Wiring diagram question

[MagKarl]

In the wiring diagrams, the wires are identified in this format: "AV 0.5 Red"

What does "AV" stand for, and what does the number such as "0.5" mean? Is the number some sort of wire size designation?

 

[kubotasam]

A = Automotive type wire
V = vinyl insulation

0.5 = size-----I don't think it is a direct mm measurement but close

 

[MagKarl]

That makes sense, but I do agree it can't be mm. For instance, the starter hot cable is labeled as "20", but it's obviously not 20mm in diameter.

 

[Stumpy]

A wire's current carrying capacity is determined largely by it's cross sectional area. In the metric wire gauge system sizes are referred to by their cross sectional area, so AV 0.5 is an automotive grade vinyl coated wire as Sam said and has a cross section of roughly 0.5 mm^2. In the American Wire Gauge system the AWG number is just an arbitrary reference to the different cross section area sizes. Both systems assume a solid wire so stranded wire will always be a little larger in actual diameter than the value in the table.

Here's a conversion chart. http://www.rbeelectronics.com/wtable.htm

 

[Trinidaddave]

Thanks, Stumpy I will utilize that chart, great info. Only on OTT.

 

[MagKarl]

Good info Stumpy. Makes total sense. When I got my new residential service line they spec those cables by cross sectional area as well but use circular mils.