American cable gauges

Alkers

Does anyone know how to convert american cable spec into a amp loading?

I'm installing an air horn and there are two specs of gable given: no less than 14-gauge wire and elsewhere 18-gauge wire.

Just looking on Halfords (as there's one beside work) and the cable is all rated in amps. I have no way of working out the loading on the cables so was wondering if anyone could give a steer from the gauge rating?

Link to halfords:

http://www.halfords.ie/workshop-tools/garage-equipment/fuses-electricals-fixings/halfords-5-amp-cable-red-hef711

They also have 8, 17 and 27amp available. IT's all priced similarly but 27amp seems overkill for what I need.

Thanks

cletus

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/wire-gauges-d_419.html

May be helpful

irish bloke

14 gauge wire or 14 AWG in metric is 2.08mm² cross sectional area
18 gauge wire or 18 AWG in metric is 0.82mm² cross sectional area

Rounding up both for safety you are talking about 2.5mm² wire for the 14 AWG and 1.0mm² wire for the 18 AWG

1.0mm² = approx 10 amps
2.5mm² = approx 23 amps

There are other factors like temperature and cable length to consider, but 1.0mm² for the 18 gauge and 2.5mm² for the 14 gauge should be more than enough

If buying the Halfords cable (which doesn’t give the cross sectional area) then 17amp cable for the 18 gauge and 27 amp for the 14 gauge.

Alkers

Much appreciated!