March 1935 Radio-Craft
[Table of Contents]
Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics.
See articles from Radio-Craft,
published 1929 - 1953. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged.
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Radio-Craft magazine used to run a feature where readers would write in with questions, and
someone on the staff would respond. This month's query requested a table containing current
carrying capacities for various wire gauge sizes. Values of fusing current were provided for 10
through 40 GA, for copper, German silver, and iron. The "B. & S. Gauge" wire size scale refers to
Brown & Sharpe, which now goes by the designation of American Wire Gauge (AWG).
Current-Carrying Capacity of Wire
(313) Mr. L. L. Sander, Los Angeles, Calif. (Q.) I should be
glad if you would tell me where a chart showing current-carrying
capacity of wires of various gauges can be obtained.
(A.) Since a wire will pass current until it fuses, we print herewith an
interesting chart (courtesy of General Electric Supply Company) showing
current necessary to fuse wires of different gauges and materials. Note
that a No. 40 copper wire will actually take over 1.5 amps. without fusing!

Current Required to Fuse Wires, Copper, German Silver, and Iron
Posted October 10, 2016
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