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Electrical Inspections Contains discussions about electrical systems. This includes receptacles, panels, wiring, etc.

 
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  #1  
Old 3/21/07, 7:45 PM
amiller1 amiller1 is offline
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Default Is there a tool for determining the gauge of a wire?

I was wondering if anyone knew of a tool, exact name please, for determining the size of a wire for instances where no lable is visible? Some of these 4, 6 and 8 get hard to tell apart, especially in older wiring or wires with thicker insulation.

I have been searching the internet and I can't find anything.
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Old 3/21/07, 7:50 PM
Larry D. Kage Larry D. Kage is offline
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Default Re: Is there a tool for determining the gauge of a wire?

Until they are comfortable guaging wire some inspectors will go somewhere (big Box store< etc.) and buy a short piece of each wire size with the size on it to carry with them on inspections.



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Old 3/21/07, 8:00 PM
ldapkus ldapkus is offline
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Default Re: Is there a tool for determining the gauge of a wire?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lkage
Until they are comfortable guaging wire some inspectors will go somewhere (big Box store< etc.) and buy a short piece of each wire size with the size on it to carry with them on inspections.
I had an electrician friend supply me with samples when I was starting up.
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Old 3/21/07, 8:01 PM
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gbeaumont gbeaumont is offline
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Default Re: Is there a tool for determining the gauge of a wire?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lkage
Until they are comfortable guaging wire some inspectors will go somewhere (big Box store< etc.) and buy a short piece of each wire size with the size on it to carry with them on inspections.
Hi Larry, you must have sat in on one of my classes as that is just what I teach. wire guages are available but after many years of hearing horror stories of wires detaching from breakers and breakers becoming detached from busses I stopped recommending them.

Regards

Gerry



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Old 3/21/07, 8:02 PM
amiller1 amiller1 is offline
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Default Re: Is there a tool for determining the gauge of a wire?

I have carried samples for years just in case. I'm pretty good at wire sizing, however sometimes, even with samples in hand, it gets difficult. I currently have to figure out if a wire is #4 or #6. The wire is about 30 years old and has very thick insulation which makes it look a lot bigger than it is.

Anyhow, I was hoping there is some sort of tool for helping with the sizing.
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Old 3/21/07, 8:07 PM
amiller1 amiller1 is offline
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Default Re: Is there a tool for determining the gauge of a wire?

Quote:
Originally Posted by gbeaumont
wire guages are available

Gerry
Do you know exactly what the tool is called? or who carries one?
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Old 3/21/07, 8:37 PM
mthomas2 mthomas2 is offline
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Default Re: Is there a tool for determining the gauge of a wire?

When I first started out, I made this - I still use it, from time to time.
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Old 3/21/07, 8:41 PM
amiller1 amiller1 is offline
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Default Re: Is there a tool for determining the gauge of a wire?

For anyone who might want a sizing tool, I finally found one.

www.professionalequipment.com

Item #E659
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Old 3/21/07, 8:46 PM
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Marcel R. Cyr Marcel R. Cyr is offline
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Default Re: Is there a tool for determining the gauge of a wire?

Would not the simple wire stripping tool work? It does stripp the wire casing and not the wire, right? Tells you what size right on the tool.

Just a thought.

Marcel
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Old 3/21/07, 8:46 PM
mthomas2 mthomas2 is offline
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Default Re: Is there a tool for determining the gauge of a wire?

That would be:

http://www.professionalequipment.com...l-accessories/

Looks pretty tough to use that safely a panel, though....
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  #11  
Old 3/22/07, 11:23 AM
Paul W. Abernathy Paul W. Abernathy is offline
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Default Re: Is there a tool for determining the gauge of a wire?

Lookie....

The only SURE way to get it right is with practice and experience. The slip over or side guages simply can be wrong as insulation varies from type to type. The best method is to visit the supply house or supply store and get familiar with the different sizes....and I STRONGLY suggest making a CHEAT tool as Micheal has made.....really helps you visually when looking in the enclosure.



Paul W. Abernathy
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  #12  
Old 3/22/07, 11:33 AM
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tdietrich1 tdietrich1 is offline
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Default Re: Is there a tool for determining the gauge of a wire?

Quote:
Originally Posted by gbeaumont
I stopped recommending them.
Good advice, I noticed one guy pull out a 4" aluminum disk, with notches cut into it, and he went diving into a hot panel to 'gauge' live wires. I dove out of the room.

tom
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Old 3/22/07, 11:34 AM
Paul W. Abernathy Paul W. Abernathy is offline
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Default Re: Is there a tool for determining the gauge of a wire?

Quote:
Originally Posted by tdietrich1
Good advice, I noticed one guy pull out a 4" aluminum disk, with notches cut into it, and he went diving into a hot panel to 'gauge' live wires. I dove out of the room.

tom
Now see....I can picture that...........CLEAR.....panel Grenade......and TOM dives on the floor in a fetal position....



Paul W. Abernathy
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Old 3/22/07, 11:38 AM
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tdietrich1 tdietrich1 is offline
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Default Re: Is there a tool for determining the gauge of a wire?

Quote:
Originally Posted by pabernathy
Now see....I can picture that...........CLEAR.....panel Grenade......and TOM dives on the floor in a fetal position....
To add to the visual, imagine me wimping "I don't want to die, I don't want to die".

I found what he tried to use. http://www.romazone.com/images/wire_gauge_tool.JPG

As you can see you need to slide it over the bare conductor. With live breakers, and close together, you can short out several wires at one. Wow what a pretty shade of blue.

tom
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Old 3/22/07, 12:39 PM
Greg Fretwell Greg Fretwell is offline
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Default Re: Is there a tool for determining the gauge of a wire?

I carried a plastic caliper for a while and a card that had the sizes.
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