DIY cables

Dylock · 9 Apr 2018 at 21:42

Evening all,

As I’m sure it’s the same for everyone, I hate cables that are too long. So I’ve decided I am going to have a go at making them all from scratch. All psu cables, fan cables, power cables. I know sata data is possible but I will leave them for now.

My question is how can I find out what size wire I need? It has me stumped.

Also if anyone has any helpful tips that would be great.

Many thanks.

Tealc · 9 Apr 2018 at 21:58

Most of the wiring inside PCs will have the wire gauge written on them, or at least they would if most cables these days weren't black and braided.

From memory most power cables will 20AWG or 18AWG. Much thicker than this and you will struggle to terminate. Fans will be 22AWG or more commonly 24AWG. I'm not sure about SATA but suspect 22 will be fine, provided you aren't using them for peripheral power.

As a rough guide 20AWG can generally carry 5A, 22AWG 3A and 24AWG 2A of current, although terminations can affect this.

Cables will be UL1569 types, maybe UL1007. Not too thick and internationally recognised and available.

Dylock · 9 Apr 2018 at 22:23

That’s really helpful thank you!
It’s a SilverStone 850w. As you say they are black with no writing on.

I shall order some 20,22 and 24 in small quantities and go from there.
Thanks again

Habakkuk · 10 Apr 2018 at 04:02

It's counter-intuitive as increase AWG numbers means decreasing size.

I use 22 AWG myself - you'll want to get stranded not solid-core.

Dylock · 10 Apr 2018 at 08:12

Habakkuk said:
It's counter-intuitive as increase AWG numbers means decreasing size.

I use 22 AWG myself - you'll want to get stranded not solid-core.

Do you use 22 for everything?

Tealc · 10 Apr 2018 at 20:24

It's not absolute but here's the metric comparison to AWG.

24AWG = 0.22mm
22AWG = 0.33mm
20AWG = 0.50mm
18AWG = 0.87mm

And yes stranded wiring, otherwise you will struggle to terminate the wires and they'll be stiffer and more prone to snapping.

Dylock · 11 Apr 2018 at 12:49

That’s awesome thanks. I’ll give them a measure and replace them as they are.

Habakkuk · 12 Apr 2018 at 04:50

For most things - it's a good in-between size, so you can get away with using it.