Cable thickness varies greatly depending on their purpose and intended use. There isn't one single answer. The thickness is often specified by the cross-sectional area of the individual cores (measured in mm²) or by the American Wire Gauge (AWG) system.
Common Cable Sizes and Applications
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Common sizes in mm²: Common sizes of cables are 1, 1.5, 2.5, 4, 6, and 10 mm². This measurement represents the cross-sectional area of the individual cores. [Source: Reference text provided] Larger numbers indicate thicker cables, capable of carrying more current.
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AWG System: The AWG system uses numbers to specify wire diameter, with lower numbers indicating thicker wires. For example, 12 AWG is thicker than 14 AWG. [Source: A Guide to Wire Gauge Sizes - Precision Manufacturing Company Inc.] This system is often used in North America.
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Examples of Cable Thicknesses:
- Household wiring: Often uses cables with cross-sectional areas ranging from 1.5mm² to 6mm².
- Submarine communication cables: Can be quite thick, with a diameter around 69mm. [Source: How thick is the submarine communication cable (optical fiber)? Will ...]
- Golden Gate Bridge cables: These are exceptionally thick, with a diameter of approximately 3 feet. [Source: This is how thick one of the cables holding up the Golden Gate ...]
- CableMod basic cables: The thickness isn't specified directly, but user comments on Reddit suggest the need for cable combs, indicating a significant diameter. [Source: How thick are the Cablemod basic cables? : r/cablemod]
- Solar panel extension cables: Recommendations vary but 12 or 14 AWG are often suggested. [Source: How thick of solar panel extension cables do I really need ...]
- Headphone cables: These can vary significantly, with some described as "thick braided cables." [Source: Custom Thick Braided Cables – Hart Audio Cables]
The current-carrying capacity of a cable is not solely determined by its thickness but also depends on installation factors. Thicker cables generally have a higher capacity but are also more rigid and harder to work with. The selection of an appropriate cable size involves considering both the current requirements and practical installation constraints.
