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Hardware => Lynx Smart String => Topic started by: txag2008 on August 12, 2013,

Title: 3 conductor wire for SS
Post by: txag2008 on August 12, 2013,

I have lots of stranded 18AWG 3 conductor cable that I would like to use instead of purchasing the following, http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/100m-lot-3pin-cable-for-RGB-color-led-strip-module-20AWG-100m-long/701799_425559947.html (http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/100m-lot-3pin-cable-for-RGB-color-led-strip-module-20AWG-100m-long/701799_425559947.html).  Would the higher gauge cause any issues?  Anyone done this before?

Title: Re: 3 conductor wire for SS
Post by: caretaker on August 12, 2013,

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I have lots of stranded 18AWG 3 conductor cable that I would like to use instead of purchasing the following, http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/100m-lot-3pin-cable-for-RGB-color-led-strip-module-20AWG-100m-long/701799_425559947.html (http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/100m-lot-3pin-cable-for-RGB-color-led-strip-module-20AWG-100m-long/701799_425559947.html).  Would the higher gauge cause any issues?  Anyone done this before?

Simply No.  Higher gauge wire will not just allow more current (amps) to flow through it.  Although if you went to to large of a wire it could be a pain to work with but with your 18 awg I see no problems.

Title: Re: 3 conductor wire for SS
Post by: pk on August 12, 2013,

18 AWG will be fine and will have lower voltage drops than 20 AWG

Title: Re: 3 conductor wire for SS
Post by: chrisatpsu on August 12, 2013,

you already mentioned that you're using stranded, but just mentioning for the people months and years from now stumbling upon this to use stranded wire to try to keep your conductors from breaking.

Title: Re: 3 conductor wire for SS
Post by: Steve Gase on August 12, 2013,

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you already mentioned that you're using stranded, but just mentioning for the people months and years from now stumbling upon this to use stranded wire to try to keep your conductors from breaking.

and, we are told that stranded is better because the strands have more surface area than solid -- and electrons travel on the surface of the wire.

Title: Re: 3 conductor wire for SS
Post by: n1ist on August 13, 2013,

Skin effect (electrons travelling on the surface) only applies at much higher frequencies than we use.  For DC, resistance is the important factor.  The preference for stranded is only for flexibility.
/mike

Title: Re: 3 conductor wire for SS
Post by: txag2008 on August 13, 2013,

Thanks for the replies, it's what I was thinking but nice to get a second opinion.