Discussion in 'Christmas Light Shopping Bargains' started by gmoolenaar, Nov 11, 2013.
Found this cable on special at Altronics.
That size would be ok for very low current items such as Big W strings, but too thin for pixels. The larger one (14/0.2) is better for most applications but is more expensive of course. I think "Electricians Warehouse" has 4 and 6 core 14/0.20 security cable at pretty hot prices.
Yeah, that's a pretty hot price Matt. It seems to have a thinner outer sheath than the Altronics one, but perfectly fine for Christmas lights.
They have very good prices and I've bought a bit of cable from them - all pick up direct from shop. Smartalec put me onto them.
I was planning to use some 20 gauge T-stat cable (locally available from Home Depot) for about a 60' RGB run. Is this security core wire 14 AWG? That seems really "heavy" for RGB apps (?). Thx.
As per the ACL wiki wire chart, 14/0.20 is approx 20-21 AWG.
Is this security core wire 14 AWG? That seems really "heavy" for RGB apps (?). Thx.
Ok. Thx Dave. Appreciate the info. I am planning to use a 14 AWG/5 conductor cable . I figured I could double up on power conductors if needed in case I have nuisance voltage drop..
I am planning to use a 14 AWG/5 conductor cable . I figured I could double up on power conductors if needed in case I have nuisance voltage drop.
If you ever have just one extra wire, use it to double up the ground (-ve) instead of the +ve.
Why double up the ground? I'm sure there is a reason which I don't understand.
Your signal cable references ground so with reduced resistance on the ground line you have improved signal definition as a bonus and still get the current rating you were looking for.
To clarify; I was talking about pixel strings.
There's two electrical paths sharing the ground; the power to run the LEDs and the data reference.
Excessive drop in either ground or V+ will lead to duller lights, so doubling either would be an advantage.
Excessive drop in the ground wire will also introduce a shift in the received logic levels that pixels needs to receive reliably. Doubling the V+ wire will not help, but doubling the ground wire will help.
So, doubling the ground wire helps both ways, but doubling the V+ (only) helps in only one way.
Now, if we're talking about "dumb" RGB strings, doubling up the common wire (usually the V+) is e way to go as that's the wire that has the sum of the individual (colour) currents.