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    ainsle14's Avatar
    ainsle14 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Apr 20, 2009, 02:47 PM
    Gauge forphone wire? Why
    Why is it necessary to use large gauge, 24, 26 for phone wire? Could not one use 12 gauge. Is there a reason for using fine wire for phone or other devices with low voltage? Or is is it because it takes less room? Thank you
    ohb0b's Avatar
    ohb0b Posts: 215, Reputation: 14
    Full Member
    		  
    #2

    Apr 20, 2009, 03:04 PM
    Economics. Have you seen the price of copper lately?

    No. 12 AWG would work just fine, but why use a large gauge wire when a small one will work?
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #3

    Apr 20, 2009, 03:07 PM
    Realistically the biggest you should ever go with is 18ga. Most terminations are designed for 20-24ga wire.
    If you are using terminations with 110 or 66 punchdowns then even #18 is too big.
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