Nomenclature and Abbreviations in Electrical Distribution
Alternate ways are commonly used in the electrical industry to specify wire sizes as AWG.
- 4 AWG (proper)
-
- #4 (the number sign is used as an abbreviation for "number")
- No. 4 (No. is used as an abbreviation for "number")
- No. 4 AWG
- 4 ga. (abbreviation for "gauge")
- 000 AWG (proper for large sizes)
-
- 3/0 (common for large sizes) Pronounced 3 aught
- 3/0 AWG
- #000
- #3/0
The industry also bundles common wire for use in electric power distribution in homes and businesses, identifying a bundle's wire size followed by the number of wires in the bundle. The most common type of distribution cable, NM-B, is generally implied:
- #14/2 (also written "14-2") is a nonmetallic sheathed bundle of two solid 14 AWG wires. The insulation surrounding the two conductors is white and black. This sheath for 14 AWG cable is usually white when used for NM-B wiring intended for electrical distribution in a dry location. Newly manufactured cables without a separate ground wire (such as #14/2) are obsolete.
- #12/2 with ground (also written "12-2 w/gnd") is a nonmetallic sheathed bundle of three solid 12 AWG wires having a bare ground in the middle of two insulated conductors in a flat-shaped NM-B yellow-colored sheath. The color is a North American industry standard for cables made since 2003, and aids identification.
- #10/3 with ground (also written "10-3 w/gnd") is a nonmetallic sheathed bundle of four solid 10 AWG wires having a bare ground and three insulated conductors twisted into a round-shaped NM-B orange-colored sheath. The insulated conductors are black, white, and red. Some cable of this type may be flat to save copper.
Read more about this topic: American Wire Gauge
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