18 awg definition

[JohnByrne]

I'm seeing lots of pixels advertised as 18 AWG but the details state 32 or so strands at .11mm diameter. Researching and it looks like that is not 18AWG but much smaller. For you electrical experts, is a 32 strand .11mm wire good enough for our application ... is it really 18 AWG?

[TomL8345]

John,

I haven't seen or heard of anyone making pixels using REAL 18 AWG wire. The thinner wire is fine as you are still way below the amperage limit of the wire. The bigger issue is thinner wire has more voltage loss over a distance.

I buy pixels that claim 18awg knowing that I will be getting less. It's like buying a 2x4 and getting a 1.5x3.5

[1pet2_9]

I got 12v pixels at the expo, which claimed they were true 18awg. I was able to run 300 pixels straight without power injection.

[mrGrumpy]

I got 12v pixels at the expo, which claimed they were true 18awg. I was able to run 300 pixels straight without power injection.

Would that be at full bright white, or a reduced illumination?

[1pet2_9]

I think it was white but reduced.

[mrGrumpy]

John,

I haven't seen or heard of anyone making pixels using REAL 18 AWG wire. The thinner wire is fine as you are still way below the amperage limit of the wire. The bigger issue is thinner wire has more voltage loss over a distance.

I buy pixels that claim 18awg knowing that I will be getting less. It's like buying a 2x4 and getting a 1.5x3.5

IMO it's not so much like a 2X4, but that China sizes wire as mm2, and they don't understand our AWG......so when Joe Chin says his are 18 awg, then most of the eBay, the majority of Amazon and all of AliExpress are just copycats resellers and post just like Joe Chin does.

[mrGrumpy]

I think it was white but reduced.

Since regulated 12V pixels actually run below 5V, reduced 300 should be possible, even 20 gauge

[pixelated]

Here is an interesting table.

https://www.calmont.com/wp-content/u...wire-gauge.pdf

[rayhjr]

That is Most Interesting! That means most of my Pixels Are 18Awg CCU, so still 20Awg. and good for 5 amps. According to the chart anyway.

18awg3.png

18awg4.png