To: Spit list
Subject: Wire 101
Importance: Low
I would like to submit to the list the following as a primer for the
basics for wire on our LBC's. Most of this information is available
through SAE specs. if you have them or you can e-mail me for the
nitty-gritty.
I have found that many auto parts companies and some of the people that
SHOULD know about wire don't know Squat.
I sell wire for a living, Automotive , Appliance, ect.,
Some of you go to the local auto store and pick up a roll of whatever
they have available to re-wire your project whatever it may be.
Did you know that there is a big difference in automotive wire (types) ?
Knowledge is a good thing, as I have found, complete knowledge is a
pipedream.. but I DO know THIS stuff!
Let me preface all the following by telling you how to assertain the AWG
of a wire.
First, take a small cut, about 1/2", remove the insulation, count the
individual strands of the copper, use a mic and measure ONE strand.
Count the number of total strands that you have.
Then use the following to see what AWG of wire you have.
7/.028=20
16/.030=18
19/.029=16
19/.027=14
19/.025=12
19/.023=10
19/.021=8
37/.021=6
There are three distinct types of insulation on automotive wire.
Extruded = GPT -40c to 80c
Crosslinked = SXL,GXL,TXL ,-51c to 125c
Was the standard for all automotive applications until about 5 years
ago. This material is Crosslinked PVC, it's extruded through a tube
under heat and pressure to "crosslink" or change the molecules of the
insulation to another state.
GPT type, automotive Primary Wire. Thermoplastic; SAE-J1128
This insulation can be melted with a heat source, you can change the
form with heat.
Most of your local-yokel autoparts houses sell the cheapest type of
automotive wire available to them, the most common is what in the
industry is called "GPT". The insulation on this wire is PVC usually a
-40c to +80c. The wall thickness of this material is .023 from 20 AWG to
14 AWG. I have found that this is the standard for our LBC's. For those
that have access to the SAE manuals it's SAE J-1128.
SXL type, automotive Primary Wire. SAE J-1128
This material is crosslinked PVC.
Heat source will cause a "popcorn" effect to the wire. Insulation will
not "melt" off wire.
Wall thickness of insulation is;
20 AWG .029
18 AWG .30
16 AWG .032
14 AWG .035
12 AWG .037
10 AWG .041
8 AWG .043
GXL type, automotive Primary Wire. SAE J-1128
Same as above on heat.
Wall thickness of insulation is ;
20 AWG .023
18 AWG .023
16 AWG .023
14 AWG .023
12 AWG .026
10 AWG .031
8 AWG .037
TXL type, automotive Primary Wire. SAE J-1560
Same as above on heat.
Wall thickness of insulation is ;
20 AWG .016
18 AWG .016
16 AWG .016
14 AWG .016
12 AWG .016
I know this seems like a mess but if you have questions please call me
@1 800/692-2323 Ext. 2105
Or visit our web site, www.iewc.com
> -Craig Smith
> -800/692-2323 ext. 2105
> -fax 864/234-1020
> -craigs@iewc.com
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