and 14 AWG wires are typically used from the electric panel to the outlets. Number 8 and 10 AWG are used for home appliances such as an electric range or dryer.


clicky..

[slimtim]

awg is the gauge of the cable i think. I've just bought a load for my rib from www.sea-screw.com. AWG 16 is about 1.5mm^2 end on wire area whereas AWG 8 is about 8mm^2 (so smaller the AWG rating the thicker the cable).

I'm using AWG 16 for all connection bits and AWG 8 for my main feed from the battery.

Hope that helps a bit. I can recommend sea screw as they were very helpful and had quick delivery.

[G L]

Thanks very much, that makes a lot more sense now.