I have some wire from a project I used to work on and I'm not sure of the guage. The first is stranded and when stripped and twisted is 0.05". The other is solid, (telephone wire?) when stripped it measures 0.02".
What is the guage of these wires and what would be their best use on a layout?
I'm sure the answer is out there in a cloud somewhere, but me and Google aren't the best of friends.
Thank you,
Richard
Good for you, Mel.
The 24 gauge wire would work okay for very short distances as feeder wires, but it would get plenty hot inside of about three or four seconds if it had to deal with a short on the work side of it. Most of us use 22 gauge or slightly thicker because it has less resistance, less voltage loss over distance, and it's quite readily available. But over, say, 12" distances, I think you could safely use the 24 gauge on a spur or switchback to a mine where a small switcher engine was doing all the work. Wiring a section of a main track where it might be supplying power to two or three diesels or steamers tugging a long string of cars....not so much.
On the other hand, if it were allowed to burn through due to heat, it might save a decoder!
The telephone wire is good for running Tortoises. And wiring structure lights.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Mel, thanks for the charts. I've seen something like it, but that was long ago and far away.
Selector and Randy, thanks for the additional comments. Gives me an idea of what to use it for.
Thanks again,