![]() ![]() UL indicates a UL rating from Underwriters Laboratories. The label will also refer to the wire material, such as CU for copper and AL for aluminum.Īside from the wire gauge details that are printed on the sheath, you can find other information, too. The gauge size format shown above (12-2, etc.) will be included, along with indications of voltage rating. If you have questions about your specific wiring and dimmer, please consult with a qualified electrician.Įach electrical wire includes details about the wiring (wire material, wire size/gauge, type of insulation on conducting wires, voltage rating) printed on the wire sheath when you buy it in bulk. Always refer to the installation manual and to your dimmer manufacturer’s installation details to see how to safely connect your dimmer and light fixture. Some fixtures may include a purple wire as the live wire for your dimmer. ![]() If you are installing lights with a dimming option, you will see two sets of wires: the three listed above and then another pair of wires to connect your compatible dimmer. Always turn off your circuit breaker and light switch prior to working on any electrical installations. ![]() Remember that even a neutral wire passes electricity and so do you. Green or green/yellow, also bare copper – this is your ground wire.Black – this is your live or hot wire.The displayed insulation color is an indication of what is carried on that wire: If you are new to electrical wiring, you may be wondering what the different insulated wiring colors and labeling mean.Īnother type of standard in wiring is the color of the sheath or insulation that surrounds the wires. Most of Sunco Lighting’s hardwired lighting fixtures include a solid core wire, which is a single solid conductor (copper) wrapped in insulation. When referring to wire gauges and sizes, ground wires are often added as a G or a WG, like so: 12-3WG or 12-3G – This representation of a 14-gauge wire includes two insulated wires (live/neutral) with a ground. You will often see cutaways or cross-sections of cables to show the number of wires inside with colored insulation on the outside. The second number refers to the number of wires in a cable.Ĭables are sheathed bundles of wires, typically in plastic insulation. The first number indicates the diameter of the wire. You will see the gauge indicated as a number then a dash and another number: Most household wiring, such as you might use for many Sunco Lighting fixtures, and for many appliances in household receptacles, is sized as a 12- or 14-gauge wire. That means that the diameter of a 12-gauge wire would be larger than a 14-gauge wire. Ohm’s Law - as resistance increases, voltage decreases. In the AWG designations, the larger number indicates a smaller wire size. Wire Size & Amp Ratings for Copper AWG Wires The current capacity of a wire indicates the amount of current that can be safely carried on that wire. For instance, a size 12 wire is rated for 20 amps. Smaller wires offer greater resistance than larger wires. The AWG standard allows consumers to recognize that a set wire gauge (size) will be rated for a specific amount of amperes or amps. Application and your current needs are what is important when selecting wire. It is not a statement regarding the quality of a wire.īigger is not always better. It’s a logarithmic stepped system to indicate the diameter sizing of electrically conducting wires (round/solid/nonferrous). You may also see it referred to as Brown & Sharpe wire gauge. The North American standard for sizing electrical wires was set by the American Wire Gauge system (AWG) and has been in place since 1857. Naturally, you don’t want your wiring to melt or catch fire, so following AWG standards is necessary when planning your lighting. Wire ampacity indicates the recommended current levels for a specific wire to prevent overloading that wire and circuit. There are standards in place to help ensure safety and indicate the ampacity for each wire. Most LED household lighting fixtures use small wires to carry a low current. ![]() This overview blog is designed to help you understand wire standards, the type of wire you need, how to select the right wire gauge, along with how to recognize electrical wire labeling and color coding. Prior to installing these light fixtures, you may find that you need to run a wire to reach your new fixture. Several Sunco Lighting LED fixtures are designed to be hardwired and already include internal wiring to connect to supply wires. ![]()
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