Wiring thickness question.

[Bav34]

Can I connect a very thin wire, carrying ais info, into a thicker wire without losing or corrupting data?

 

[viago]

i dont think you have to worry about thin wires feeding into thicker wires. the problems might occur the other way, ie pushing too much current through a thin wire turning it into a heat source. the resistance in cu wire is low and builds over length rather than width but should be ok for you as you already said it works.
an expert should be along soon to put things straight.

 

[Bav34]

Thanks.

I found this explanation clearer than yours but you are right

Resistance is inversely proportional to Area of Cross-Section, ie, the thickness of a conductor.

R α 1/A

It's obtained from the formula if Resistivity(ρ):
ρ = (R.A)/l

So, R = (ρ x l) / A

 

[David2452]

i dont think you have to worry about thin wires feeding into thicker wires. the problems might occur the other way, ie pushing too much current through a thin wire turning it into a heat source. the resistance in cu wire is low and builds over length rather than width but should be ok for you as you already said it works.
an expert should be along soon to put things straight.

If you are running it near other cables that may be emitting EMI it is more important to make sure the cable is shielded twisted pair rather than worrying about going up a size. Of course a normal pair or even singles will usually work but to give everything the best chance of consistant and continual reliability, particularly if additional stuff may be fitted down the line it never hurts to do the job right.

 

[nigelmercier]

Can I connect a very thin wire ... into a thicker wire without losing or corrupting data?

Not always, but in the case of AIS data, yes.

 

[savageseadog]

Data signal currents are very low so diameter isn't a problem. If it's data that's going at more than about 1 Mbits per second then you might need matched and screened coax cable or twisted pair cable if balanced signals. Even if lower data rate you may want to screen with coax to reduce interference in either direction. You need to consult the manufacturers data for the instrument and post it on here or consult with manufacturer. It's worth getting it right.

 

[pappaecho]

AIS data is generally transmitted on what used to be known as a current loop, but now generally called NMEA.
Current loop installations were used where there was high interference, nd which made unscreened RS232 a problem.
I dont think that your proposed connection will give you any problems

 

[Bav34]

Thanks all.