Question 1

How is wire resistance calculated?

Accepted Answer

R = ρL/A, where ρ is resistivity, L is length, A is cross-section. Copper: 0.017 Ω·mm²/m at 20°C.

Question 2

What is voltage drop in wires?

Accepted Answer

V_drop = I × R_wire. Keep below 3% for branch circuits. Long runs need larger gauge to reduce drop.

Question 3

What's the relationship between volts, amps, and watts?

Accepted Answer

Power (Watts) = Voltage (Volts) × Current (Amps). To find any value, divide or multiply: Amps = Watts/Volts, Volts = Watts/Amps.

Question 4

Is AWG or metric wire gauge better?

Accepted Answer

AWG (American Wire Gauge) uses arbitrary numbers where smaller = thicker. Metric (mm²) directly indicates cross-sectional area, making calculations easier.

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