Wires

Desiderata

  • Weather resistance - high temperatures, high UV radiation.

Wire gauge

Higher gauge implies lower diameter.
SWG - standard wire gauge.
AWG - American wire gauge.

Heating circuit

wire cross section - 4mm². Smaller cross section implies higher resistance, higher heat and consequent damage (melting insulation, plugs etc..).

Solar power

  • DC cables - use bigger cross sections (4mm²) to minimize losses.
  • Inverter to meter cables - at least 6mm². Increase with length.

Fuse wires

Fuse wires have low melting point and high resistance (As P=VI=IR2). For high resistance, wires of small cross section are used.

(Tinned) Copper Fuse Wire 28 SWG (diameter ~ 0.376)

  • Current rating 12A.
  • Approximate Fusing Current 16A - 18A.

Casing

  • Protect from water, plastic destroying UV radiation, heat etc..
  • UPVC weather resistant pipes for outdoors. available in only few stores and need to be special ordered.