Whether you are installing new electrical wiring in your home or installing a heavy-duty electric appliance, it is highly important to ensure that you are using the right type of wire for it. This is due to the reason that if a given electric wire is not made for heavy-duty usage, then it won’t be able to handle high amounts of electric current. If you want to ensure the same, the easiest way to confirm this is to check the gauge rating of your wire, which tells you about its thickness.
For the same, you can find different gauge ratings like 8 gauge, 12 gauge, 16 gauge and various others. Out of all these options, a 16 gauge wire is going to be the smaller one that gets used quite commonly. But to be sure that whatever electric appliance you are using can be handled by your 16 gauge wire, you should know about the maximum current a 16 gauge wire can handle. And today, we are here with a complete guide on the maximum current a 16 gauge wire support along with all other necessary details that you can find down below.
What is the Maximum Current a 16 Gauge Wire Can Handle at 12 Volts?
Before considering a 16 gauge wire for home usage, let’s take a look at the maximum current a 16 gauge wire can handle at 12 volts. You may need to check this if you are working on smaller circuits or with an RV’s electric appliances. Because of the given voltage difference, a 16 gauge wire can handle about 10 amps at 12 volts.
This is because 1 amp equals 120 volts due to which 12 volts will be 0.833 amps. And if calculated correctly, a 16 gauge wire made for 13 amps will handle around 10 amps at 12 volts. While a 16 gauge wire can technically handle about 10 amps at 12 volts, it is still advised to not go over 8 amps. This is due to the reason that over a longer distance, your 16 gauge wire may have a non-uniform construction. And since this can cause electricity loss, you should use a 16 gauge wire for only 8 amps at 12 volts.
What is the Maximum Current a 16 Gauge Can Support?
Coming to the compatibility of 16 gauge wires inside your homes, let’s take a look at the maximum current supported by these wires. If you are using a standard-sized American 16 gauge wire, then it can carry up to 13 amps of current. A 16 gauge wire is not the thickest out there, limiting the maximum current it can carry. When you are comparing larger wire gauge sizes like 14 gauge or 12 gauge, a 16 gauge wire has a smaller cross-section which increases its electrical resistance. And thus, you can only use a 16 gauge write for up to 13 amps.
Choosing the Correct Current Capacity for 16 Gauge Wires
As we discussed earlier in the case of 12 volt electricity transmission over a 16 gauge wire, your 16 gauge wire may have non-uniform construction over a longer distance. Hence, choosing the correct current capacity for 16 gauge wires according to real-world usage is quite important. According to the UL-backed electrical wire size chart, you will find both 10 amps and 13 amps are the correct current capacity. Although, as you increase the length of 16 gauge wire above 50 feet, the recommended current capacity becomes 7 amps and 10 amps. Hence, whenever you get a 16 gauge wire, you will find the correct current capacity mentioned on them according to the length of the wire.
Different Types of 16 Gauge Wires
If you have ever bought electrical wire in the past, then you may know that you can find different types of wires even if they have the same gauge rating. This generally means that the different wires may use different kinds of metals. Fortunately, when it comes to these wires, you will only find copper wires out there. This ensures high conductivity with your 16 gauge wire for the most efficient electrical transmission.
Types of 16 Gauge Wires Based on Voltage
While buying a 16 gauge wire for your electrical circuits, you may also wonder if there are different types of wires for different voltages. Thankfully, all these wires out there can be used with any voltage of your choice without any issues. Whether you are using a 16 gauge wire for a 120 volt circuit or a 12 volt one, you can use the same wire without any issues. That being said, as mentioned previously, the maximum current supported by your 16 gauge wire will differ based on the electric voltage you are using.
What are the Applications of a Copper 16 Gauge Wire?
Now that you know more about 16 gauge wires, you might be wondering about the possible applications of copper 16 gauge wires. Because of the given size of 16 gauge wires, they are generally used in things like extension cords, audio equipment, automobiles, and much more. If you are talking about vehicles, it is mainly used for headlights, tail lights, turn signals, ignition coil, interior lighting, and other similar components found in all automobiles.
Do 16 Gauge Wires Use Aluminum?
As you may know, you can find both copper and aluminum-based wires out there and each one is used for different applications. And since aluminum wires are cheaper than copper ones, you may want to get the same for your 16 gauge wires. However, when talking about 16 gauge wires, you will only find copper wires. 16 gauge wires have a high resistance which can heat up aluminum quite a lot. It will lead to oxidation issues and may even cause short-circuit issues. If you wish to get aluminum wires, you will need a larger size like a 12 gauge wire.
Conclusion
By now, we have covered most of the important details regarding 16 gauge wires and the maximum current they can carry. Whether you are using 16 gauge wire inside your home or any vehicles, you can now easily pick the right wire according to the electric current that you need to transmit. We have even covered the applications and types of 16 gauge wires available out there, which will help you pick the ideal wires for your desired applications.
