Here are the ends of two wires from two electrical cords that were marked on the jacket the same 18-2 600v etc. The full wire one is from a Craftsman shop vacuum and the other is from my "inventory". May have been the older vacuum or not, I can't remember which cord is older. Does anyone have an explanation as to why the two rated cords are so different? The one has significantly more wire and less fiber.
--earlgo
My guess is price, but is there a code for the amount of copper in an 18 ga conductor?It's a puzzlement
It's a puzzlement
Before you do anything, you must do something else first. - Washington's principle.
-
- Posts: 1852
- Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 4:05 pm
- Location: Elmwood, Wisconsin
Re: It's a puzzlement
For stranded wire AWG specifies the cross-sectional area of the equivalent solid conductor. The stranding can vary. I suspect that if you measured each strand and added up the areas they would be roughly equal. Appliance cords have to comply with UL standards.
-
- Posts: 219
- Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:10 am
Re: It's a puzzlement
Stranded conductors for portable tools will have a large number of fine wires. Stranded conductors that are not needed to move will have a lesser number of larger wires. The total cross section of the wires should be the same. John Hassler is correct. AWG specifies cross section.
Re: It's a puzzlement
I always thought those fibers were for strain relief. It was a way to lock the cord by the clamp and less pull upon the copper. Many people cut the fibers off because they get in the way of soldering at the connection. I have pulled them to the side, twisted, run around a bolster and clamped it along with the cord clamp.
Re: It's a puzzlement
The fibers are wound around the copper strands to hold them while the wire is run through the insulation extruder.
I had the pleasure of being associated with a custom wire shop at one time...
Pete
I had the pleasure of being associated with a custom wire shop at one time...
Pete
Just tryin'
- neanderman
- Posts: 896
- Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 7:15 pm
- Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Re: It's a puzzlement
Thanks for the education!10KPete wrote:I had the pleasure of being associated with a custom wire shop at one time...
Pete
Ed
LeBlond Dual Drive, 15x30
US-Burke Millrite MVI
Atlas 618
Files, snips and cold chisels
Proud denizen of the former "Machine Tool Capitol of the World"
LeBlond Dual Drive, 15x30
US-Burke Millrite MVI
Atlas 618
Files, snips and cold chisels
Proud denizen of the former "Machine Tool Capitol of the World"
Re: It's a puzzlement
I wondered about that too. Then I erred by mentioning "strain relief" at that point. Where 3-4 individually insulated wires emerge from the cord sheath, there is often a twine around them. I guess it served the same purpose.
Re: It's a puzzlement
Ok, all you whiz kids are right. The two conductors had approximately the same current carrying area.
The full wire conductor had 41 each .006 dia wires for a total of .001159in^2 copper.
The fiber wound conductor had 16 each .010 dia wires for a total of .001257in^2 copper.
Thanks to you gentlemen, I again learned something and can quit for the day.
--earlgo
The full wire conductor had 41 each .006 dia wires for a total of .001159in^2 copper.
The fiber wound conductor had 16 each .010 dia wires for a total of .001257in^2 copper.
Thanks to you gentlemen, I again learned something and can quit for the day.
--earlgo
Before you do anything, you must do something else first. - Washington's principle.