18g Solid copper wiring

P

PiNaPLeX

New member
Does anyone know of a place locally that sells 18gauge solid copper wiring? I've been to OSH and Homedepot, and they only have 14gauge solid copper, or 18gauge stranded.

i need the wiring for my triad ballast. just can't seem to find the right type. Any help would be appreciated. Also, and suggestions in the south bay would be great.

Linh
 
There is a new Lowes (Yippee!) in Sunnyvale, it's fricken massive and they have an assortment of wire, you might want to call them, but then good luck getting an informed answer!

And I agree with Radio Shack, or any electronics store. If they don't have it, they might be able to point out who does.

V
 
thanks guys, i'll give radioshack a shot. I'd figure the bigger guys would have it in stock but it seems like 18g solid is not as common as i thought it would be.
 
I'd also like to point out that you the higher the guage number, the smaller the wire, so if you used the 14 guage solid wire, you would be fine. It's rarely a problem putting thicker wire in place of thinner wire, safety wise anyway. (Don't go the other way, of course!)

V
 
vince,

yea, i know about the gauge numbers. I wanted to get 18 gauge because that's what the manufacturer recommends, 18AWG solid conductor wiring. Normally, i would have just gone with the 14gauge, but I'm afraid it won't sit correctly in the receptacles on the Triad ballast, or the endcaps. the triad just has little holes you poke the wire into, and it doesn't seem like 14gauge will fit in there.

Does anyone use 14gauge on a Triad ballast?
 
I agree w/ Vincerama2... Why not just use the thicker 14awg wire? Will this wire be used to connect the casing to ground? If so, why not use stranded wire with a spade connection and just screw it on? You can also get a old computer power cable and use that. I believe those power cables have 18awg wire in them.
 
This is from the ballast to the lights?

Typical hookup wire is good for 300v or so. Doesn't the high voltage wiring require better than that? Better double check the insulation specs before grabbing any old wire.
 
There's a good hardware/electronics store on Lawrence/Central Expressway.
They have tons of wiring. I even bought some teflon wire from them )))
 
Try home depot again, 18gauge most likely won't be in the DIY Romex section of wiring (but then again that is really crappy to use for any sort of power wiring job, go figure!) usually there's a place in the store that sells wire by the foot instead (good luck getting someone to cut you some length). If not there see if there's a Home Depot PRO shop, or Lowes, all of these places typically sell wire by the foot.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7299536#post7299536 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sfsuphysics
Try home depot again, 18gauge most likely won't be in the DIY Romex section of wiring (but then again that is really crappy to use for any sort of power wiring job, go figure!) usually there's a place in the store that sells wire by the foot instead (good luck getting someone to cut you some length). If not there see if there's a Home Depot PRO shop, or Lowes, all of these places typically sell wire by the foot.
Click to expand...

That's where I checked, in the near the electrical section. like i said before, they had 14g, just not 18g.

Mr. Ugly,

18AWG solid conductor is the recommendation I got from Universal ballasts, the company that makes the triad. I emailed them and that is what they replied, so i'm pretty sure it can handle the voltage, or else they're gonna have a major lawsuit on their hands! :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7299930#post7299930 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PiNaPLeX
Mr. Ugly,

18AWG solid conductor is the recommendation I got from Universal ballasts, the company that makes the triad. I emailed them and that is what they replied, so i'm pretty sure it can handle the voltage, or else they're gonna have a major lawsuit on their hands! :)
Click to expand...
That's not how it works. Yes, the 18 gauge wire is thick enough for carrying the current, but the voltage rating relates to the insulation.

Typical hookup wire is only good to 300v due to dielectric strength of the plastic insulation. Other wire is good to 600v. Same difference when you're looking for molex connectors etc.

If you look on the insulation on the wire, it will say what gauge it is, and also what voltage it is good for. I just checked on the wiring on one of my electronic ballasts. The insulation on the output wiring is rated for 600v.
 
Ok, some sample info relating to starting voltages on fluorescent lights.

Starting method
Another important aspect of fluorescent ballasts is the starting method. The goal of the starter is to provide initial ionization of the gas to allow for an electrical arc between electrodes and begin illumination. T8s are typically equipped with rapid-start or instant-start ballasts.

Rapid-start ballasts heat the electrodes quickly and then apply a 450-550 volt starting voltage to create the arc and begin the illumination process. There is a slight delay before the lamp begins to illuminate of one second or less with rapid start ballasts.

Most rapid-start ballasts continue to heat the electrode even after the lamp has started, which results in a power loss of 1.5-2 Watts per lamp.

Instant-start ballasts allow the lamp to start without delay by applying a high initial voltage, about 600 volts for T8 lamps, and instantly creating an arc across the electrodes.
Click to expand...
From http://www.alliantenergy.com/docs/groups/public/documents/pub/p012398.hcsp

Don't use wiring or components with inadequate voltage rating, or your setup can arc and start a fire.
 
Btw, we're planning to do Electrical101 for the June BAR meeting topic :)

Still working out the details for the announcement to be posted. But we're planning to have lecture, and some hands on demo, and opportunities for people to ask electrical related questions :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7301291#post7301291 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mr. Ugly
Btw, we're planning to do Electrical101 for the June BAR meeting topic :)

Still working out the details for the announcement to be posted. But we're planning to have lecture, and some hands on demo, and opportunities for people to ask electrical related questions :D
Click to expand...

Thats great, i'll be sure to attend that one. BTW, here's the email that i got back from the rep at universal:

Hello Linh Tran:



Thank you for contacting Universal Lighting Technologies.



18AWG solid conductor is the standard lead wiring for electronic ballasts. A wiring diagram is shown on the ballast label and on the specifications sheets available through BallastSpecs Selection Guide available at the following link: http://ultballastspecs.webstorespro.com/



If we can be of further assistance please don't hesitate to let us know.



Regards,

Ric Landers

Universal Lighting Technologies

Product Technical Response

Technical Engineering Services

1-800-BALLAST
 
PinaPlex,
I would recommend contacting them (vendor) and ask what voltage rating the 18 awg wire should be 300v, 600V or other just to be sure.
 
18AWG 600v is standard.

They work with that all the time, and probably didn't even consider that someone might get some generic 300v wire from RS.

The url for the pdf I posted above is from that company.
 
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