Type of electrical wire

**earthlyken** · February 19th, 2013 12:44 PM

Good day mga sir,

Just want to get yur feedbacks and inouts regarding the right gauge size of electrical wire to use in the house.

1. Switch, light fixtures and socket?
2. Home appliances and kitchen applianve?
3. Water pumps?
4. 220 watts aircondition?
5. Main line in the panel box?

We hired a professional na electrician to wired the house, i just want to get your inputs guys, para pwede ko pabago just in case hinde tama yung size ng wire g agamitin niya and what brand kaya maganda para sa house electrical wire.

TIA

**testament11** · February 19th, 2013 01:51 PM

1. 2.0mm wire (AWG 14)
2. 3,5mm wire (AWG 12)
3. water pump wire will depend sa motor na gagamitin mo. may computation yan which is ampacity ng wire should be 1.25 times the current being drawn by the motor
4. 220 watts aircon? I would like to ask ilang HP ang aircon mo?
5. Main line, well it depends on the computation ng load ng bahay.

Di pwede na kung ano-anong wire ang ilalagay sa bahay ninyo. Once na under ampacity ang wire na nilagay sa bahay ninyo, may tendency na hindi kayanin ng wires yun pasok ng kuryente.

To add, doon sa home appliance, depende pa rin yan. Kung yun tinatawag namin na convenience outlet, 3.5mm wires will do. Pero kung ang isasaksak mo ay mga high powered appliances (common microwave oven is not included), hiwalay dapat ng breaker yan at circuit.

Motors should have separate circuit and breaker.

Get the best wire and breaker that you can buy. Mahirap na kalaban ang kuryente...

**glenn manikis** · February 19th, 2013 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by testament11

1. 2.0mm wire (AWG 14)
2. 3,5mm wire (AWG 12)
3. water pump wire will depend sa motor na gagamitin mo. may computation yan which is ampacity ng wire should be 1.25 times the current being drawn by the motor
4. 220 watts aircon? I would like to ask ilang HP ang aircon mo?
5. Main line, well it depends on the computation ng load ng bahay.

Di pwede na kung ano-anong wire ang ilalagay sa bahay ninyo. Once na under ampacity ang wire na nilagay sa bahay ninyo, may tendency na hindi kayanin ng wires yun pasok ng kuryente.

To add, doon sa home appliance, depende pa rin yan. Kung yun tinatawag namin na convenience outlet, 3.5mm wires will do. Pero kung ang isasaksak mo ay mga high powered appliances (common microwave oven is not included), hiwalay dapat ng breaker yan at circuit.

Motors should have separate circuit and breaker.

Get the best wire and breaker that you can buy. Mahirap na kalaban ang kuryente...

ask ko lang magkano po ba ang ganyan wire sa market yung isang box?

**testament11** · February 19th, 2013 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by glenn manikis

ask ko lang magkano po ba ang ganyan wire sa market yung isang box?

IIRC nung nagtanong kami ng tatay ko last time, yun 3.5mm wire na Phelps Dodge nasa 3.5-3.9k per box

**joemarski** · February 19th, 2013 02:51 PM

good day sir,

Medyo "madugo" itong ipatra- trabaho mo sa electrician mo based on the "loads" you mentioned.
i'm sure na merong "electrical plans" ito na gawa ng isang professional engineer.
Bigyan na lang kita ng basic guidelines sa pagpili ng tamang size/gauge and type of wires or cables.
1. Switch and light fixtures = # 14AWG (min.)
2. Home appliances = # 12 AWG (min.)
2a. Kitchen appliances = # 12 AWG (min.), same outlets as in no. 2
2b. Kitchen appliances like electric ranges or stoves = # 8 AWG (min.)
Note: usually malaki ang outlet nito, about 1-1/2 in. diameter and isa lang.
3. Water pumps = ilang watts or horsepower (hp) ang motor? 1-phase or 3-phase?
Tingnan mo na lang sa Load Schedule. as per PEC (Phil. Electrical Code), considered as
"motors" ang mga ito. Kaya # 8 AWG (min.) size of wires. depende rin sa engineer mo kung
kinonsider niya as "small appliance load", then you can use # 12AWG (min.).
4. 220 watts aircondition = there's no such thing. Surely, rated 220 volts 'yan. Then power rates/consumption
are in horsepower (hp). 746watts is equal to 1horsepower. Usually, ang mga window types of AC
are rated 3/4hp to 3hp. in this case, you can use # 12 AWG. but, this loads should have dedicated
Circuit Breaker. Meaning, no two outlets should share the same breaker. This goes the same with
the Water Pumps. 1 Circuit Breaker = 1 Outlet = 1 Appliance/Load.
5. Main line in the panel box = Check the Electrical Plans. I'm not sure what is your Feeder Line.
1-Phase or 3-Phase? Although i'm quite sure that the Line Voltage is 220/110Volts.
Sa Electrical Plans mo rin lang makikita ang Total Load (usually in Watts).
Given the Voltage and Watts (basically), that's how your engineer get the quantity and sizes of
Circuit Breakers to be used and also the "gauges" of wires or cables. I think your Feeder Line Cables
will not be smaller than # 6 AWG (min.).

Notice that the wires or cables are in AWG (American Wire Gage). The lower the AWG#, the bigger or
thicker the wire. Usually, the cables carry the AWG or the mm2 (metric) sizing. These are marked on the
wires, together with the Manufacturer's Name and date of manufacture. Get the fresher ones, less than
3years old or younger, hehehe. Also, as much as possible, get the Stranded type of wires or cables, THHN
or THWN. Easier to pull or install and more flexible. Avoid the Solid Conductors. They break easily and
the Current Carrying Capacity is lower. Stranded wires are more expensive than Solid wires.
A very small price to pay considering a sevice span of more than 20years. Cheers.

**Retz** · February 20th, 2013 03:38 PM

THHN/THWN ang wire na gamitin aside from the AWG above para safe tayo.

**glenn manikis** · February 20th, 2013 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by testament11

IIRC nung nagtanong kami ng tatay ko last time, yun 3.5mm wire na Phelps Dodge nasa 3.5-3.9k per box

ganun? benta kasi namin sa phelps dodge nasa more or less 2.9k lang... ang laki din pala ng mark up....

**bmacavanza** · February 20th, 2013 04:38 PM

electric wires or cables sizes are dependent on calculation of a given circuit. I suggest hire an electrical engineer to design for your own safety or occupants safety.