Wire for control panel

[Frenchie]

Asking for a "friend".
I don't know the full details and my French is about as good as his English but he is asking if he can use 0.7mm single core wire as the common return on his control panel.I'm quite happy with Gaugemaster's 7*0.2 so I've never given it any thought.
I told him I didn't know the answer but I knew lots of people who do. I hope. Please.

[Newportnobby]

Personally I would not use single strand wire and stay with multi strand.

[ntpntpntp]

Is that 0.7mm diameter or 0.7mm squared (makes a difference ) ?

This table would seem to imply 0.7mm diameter is probably good for 3 amps, whereas 0.7mm squared is more like 6 amps.

https://www.jst.fr/doc/jst/pdf/current_rating.pdf



Multi-strand is generally easier to work with than single core.  Personally I'd go for 16*0.2 for a common return, or maybe even 24*0.2 if it's got to carry current for several locos.   I usually run 16/0.2 for DC track circuits (not common returned) and 24/0.2 for main bus wiring (DC or DCC).

[PLD]

Personally, I'd always go for multi-strand wire. More flexible and less prone to breakage.
7x0.2 as a minimum, but that's adequate for most jobs.

[jpendle]

We use 28 AWG single strand wire for many applications in my day job.

I use the 26AWG wire than I strip from Cat5E network cable for the wiring on my layout.

The KEY point being that single strand wire is not meant to be wiggled around randomly. It should not be used where the wire will be subject to flexing or other kinds of movement because it will eventually break.

So for wiring of a control panel single strand wire should be fine as it won't be subject to movement.

For things like wiring looms that will be connected and disconnected frequently then multi strand wire is better.

So why do we use single strand wire at work, I hear you all ask? We use wire wrap connections rather than solder joints and wire wrapping uses single strand wire.

Regards,

John P

Regards,

John P