What do you guys use?

[pdoane]

I guess its a sign of getting older,... Im having trouble distiguishing between 14 and 12 guage wires now,.. next it will be my hearing and my wife already says im hard of hearing, though I prefer selective hearing ANYWAYS. I know there are wire guages I can use though I dread sticking anything into a open electrical panel,... I figured Id ask what you guys do, or use that is pretty safe and effective when it comes to determining wire over current or wire to breaker sizing. THANKS!

[mporras]

I made a "key" made out of a 2 inch segments of wires, from 14 gauge on up. I even labled each wire so that it has guage, and recommended breaker amperage on it. I soldered a small ring on the end of the wire, and put it all on a big key ring. If I need to determine guage, I just look at my key and compare the sizes.

Works for me...

I tried using the plastic card that is made for this purpose. It's a waste of money, especially since you have to stick your hand into the panel to use it, and hope that there is enough wire exposed to place the end of the card over it.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Not to mention the cards tend to LIE a bit when you are dealing with different thicknesses of insulation.

I agree with Mike......go to a local supply house and buy the following:

6"(inches) pieces of the following:

14AWG CU
12AWG CU
10AWG CU
8AWG CU
6AWG CU
4AWG CU
2AWG CU
1/0 AWG CU
2/0 AWG CU
6AWG AL
4AWG AL
2AWG AL
1AWG AL
1/0AWG AL
3/0AWG AL
4/0AWG AL
4 AWG CU- SOLID ( You can make an eyelet on the end for these )
6AWG CU- SOLID ( You can make an eyelet on the end for these )

ON all the solid ones....you just make an round eyelet on the end and for the stranded larger ones...screw a small eyelet like for holding pictures up in the end of the stranded wire....

Put them all on a ring like a large keychain and label them all for reference....and just get used to looking at them...getting a feel for them and so on....it may assist you.

[kmcmahon]

6'? That's a big keychain!

[pdoane]

Thanks guys,.. good ideas

[Linas I. Dapkus]

I got my "references" (ie. wire samples) from an electrician friend at no charge.

[Barry Adair]

I wear prescription Verilux eyewear, not the blind inspector, just require vision correction. These handle distance and reading.
I aso have a plastic cased 30x loupe for EIFS inspections and found this which might suit your needs. Whatever you decide make sure it won't carry current.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll..._promot_widget

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Originally Posted by kmcmahon

6'? That's a big keychain!

lol.......well loop it on a piece of 12AWG and twist the ends to make a loop..l....it's only for reference.

[Michael Larson]

Paul, why would we want 6 feet (6') of each??

[Paul W. Abernathy]

lol....opps........6"....lol........you know us guys.....we think EVERYTHING is bigger than it really is...lol....sorry for the typo...lol

[Michael Larson]

Paul, what is opps? .....lol

Have a great day.

[Bill Smith]

Not to mention the cards tend to LIE a bit when you are dealing with different thicknesses of insulation.

That is the easiest mistake to make - good point Paul -

[Adam J. Slimack]

Also. if in doubt and they are not visible at the breaker, eye them up to the outside of the panel and read the Romex to verify.

[pdoane]

Originally Posted by pabernathy

lol....opps........6"....lol........you know us guys.....we think EVERYTHING is bigger than it really is...lol....sorry for the typo...lol

Damnit!!!!!!! I just got back from the hardware store with 6 feet of everything,....
Just teasing you Paul! ha ha. I figured you ment 6 inch the first time. ALL good ideas,.. thanks to everyone for their input. I may try them all. Cant hurt. You guys rock.

[wforsyth]

Originally Posted by pdoane

I guess its a sign of getting older,... Im having trouble distiguishing between 14 and 12 guage wires now,.. next it will be my hearing and my wife already says im hard of hearing, though I prefer selective hearing ANYWAYS. I know there are wire guages I can use though I dread sticking anything into a open electrical panel,... I figured Id ask what you guys do, or use that is pretty safe and effective when it comes to determining wire over current or wire to breaker sizing. THANKS!

YOU"RE MARRIED!?!!!