Wire size recognition

[Daydream believer]

2 questions here
I want to wire in my new chart plotter plus my AIS ( NMEA183 wiring)
I am considering using Wago connectors instead of the choc box connectors, with bootlace ends on the wires, that I used in the past.

However, I am not sure what Wago connectors to buy, because I have no idea what size wiring I have. I think Wago do a range of sizes dependent on wire diameter- is that correct? I am also worried that with very thin wires the Wagos may just cut through the wires, if there is any vibration- Is that an issue?
Will Wago connectors be OK with very thin wiring, or should I just solder together & hope I do not have a maintenance issue, or should I use bootlace ends & stick with choc box connectors? I would prefer the ability to disconnect when needed, without soldering, away from home, if I have an issue


I would assume (& we all know what assumption is!!) that if I go to somewhere like Screwfix I will get those most suitable for household diameter wires. - Will I?
Have not tried yet!!

So as a general query, not just about this particular problem,. If I pick up a piece of electrical wire, how do I determine its sizing? Just saying it is XAWG or Xmm2 means nothing to me, because I cannot calculate the cross sectional area very easy.

How do I determine the AWG of a very thin wire ?. The wires on my AIS are so thin they almost break if I look at them. Can I put my Micrometer across the diameter & tell from that?

 

[Boathook]

I've been using the WAGO 222-412 connectors (the ones with an orange lever) to connect cables. They cover sizes 0.08 to 2.5 mm square cables and seem to grip data cables well. I'm using them to wire in my AIS. Much easier than choc blocks.

 

[LadyInBed]

For sizes, look on the WAGO website.
To get mechanical strength on thin wires you could heat shrink several wires together at the entry point to the connector.
With the old choc block I used to fold thin wires back along the insulation and clamp wire and insulation together to get mechanical strength. I'm not sure if you can do that with WAGO.

 

[doug748]

I bought a bag of these, which I thought were handy:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/ideal-le...et/6472g#product_additional_details_container

They only nip down to 0.2mm 2 (c 0.5mm dia) rather than the 0.3mm dia of the Wagos mentioned. This may not matter if adding sleeves or doubling up and tinning.

 

[PaulRainbow]

2 questions here
I want to wire in my new chart plotter plus my AIS ( NMEA183 wiring)
I am considering using Wago connectors instead of the choc box connectors, with bootlace ends on the wires, that I used in the past.

Good plan :encouragement:

However, I am not sure what Wago connectors to buy, because I have no idea what size wiring I have. I think Wago do a range of sizes dependent on wire diameter- is that correct?

Your wiring will usually consist of mostly of 1.5mm and 2.5mm for general wiring. NMEA 0183 wiring can be .22mm or a little thicker. N2K is thicker.

The Wago 221 series will take wires from 0.14mm to 4.0mm

https://www.wago.com/global/electri...stallation-terminal-blocks-and-connectors/221

I am also worried that with very thin wires the Wagos may just cut through the wires, if there is any vibration- Is that an issue?

Not an issue, the Wago connector clamps the wire, it isn't an IDC connector.

Will Wago connectors be OK with very thin wiring, or should I just solder together & hope I do not have a maintenance issue, or should I use bootlace ends & stick with choc box connectors? I would prefer the ability to disconnect when needed, without soldering, away from home, if I have an issue

No choc blocks, please :ambivalence: You can of course solder and heat shrink, but if you want to be able to remove them, the Wago is a good solution. When i fit chart plotters at the helm, for instance, i stick some Wago connectors in the back of the helm pod with some quick drying epoxy and use those for NMEA 0185 or power connections. I don't like to see the connectors just dangling around, so stick them in place, or cable tie the wiring securely close to the connector.

I would assume (& we all know what assumption is!!) that if I go to somewhere like Screwfix I will get those most suitable for household diameter wires. - Will I?
Have not tried yet!!

Screwfix stock Wago 221 connectors.

So as a general query, not just about this particular problem,. If I pick up a piece of electrical wire, how do I determine its sizing? Just saying it is XAWG or Xmm2 means nothing to me, because I cannot calculate the cross sectional area very easy.

How do I determine the AWG of a very thin wire ?. The wires on my AIS are so thin they almost break if I look at them. Can I put my Micrometer across the diameter & tell from that?

Lots of online calculators, such as https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/wire/awg-to-mm.html

 

[PaulRainbow]

I've been using the WAGO 222-412 connectors (the ones with an orange lever) to connect cables. They cover sizes 0.08 to 2.5 mm square cables and seem to grip data cables well. I'm using them to wire in my AIS. Much easier than choc blocks.

I used to use those, but the newer 221 series is smaller and neater, the levers require much less force and they take wires up to 4mm. There is also a version of the 221 that will take up to 6mm wires.

 

[Daydream believer]

The Wago 221 series will take wires from 0.14mm to 4.0mm

https://www.wago.com/global/electri...stallation-terminal-blocks-and-connectors/221

Lots of online calculators, such as https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/wire/awg-to-mm.html

Thanks
That is the sort of info I was looking for.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks
That is the sort of info I was looking for.

You're welcome :encouragement:

 

[Zing]

I sometimes use gel filled telecoms connectors by 3M, especially if there is a chance of moisture being present. They are designed for thin wires.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I sometimes use gel filled telecoms connectors by 3M, especially if there is a chance of moisture being present. They are designed for thin wires.

For thin, single strand wires. Not good for multi core wires.

 

[lw395]

If I really want to know the AWG size of some wire, I have a pair (well, several!) of wre strippers with multiple slots in the jaws calibrated in AWG and/or sqmm.

My crimper is fairly tolerant of AWG size on bootlace ferrules, so long as you don't use a stupidly big ferrule it should pass a reasonable pull test.

 

[Zing]

For thin, single strand wires. Not good for multi core wires.

Thanks. It does seem to work fine though.

 

[pvb]

For thin, single strand wires. Not good for multi core wires.

I'd essentially agree, but Raymarine used to supply them with their GPS antennae, which had multistrand wire.

 

[Daydream believer]

I sometimes use gel filled telecoms connectors by 3M, especially if there is a chance of moisture being present. They are designed for thin wires.

I believe (I stand to be corrected) that Wago do a moisture resistant sealant for use with some of their connectors. But if not available, would not a smear of Vaseline do the trick, or does it degrade & cause more problems than it solves?

 

[pvb]

... would not a smear of Vaseline do the trick, or does it degrade & cause more problems than it solves?

It degrades some materials allegedly....

 

[Zing]

If I really want to know the AWG size of some wire, I have a pair (well, several!) of wre strippers with multiple slots in the jaws calibrated in AWG and/or sqmm.

You can measure its resistance per foot and look up which size is the closest.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I believe (I stand to be corrected) that Wago do a moisture resistant sealant for use with some of their connectors. But if not available, would not a smear of Vaseline do the trick, or does it degrade & cause more problems than it solves?

If you need waterproof joins, use waterproof connectors. For single wires it's hard to beat glue lined heat shrink connectors.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I'd essentially agree, but Raymarine used to supply them with their GPS antennae, which had multistrand wire.

Indeed, glad to see they no longer supply them. Do you think they read one of my posts on here ?

 

[PaulRainbow]

Thanks. It does seem to work fine though.

Tow bar fitters used to think Scotchloks worked fine too

 

[lw395]

Tow bar fitters used to think Scotchloks worked fine too

In my experience, 6 out of 7 of them usually do. The 7th one will often be the earth....