engine room lights

[Commissionpoint]

. This means that a "wire" of a given size that made up of many smaller strands can carry more power than a solid wire - simply because the stranded wire has more surface area. This is one reason why battery cables in your car and welding cables are made up of many very fine strands of smaller wire - it allows them to safely carry more power with less of that power being dissipated as heat.

I think you meant to say current and not power.

[Big D]

Since this is a marine forum, we're talking stranded wire only. I know that a given size wire can handle a given amount of current however it can only carry it for a certain distance before a load fails to opperate properly and safely. For the benefit of those electrically challenged that read threads like this one, I don't think it's a good idea to simply throw out current capacities without mentioning distance limitations. Without mentioning distances, someone reading this may think it's ok to assemble a 50 foot run with the same AWG stated for 15 amps that maxes safe delivery at 10 feet. IMO, we shouldn't mention one without the other....they go hand in hand.

[prowlersfish]

I agree Big D

[Commissionpoint]

I dunno if this has been posted before, but its a pretty decent basic source of information.

http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/doityourse ... wiring.htm

[Big D]

That's a good example. Pretty much the same charts I use. Depending on where you get such charts, numbers vary slightly but negligible. Again, the key is the length of the circuit not to mention how, for what, and where it's being run.

[prowlersfish]

And there is nothing wrong with going with a heavier gage wire then what is called for .

[Allen Sr]

And there is nothing wrong with going with a heavier gage wire then what is called for .

That is the BEST bet when not sure!