Electrical Question

[icky420]

I recently found 2 nice fans at a local flea market for $3 each. They were to cheap to pass up even if they didnt work. So they are 110V FANS
I have hooked them up and they work great. When I put my hand right in front of it it barely slows down. So now I have one problem. Where the wire hook ups are are really close to each other and unmovable, so I'm wondering if I could use thinner(not that thin) wire to connect each to 1 main power cord sine each fan only pulls .19amps max. Its the amps that travel over the wire that matter, not volts right? I looking to use a wire such as something that would run from a 12v dc transformer to charge whatever. I would love to use one of these for a little DIY scrubber.

 

[stonewall]

you may safely use wire as small as 22 AWG on a load that size.

 

[Buzzsmirk!]

you may safely use wire as small as 22 AWG on a load that size.

yes 22 gauge wire will do ya fine (phone wire is often that size)

a piece of CAT 5 would work too (its got eight small wires under the jacket)


BUZZ!

 

[Guest]

I wouldnt use cat. 5 wire at 120V it for low voltage,your best bet is just some 16 or 18 gauge zipcord.

 

[icky420]

Thank you all for your input. I just need a little reassurance that I wasent going to burn down my house..

 

[badgr]

Find a matching wire at radio shack and buy it. Then solder it to the terminal. Separate ends with heat shrink or other.. Good luck
................................
POST EDIT
Soory i replyed i didn't realise the other posts sumed it up. I'm kinda stoned and just trying to help.

 

[icky420]

Find a matching wire at radio shack and buy it. Then solder it to the terminal. Separate ends with heat shrink or other.. Good luck
................................
POST EDIT
Soory i replyed i didn't realise the other posts sumed it up. I'm kinda stoned and just trying to help.

No prob...I always welcome everyones input. Nothing wrong with a little reinforcement.

 

[HeadyPete]

Hi icky.

I would second the 18 ga zipcord suggestion. I wouldn't go smaller than that. Also, voltage does matter as well. The wire needs to be thick enough to handle the current flow (amps) but the insulation must be rated for the voltage or it could possibly pass through and electrocute you. If you are dealing with AC mains voltage, use the proper cable intended for that. Stay away from the cat5 or twisted pairs. Those are for low voltage.

A possible scenario is one fan siezes or jams and the massive current draw burns up that small cabling and starts a fire. Not cool.

 

[Guest]

Zipcord's either rated at 300 or 600V I'm not sure but its the thing to use,cat 5 wire cant handle the voltage like said before.Though not 100% accurate,an easy way to look at it is the diameter of the copper pertains to amperage and the material of the wire jacket pertains to voltage.

 

[Xtbudda]

I have a few fans like that and use heavy duty telephone wire.
Xtbudda...

 

[Guest]

If its low voltage wire and you have 120V fans on it youy may get nailed one day bro,I'm not familiar with "heavy duty" telephone wire but most twisted pair wire I've seen isnt cool at 120V

 

[Xtbudda]

Thanks Skeletor, my bad,,,,I thought those fans were the heavy duty dc ones. Its running on 12v small dc adapter.
Sorry for the confusion.
Xtbudda...

 

[Guest]

Thats cool bro,I really dont think the jacket on telephone wire can withstand 120 volts for too long,its a scary proposition.