"Albert" bravely wrote to "All" (07 Apr 05 17:29:15)
--- on the heady topic of "wire size question"

Al From: Albert
Al Xref: aeinews sci.electronics.design:8716
Al sci.electronics.components:12978 rec.radio.amateur.homebrew:9183

Al Does anyone know how to measure or determine the wire size. I have
Al tons of motors, solenoids, and similar items. I need some #24 wire and
Al some #30 for a coil, but have to be sure regarding the wire diameter
Al as it's a critical ap and the author of the article says 'don't
Al substitute'.
[,,,]
Al Perhaps a milliohm meter might be able to measure the difference in
Al resistance of a foot of it or so, but that's hardly a standard item
Al either.

A practical answer: measure the resistance of a known length of wire.
You don't need a milli-ohmmeter to do this. Simply inject an accurate
current into a known length of wire, let's say for example 1 ampere.
Then use a dmm on the 200mv range to measure the voltage drop. This
gives a direct reading of milliohms x feet. Multiply this value up to
a range of 1,000 ft and look it up on a standard wire table and read
the gauge column. That's it! No fussing with diameters or micrometers,
microscopes or conductivity. One note of caution: if the wire glows,
the current is too large!

A*s*i*m*o*v

.... ... Clavicula .. Rectus abdominus .. Corpus sterni .. Piramidalis