just wondering what wire to use

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Mikeym_us
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just wondering what wire to use

Post by Mikeym_us »

I got 500 5v 2.4mm LED's in yesterday along with 500 resistors to use them with a 12V power supply and I am just wondering what gague of wire to use that can safely handle the 12V electrical current without causing the wire to melt.
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b5ranger99
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Post by b5ranger99 »

Are you really planning t install 500 leds in one model?
At 20 mils each thats 10 amps.
20 guage would be needed to handle the load.

That also means you need to vent the heat created by 50 watts of power.

Check your power supply also, a wall wart isn't going to handle that kind of load.

If you are only hooking up a few at a time wire wrap wire 28 guage will work.
"When others do a foolish thing, you should tell them it is a foolish thing. They can still continue to do it, but at least the truth is where it needs to be."
Dukhat, Babylon 5

“Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.”
Lewis Carroll
Mikeym_us
Posts: 249
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2005 3:12 pm
Location: Michigans Upper Penninsula

Post by Mikeym_us »

b5ranger99 wrote:Are you really planning t install 500 leds in one model?
At 20 mils each thats 10 amps.
20 guage would be needed to handle the load.

That also means you need to vent the heat created by 50 watts of power.

Check your power supply also, a wall wart isn't going to handle that kind of load.

If you are only hooking up a few at a time wire wrap wire 28 guage will work.
ok then so 28 gauge would be ok for about 30 LEDs then?
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b5ranger99
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Post by b5ranger99 »

According to the national standards 28 ga. is good for 1.4 amps (1400 mils) 30 LEDs should draw around 600 mils, "room to spare". If you are using a wall wart check if it can supply that much current.

Joe
"When others do a foolish thing, you should tell them it is a foolish thing. They can still continue to do it, but at least the truth is where it needs to be."
Dukhat, Babylon 5

“Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.”
Lewis Carroll
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