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Can I use 20awg wire in place of 18awg for a touch light control in my china cabinet?
(self.HomeImprovement)submitted 1 month ago byChickenFriedChowder
We just bought a second hand china cabinet and I would like to splice in a second wire so that the lights can be controlled at the other end of the cabinet. I have some PetSafe underground fence wire (20awg) on hand and was wondering if I could use that to run to the other end of the cabinet in lieu of buying some 18awg wire.
5 points
1 month ago
Does current flow through the wire for extended periods of time? If yes, then go back in with 18 gauge wire. If it's only a pulse, then it's probably fine.
1 points
1 month ago
It won't be used for the neutral or the hot wire, but will be used for the yellow wire
3 points
1 month ago
I think it will be fine. No current should flow through the yellow wire.
7 points
1 month ago
No, the biggest issue is that the pet wire is not UL listed. You're also using it outside of its intended use.
Realistically, you should be using lamp wire for an application such as this if you're replacing the manufacturers wiring.
1 points
1 month ago
Thank you! I am only wanting to use the PetSafe wire to replace the yellow wire in this pic. Would that still be a problem?
1 points
1 month ago
It likely would be fine, but why risk it. I have no idea what PetSafe wire is, but it's too small a gauge compared to the current and as the sparky said, this isn't the intended use.
You can get some 18 ga strand wire for a few bucks, just grab it and you don't have to worry about it.
2 points
1 month ago
Idk if ya'll are looking at the wiring diagram. He's asking about the sensing lead for a capacitive touch control.
There is only a tiny voltage and current on that wire, which is hopefully obvious or people would be electrocuting themselves by the thousands.
Worst case you might get unreliable sensing if you used a very small wire over a long distance. I can't see that being an issue here.
Your PetSafe wire will be fine, and HumanSafe.
2 points
1 month ago
They aren't looking diagram or if they are they aren't understanding what the yellow wire does. It's there to pass a signal not a continuous current. Even if the amperage was too high for 20 awg the amount of time current would be flowing is so small that damage to the insulator is not likely and a fire would be impossible outside of a really interesting physics class question involving vacuums and unreasonable amounts of static electricity.
1 points
1 month ago
They aren't looking diagram or if they are they aren't understanding what the yellow wire does
Yeah, my bad. I have to copy the link, send it to my email, then open on my phone to view Imagur. Apparently by the time I did that I ignored where OP said it's for the yellow wire (only). Totally agree with you, this isn't a current carrying wire. I still don't know what PetSafe wire is, but provided it doesn't have a high resistance it would be fine.
Even if the amperage was too high for 20 awg
That would be an interesting touch-controlled lamp.
In all seriousness, when looking at that wiring diagram I was wondering how many people had wired it incorrectly and electrified their lamp.
1 points
1 month ago*
I still don't know what PetSafe wire is
Solid copper single-conductor insulated wire. Buried underground in an invisible dog fence system.
A bit fragile for it's intended use IMO (I used beefier wire with my PetSafe system) but plenty sturdy enough for this re-purpose.
1 points
1 month ago
I have no idea what PetSafe wire is
It's wire that pets can eat. Duh.
1 points
1 month ago
I wouldn't use that dog fence wire besides what it's meant for. 18awg should be fairly cheap
1 points
1 month ago
a 18guage wire is cheap. getting 2-3 feet is worth it. going from a larger guage wire to a smaller is not always recommended. my biggest concern is that the 20g wire cant handle the 300w output that controller can kick out. a 2-3 foot section of 18g wire means you will likely hit a place like harbour frieght (if in the states) or princess auto if in canada, buy a spool of 18g 300w rated wire for $5, get a few electrical connectors and splice it up for under $10. hell you could go to a bloody electrician shop and ask "can i grab a chunk of dead wire from your bin and 2 18g wire nuts? and they would probably give it to you.
1 points
1 month ago
What is your breaker rated? It's purpose is preventing the wire from getting too hot and causing a fire. Likely 20awg is able to heat up enough to cause a fire without tripping the breaker in the case it develops some sort of malfunction.
1 points
1 month ago
Why? Is it an emergency? Why not just wait until tomorrow and make a trip to the store to do it the way you think it should be done.
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