What is the wire guage for PC power? (molex connectors?)

[dalfollo]

I am looking to do some custome molex lengths and want to make sure the wires are the correct size...

 

[Big Lar]

Just a guess in the dark after looking at em, I'd "guess" 20

 

[Jhhnn]

18 gauge is standard- check it out at www.formfactors.org...

 

[SpeedFreak03]

Are u sure it isnt 16? Cause I spliced in some 16 guage "hook-up" wire from Radio Shack (for a fan) a while back, and I remember it being the same size. But I guess it is 18.

 

[Zepper]

Most PSU's 5" drive and ATX connectors are wired with 20 ga. wire these days some also use 22 ga. for the 3" drive connector segments. Check it for yourself - get a magnifying glass and read the fine print on the sides of your PSU's wiring. In the old days, it was 18 ga. for everything. I've got a very old 5" power Y here that's wired with 18 ga...
..bh.

 

[dalfollo]

so i will head off to Radio shack and pick up some 18 guage wire...thanks.

 

[Geomagick]

Looking at the cables on my enermax PSU it varies between 16 and 20AWG.

Just at a glance it can be a little confusing because of the thick PVC insulation - if you want to go for some nice looking thin wire you could try using Kapton cable.

But this is very expensive and you will need special wire strippers because of the two layer insulation - one white (ish) and one golden brown. Still would look really good.

 

[Zepper]

Actually with the short lengths used in PSU wiring the gauge of the wire is almost irrelevant. What is important is that your crimps be EXCELLENT or that you crimp AND solder. Get just the right amount of resistance in a high current lead (like some in the ATX connector) and you will find your wire insulation melting and your connection shells turning black before even they melt. I've seen that happen even in drive leads which don't really carry that much current (Amps) any more.
.bh.

 

[stevennoland]

I find it kind of amusing that among all the stated gages (sizes) no one mentioned the kind of wire (solid vs stranded) you should use. Although, either would work, I have yet to see a power supply with solid wire. Get stranded wire if you can. The solid bends (and stays bent) too easily. Oh yea, get 18 gage for molex, and 20 gage for three prong fan connectors.

 

[beatle]

Definitely stranded. Soldering to solid core wire is practically futile anyway.