Wire gauges for control panel?

rknerem · 02-17-2012, 05:26 PM

I plan on using this schematic for my control box wiring (special thanks to PJ). I can figure everything out but the correct wire gauges for the internal wiring. Wondering if someone can tellme what wire to use throughout?

Thanks in advance.

**kal** · 02-17-2012, 05:51 PM

Anything that carries over 15 up to 30 amps should be 10 ga.

Anything that carries between 0-15 amps should be 14 ga.

The DC signal wires to the SSRS can be much smaller if you like, 18-22 ga.

There's never any harm using anything larger.

Make sure the wire's also rated to the voltage you want to carry.

Kal

**nhwrecker** · 02-17-2012, 07:09 PM

And stranded copper wire is easier to work with than solid core.

HHP · 02-17-2012, 07:13 PM

Use lots of zip ties and those sticky pads they attach to.

rknerem · 02-17-2012, 07:15 PM

So 12 gauge stranded will work for everything but the wires for the elements? Which will be 10 gauge stranded.

audger · 02-20-2012, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rknerem

So 12 gauge stranded will work for everything but the wires for the elements? Which will be 10 gauge stranded.

that will be overkill for the control circuits, but yes that will work.

brewhokie · 02-20-2012, 04:46 PM

Any particular reason you couldn't use 16awg on the 120v circuits? Everything is fused at either 10amps or 1 amp.

rknerem · 02-20-2012, 06:25 PM

Just happen to have a bunch of 12 gauge wire to use up.

BWN · 02-21-2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kal

Anything that carries over 15 up to 30 amps should be 10 ga.

Anything that carries between 0-15 amps should be 14 ga.

The DC signal wires to the SSRS can be much smaller if you like, 18-22 ga.

There's never any harm using anything larger.

Make sure the wire's also rated to the voltage you want to carry.

Kal

Just to be clear when you say carries, do you mean how much the device is pulling? Do the ground wires going to the pump need to be 10 gauge? If the ground wire coming in is from the bus bar from the 50 amp service could I still use 14 gauge to the pumps.

amb1935 · 02-21-2012, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewhokie

Any particular reason you couldn't use 16awg on the 120v circuits? Everything is fused at either 10amps or 1 amp.

16 awg wire has a max ampacity of 13 A. Even if you fuse a circuit below that ampacity, you should still have an agreement between wire size and breaker size. A 15 A breaker won't trip until about 12 A or so, meaning your wire should be fine, but I wouldn't bet my house/garage on it. I would always use a minimum of 14 awg for residential wiring. It would be against code to use 16 awg with a 20 A breaker at 120v.