10ga-Stranded Wire

@TrainHead posted:

Hello,

I have a lot of 10ga-stranded wire at home. Can I use this to wire my layout? I know it is overkill, but I have the wire.

Thanks,

Wire away, oversize is never an issue under is the problem.

Thank you!

If you already have the wire, go ahead and use it. I used 10 gauge stranded as the main supply circuits for my 2-rail layout and while it may be overkill, it doesn't hurt anything and there are no voltage-drop issues.

Bigger is better…sort of.

That 10 gauge stuff will be harder to work with, but you certainly can use it.

Assuming you have a table top layout, you can do the long runs with the 10 gauge, then make the feeders a smaller gauge wire.

I have used 12 gauge solid THHN, and come across the nasty problem should the outside rail going to the black or the white, since that was the only colors I bought in 12 gauge (more in 14 ga); I believe an MTH TIU has black as outer and red as center. My Lionel Command base has no color. K-Line Shadow Rail power tap 10" section has black outside, red center.

You would think it wouldn't be a problem, but you do something, then three years later, dang it, what did I do here, and why did I do it that way.

I use 10g stranded for the bus and 18g stranded for the feeders with an NCE radio system.

It has been 18 years and no problems.

Ed

10 gauge is way overkill. Thats what powers my barn, lights, milling machines, lathes, compressor, etc.

Pete

It's definitely not necessary ...

I have 10AWG running to several terminal blocks under my table (still under construction) for a common "U" buss. 16AWG runs from the blocks to the tracks, etc. It's more than is necessary for the amperage and application, but I have leftover 10 from a prior job and thought I would put it to work.

Also, my grandfathers table used 10 & 12 AWG running from the U terminals to connection blocks around the table.