Definition of wire cross-section - a review of effective methods

The important point is that even if you correctly perform all the calculations and choose the right product, such trouble as an accident can still occur.This is due to the fact that not always cross section, which is indicated on the labeling of wires corresponds to the actual values.This wine is only the manufacturer, because, undoubtedly characteristics do not match due to any economic "tricks" in the company.Sometimes wires and cables on the shelves without any labeling, which also let into question their quality.

You may ask: "Why spoil the reputation of the company?", To which you can immediately find several logical responses:

1. plant decided to save on the quality of the goods.For example, if you make a 2.5-milimmetrovuyu wire thinner by 0.2 mm.kv., you can win a few kilograms of metal per 1 kilometer pursuit.With mass production economy has decent numbers.
2. In the struggle for "a place under the sun" for wiring manufacturing companies are trying to lure the consumer to make the price lower than that of competitors.Accordingly, the low price is set by a slight reduction in diameter (not much eye).

As you can see, both the answer is quite reasonable, so it is better to warn myself and make a few simple calculations, which we'll talk further.

Methods for determining

There are several ways to determine the cross-section of the cable.They all boil down to the fact that first calculate the diameter of the wires, and then with the help of small settlements to know the final value.

method №1 - Devices to help!

To date, there are engineering tools, with which you can easily determine the diameter of the conductor wire or cable.Such devices include caliper and micrometer (zoom photo by clicking to view all of the tools).

Mechanical Micrometer Electronic Micrometer mechanical caliper Electronic caliper

This method of determining the most accurate, but the "downside" is the cost of the caliper / micrometer.The price, of course, not space, for one-time use but it makes no sense to buy this tool.

Most often, this option is selected professional electricians, whose life is directly related to electrical installation.With the caliper can be most accurately determine the wire size on their own.The advantage of this technique is that the core diameter can be measured even in the operating line section (for example in the socket).

After the measurement must use the following formula:

Do not forget that the number of "Pi" is 3.14.For maximum simplification of the formula 3.14 can be divided into four, and then reduce to multiplication computation by the diameter of 0.785 square!

Method №2 - Use a ruler

If you do not want to spend money (and correctly and do!), It is recommended to use a simple "antiquated" method to determine the wire size for its diameter.If there is a wire, a pencil and a ruler, you can find an answer in minutes.All you need - clean up the mine on the insulation, and then tightly screwed it on the pencil (as shown in the picture) and a ruler to measure the overall length of the winding.

essence of the method lies in the fact that it is necessary to measure the total length of the wound conductor and divide it by the number of cores.Meaning that happen - the diameter of which you need to identify.

Despite its simplicity, the calculations have their own feature:

• the larger veins will be wound on a pencil, the more accurate the results will be released, the minimum number of turns - 15;
• coils must be closely pressed against each other, that there is no free space, which will significantly increase the error;
• definition is necessary to carry out several times (changing the direction of the initial measurement, turning line, etc.).Again, the more calculations - the smaller the error.

draw your attention to the significant shortcomings of this method.Firstly, only thin wires are suitable for measurement (for reasons that will be difficult for the thick cable to wind).Secondly, in the store prior to purchase for such a procedure is necessary to separately purchase a small piece of the product.

After all the measurements you need to take advantage of the same formula that we have indicated above.

method №3 - Using tables

Instead, to determine the cross section of cable according to the formula, you can simply use a ready-made table that will reduce your time and make the results more accurate.

Tips from electrician

We have provided the existing methods, but that's not all.

recommend that you familiarize yourself with the following tips from experienced electricians to determine the wire cross-section:

1. addition section of the product, pay attention to the metal core.Copper or aluminum conductor should have a distinctive rich color.If the color is uncertain, it is likely this metal alloy, which saves the manufacturer to their funds.This alloy is extremely dangerous for the installation of wiring in the house, becauseits current conductivity and nominal load at times less than the original product.
2. cross section must be determined only on the core.Even if the product mean normal thickness, this option is possible that the reduced size cores were compensating for increased insulation layer.
3. If you are in doubt about the amount of conductor, purchase a larger cross-section wire.Power reserve does not hurt your wiring!
4. If you're dealing with the cable, the calculation will be slightly changed (due to the fact that the cable can be composed of the n-th number of wires).To properly perform the calculations, you first need to determine the diameter of the individual wires, and then summarize all the values ​​and select the product according to the final number.

Video instruction

We found a very interesting video instruction, which shows not only how to determine the wire size, but also a vivid example of different quality products from several manufacturing plants.If you know the Ukrainian language, then the video will be useful to you and will be able to respond to the emerging issues, if any!

We hope that now you know how to determine the wire size by its diameter.If you have any questions, ask them instantly to our experts in the comments or the category "FAQ"!
Also read:

• Specification Lead VVGng
• How to remove the insulation from the wire?
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