VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE




Selecting the correct wire size for vacuum tube electronic circuits is a matter of selecting a size that suits the current flow in a circuit. Filament circuits may have higher current demands so a heavier gauge wire may be needed. Plate and screen circuit current demands may be only a few milliamperes for pre-amp circuits to a few hundred milliamperes for power amplifier circuits.

1 MILLIAMPERE = .001 AMP
10 MILLIAMPERE = .010 AMP
100 MILLIAMPERE = .100 AMP
1000 MILLIAMPERE = 1 AMP

There is an advantage to using smaller gauge wire in low current circuits where many connections are tied to a single tube socket terminal. Smaller gauge wire takes up less room in the terminal hole and allows more room for other wires connecting in the same hole.
Add up all the current demands in a circuit and then add 50% of that value for safety factor. Select a wire size to suit the circuit.


example
ALL PLATE CIRCUIT CURRENT DRAWS = 56 MILLIAMPERES
56 X .50 (50%) = 28
CURRENT DEMAND WITH SAFETY FACTOR = 56 + 28 = 84 MILLIAMPERES


ALL FILAMENT CURRENT DRAWS = 2.4 AMPS
2.4 X .50 (50%) = 1.2
CURRENT DEMAND WITH SAFETY FACTOR = 2.4 + 1.2 = 3.6 AMPS

There are 3 wire gauge sizes that are well suited for vacuum tube circuits. 26, 24, and 22 gauge. Remember that the larger gauge number is the smaller wire size, 26 gauge wire is smaller that 22 gauge wire. Wire smaller than 26 gauge wire becomes hard to work with. Anything larger than 22 gauge wire is not usually needed. It does not matter if you use solid or stranded wire. However, stranded wire is more flexible and less likely to break after a few bends.

26 GAUGE WIRE - MAXIMUM CURRENT = 2.2 AMPS
24 GAUGE WIRE - MAXIMUM CURRENT = 3.5 AMPS
22 GAUGE WIRE - MAXIMUM CURRENT = 7.0 AMPS

INSULATION, do not forget to use wire rated for the voltage in a circuit. All high voltage circuits should use wire with insulation rated 600 volts (or higher if needed). Lower current circuits such as control grid or filament circuits can use wire with lower rated insulation.
Wire with Teflon insulation is a good choice. Teflon insulation is a little more expensive but the insulation does not melt while soldering and less likely to dry out with age.








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VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE - VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE - VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE - VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE
VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE - VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE - VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE - VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE
VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE - VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE - VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE - VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE
VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE - VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE - VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE - VACUUM TUBE CIRCUIT WIRE SIZE