Electronics PSU wire

hi,

i searched the forums for wire gauge for psu wires and found most people recommending 24/0.2 (AWG).

i found some on maplins here:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=6198&&source=14&doy=5m6


the only thing im worried about is the maximum current it has is 6A, and my psu states 20a for the output of the +3,+5 and +12 rails.

is there anywhere that sells (in the uk) 24/0.2 with a higher max current?

thanks,
Bob.

 

Are you planning on interfacing everything in your computer through one line?

Unless you know you are going to draw 6 amps or more through the wire, you do not need to size it for the maximum output of the PSU.

If you do need more current handling capability, you need to go to a lower gauge of wire.

 

24/0.2 is not "AWG" (American Wire Gauge), it's a metric size. The ATX spec says 18AWG for all molex wires, 16AWG for the power wires in the motherboard connector.

18AWG is 0.823mm², 24/0.2 is 0.75mm², so near enough. Rapid sell 18AWG but only in small reels (30.5m).

16AWG at 1.31mm² is thicker than Maplins 32/0.2 (1mm²) but their 50/0.25 (2.5mm²) is a bit too thick for the connectors.

For fan controllers and lighting from a molex the 24/0.2 is fine but won't fit the small 3-pin connectors used on fans. 7/0.2 wire (rated at 1.4A) will fit and suits most fans. 16/0.2 (rated 3A) should also fit at a pinch and is more resistant to accidental damage.

 

I remember as a kid President Carter tried to get us all hooked on that fancy metric system stuff.

 

thanks for the help - ive ordered some 18AWG from rapid

 

The metric system is only for advanced civilisations.

 

Metric system does make more sense, but some things are still better by the ounce

[edit]

Also, a civilisation that understands what's going on is harder to control... Not that our government would be involved in any such activity

Word of the day is: Obfuscation