On Thu, 07 Apr 2005 17:29:15 -0400, Albert wrote:

Does anyone know how to measure or determine the wire size. I have
tons of motors, solenoids, and similar items. I need some #24 wire and
some #30 for a coil, but have to be sure regarding the wire diameter
as it's a critical ap and the author of the article says 'don't
substitute'.

I know I can weigh it, provided it's not on a spool or motor winding
already.

My local electrical shop has a wire gauge, but it stops at 18 gauge.

A microscope might work, but ones that have calibrated distance
measuring on the eyepiece are expensive.

Perhaps a milliohm meter might be able to measure the difference in
resistance of a foot of it or so, but that's hardly a standard item
either.

Any suggestions?

Two quick options:

Many kinds of wire have information printed on the insulation.

There are many tables which give the diameter, so machinists verniers
or a mike would do.

Or you could collect a set of samples of known wires and compare. Note
that solid and stranded are a little bit different.

Recycling solid wire from other coils might leave kinks or weak areas
where it was bent before. Insulation integrity matters, too.
Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
--
At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom