American Wire Gauge Explained: How AWG Numbers Affect Cable Diameter, Resistance, and Electrical Capacity
Smaller AWG numbers mean thicker wire, lower resistance, and higher current capacity. That is the rule to remember before choosing a cable for a circuit, speaker run, battery lead, solar setup, or electronics project. A 10 AWG copper wire is much thicker than a 16 AWG wire, so it wastes less energy as heat and can usually carry more current safely. Read more