Can we twist the two ends of the wire together?

[Shervan360]

Hello,

We need 20 meters of 12 Gauge electrical wire but don't have 12 gauge wire. Can we use two 22 Gauge wires and twist the two ends of the wire together? Is it harmful to electronic appliances? for example, air conditioners

 

[Tech Junky]

Better update your insurance coverage for when it overheats.

Not all wire is made the same. In theory though it should give the same result but, it depends on if it's stranded or solid core but, I suspect it's indvidually shielded inside the jacket and thus the insurance suggestion. It will likely overheat and catch fire to anything around it.

 

[Shervan360]

Better update your insurance coverage for when it overheats.

Not all wire is made the same. In theory though it should give the same result but, it depends on if it's stranded or solid core but, I suspect it's indvidually shielded inside the jacket and thus the insurance suggestion. It will likely overheat and catch fire to anything around it.

Our wire is stranded wire.

 

[mindless1]

??

2 x 22ga is not equal to 1 x 12ga. in current capacity. Not even close!

No you can't do that, whether stranded or not, and this does not change based on type of insulation or shielding.

 

[Shervan360]

??

2 x 22ga is not equal to 1 x 12ga. in current capacity. Not even close!

No you can't do that, whether stranded or not, and this does not change based on type of insulation or shielding.

Thank you, but why 2 x 22ga is not equal to 1 x 12ga?
Could you please explain more?
Is there a safety problem? (It overheats and fires?)

 

[Steltek]

@mindless1 is right.

Your problem is that two #22 AWG wires carrying AC are not equal to a single #12 AWG wire. Such a combined wire would probably have the equivalent carrying capacity of closer to #18/19 AWG. To get a #12 AWG analog, you'd have to twist two (approximate) #15 AWG wires together. In fact, using #22 AWG, you'd probably have to simultaneously use about 11-12 sections of #22 together to get a #12 AWG analog.

And, there are safety issues even if you come up with a combination that equals a #12 AWG. If you are manually winding wires, you can't be sure you won't make a mistake. And a mistake on this type of thing could get you or your family killed if a wire overloads, melts, and starts a fire. Or, it could simply burn up your appliances (the replacement cost of which would be far in excess of the cost of getting the proper wire in the first place).

Finally, beyond safety, there are also the legal issues. In the US, it would be a violation of the national electrical code to do this within a dwelling. Elsewhere, it would depend upon your local codes.

Simply stated, it is a Very Bad Idea. Don't do it.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Simply stated, it is a Very Bad Idea. Don't do it.

This.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I wouldn't do that. It's best to use the proper gauges especially for permanent installations. #22 is also very thin so you are not going to get even close to the current requirement. A better way to figure it out is to convert the gauge to mm^2, you want at least equivalent, but I would go even higher to be safe as all the individual connections at each end would be a failure point so you want to introduce a bit of breathing room as not all wires will share current 100% equal.

I get that copper is crazy expensive right now though, so if you don't have any wire on hand that is suitable you may need to change/cancel your plans. 20 meters of 12 awg is going to run you $127 pre tax right now, so yeah, big ouch. Cheaper than dealing with a fire inside the walls though.

 

[Paperdoc]

What you propose is illegal and VERY Risky. Two of the possible problems: How can you be sure the joints you make are as good as solid copper? And, what happens when one of the two wires breaks or frays, and the entire load is forced through only ONE wire? Total overload, overheating, and likely fire!! In both cases you would not realize trouble was developing until the disaster strikes.

 

[mindless1]

^ bot

 

[PowerEngineer]

Electrical wires are designed so that the heat generated by the current passing through conductor can be dissipated without melting the insulation and/or starting nearby materials on fire. Heat generated goes up as the square of the current in the conductor so it is never a good idea to beyond the wire's maximum current rating.

Wire resistance is inversely proportional to the cross sectional area of the conductor. That area for a 22 AWG is only 0.326 mm2 (max current of 0.92 amps). That is just less than 10% of the 3.31 mm2 area for 12 AWG (max current of 9.3 amps).

You would need to put ten 22 AWG wires in parallel to have the equivalent capacity of just one 12 AWG.

Don't try it.