speaker wire question again

[Alex2507]

well, altogether (estimating by eye) they seem to be bigger than the required 2.0+mm diameter. it's just that i have another gauge 12 that's a lot bigger.

Now I want to know why. Like I said, I bet Gene knows and you could check with monoprice. Either way, please let me know if you find out.

 

[mtrycrafts]

well, altogether (estimating by eye) they seem to be bigger than the required 2.0+mm diameter. it's just that i have another gauge 12 that's a lot bigger.

Yes, but if the strands are thicker and fewer, you have more air space and larger overall diameter. Besides, you have a precision instrument, use it Or, is it just for the display case
Do you have a solid 12ga house wire to compare it to?

 

[mike c]

and then, this monoprice 12/4 looks a lot beefier than the monoprice 12/2 i bought

which is why i hesitated opening the new 12/2 roll. (it sure was a good thing i bought them last year even though i had no intentions of using them)

i'll try to get a pic of all 3-4 wires: BJC 12/2, Harris Cable 12/2, Monoprice 12/4 and if i feel like opening the Monoprice 12/2

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=482197&postcount=317

Yes, but if the strands are thicker and fewer, you have more air space and larger overall diameter. Besides, you have a precision instrument, use it Or, is it just for the display case
Do you have a solid 12ga house wire to compare it to?

lol. yes i do have some THHN wire ... but here in the Philippines, they've always been specc'ed by their mm size. i.e. 2.0; 3.0

 

[Rickster71]

You're all on the right track.
It comes down to conductor area, measured in Circular mils. 12AWG = 6530 Cir. Mils. (stranded or solid, 12AWG = 6530 Cir. Mils)
The reason for the finer stranding in some wire types, is for flexibility.
So speaker wire and extension cords will have fine strands, and wire that's intended to be more permanent will have thicker strands or have a solid conductor.

 

[mtrycrafts]

and then, this monoprice 12/4 looks a lot beefier than the monoprice 12/2 i bought

which is why i hesitated opening the new 12/2 roll. (it sure was a good thing i bought them last year even though i had no intentions of using them)

i'll try to get a pic of all 3-4 wires: BJC 12/2, Harris Cable 12/2, Monoprice 12/4 and if i feel like opening the Monoprice 12/2

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=482197&postcount=317



lol. yes i do have some THHN wire ... but here in the Philippines, they've always been specc'ed by their mm size. i.e. 2.0; 3.0

My book of tables indicates that a 12ga is 2.053mm diameter.
Yes, circular mills works too if you have that info but that is not metric.
So, if you have a 2mm wire measured with your micrometer, that is 12ga, very close anyhow.

 

[Rickster71]

Below is a link to Conductor Area Equivalents:
http://www.technick.net/public/code/cp_dpage.php?aiocp_dp=guide_awg_to_metric
It will help with the AWG to mm conversion.