Why do the differences in wire gauges matter? 
Simple, using too thin of a wire could easily cause a fire. All wires have a maximum electrical rating and going beyond that rating causes the wire to heat up . This excess heat can ignite the insulation on the wire. It is important to always identify what the electrical rating is for your device or system prior to choosing your wire. In most applications, copper wire is recommend. In addition, always be sure to use insulated wire as bare wire is a fire hazard.
Senasys epoxy sealed switches are built with 18 AWG wire. For more information, view our line of epoxy sealed switches.
Key Points Pertaining to Wire Gauges
- Wire gauges range from 0000 to 40.
- The higher the number, the thinner the wire.
- Most common applications use wire between 2 and 14 gauge.
- Thicker wires have a higher current capacity
- You can use wire that has an electrical rating higher than what you need, but never use wire with a lower electrical rating than what you need.
Knowing the difference in wire gauges is crucial to a safe electrical connection. If you aren’t sure what wire gauge you need, contact a professional. Lastly, always make sure that the power to your system or device is shut off before wiring.
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