[RAILhead]

Okay, I'm totally miffed I don't know 110% what this means -- and I can't find crap to explain it online.

ANYWAY, I'm about to snag some stranded hookup wire, and I'm getting 24 gauge at either 7/32 or 19/36 stranding. What I'm pretty confident about is that the "7" and "19" are referring to the number of strands -- but what are the "32" and "36" referring to? I always thought it was a measure of the number of strands per whatever distance (like 32s of an inch or whatever) -- but the "36" is throwing me off.

What in Hades does it mean? Anyone? I'm trying to place my order today, so any help ASAP would be much appreciated!

[RAILhead]

CRAP!

I figured it out.

The second number denotes the gauge of the individual strands, so 19/36 is 19 strands that are 36awg.

[andi*pandi]

I read wife stranding and was wondering WTF. The rest of your post was no help either!

[turtle777]

Good thread.

-t

[RAILhead]

Thanks -- I've been planning this one for about 3 years.

[Dakar the Fourth]

I swear the the phenomena of finally breaking down and asking a question only to suddenly resolve it yourself within a few minutes is a sub-set of Murphy's Law.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Dakar the Fourth 

I swear the the phenomena of finally breaking down and asking a question only to suddenly resolve it yourself within a few minutes is a sub-set of Murphy's Law.

True that.

It happened to me more than once.

-t

[Uncle Doof]

This thread is now about attempting to trick Murphy's Law into providing you with the answers you've always wanted.

I'll go first:
How do I cop a date with Jessica Sutta?

[Eriamjh]

Back to wire: Does anyone know why one would choose 7/32 vs. 19/36 wire for a given application requiring 24 gage wire? (I do.)

Flexibility. 19/36 wire will bend more easily, but also bend back more easily. If you need "soft" wire leads, use many small strands.

[RAILhead]

Exactly -- this is for my effects pedals, and I wanted the flexibility sans breakage.

[King Bob On The Cob]

Originally Posted by Eriamjh 

Back to wire: Does anyone know why one would choose 7/32 vs. 19/36 wire for a given application requiring 24 gage wire? (I do.)

Flexibility. 19/36 wire will bend more easily, but also bend back more easily. If you need "soft" wire leads, use many small strands.

Cost and size I thought...

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by King Bob On The Cob 

Cost and size I thought...

The size would be virtually identical, as they're both "24 gage" wire. Flexibility and weight are a different thing. More, finer strands means slightly heavier (the final wire is a bit more dense), but these strands are more flexible.

[King Bob On The Cob]

Originally Posted by ghporter 

The size would be virtually identical, as they're both "24 gage" wire. Flexibility and weight are a different thing. More, finer strands means slightly heavier (the final wire is a bit more dense), but these strands are more flexible.

I was brought to understand that it'll be able to carry the same current as a 24 gauge (not the same size as a 24 gauge as you'd think since, technically, 24 gauge is a size), which means it should have the same amount of copper in it (or actually, slightly more), PLUS, the shielding, so it should be thicker.

[RAILhead]

It's actually a little smaller than normal 24 AWG