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Custom sleeved cables - should i use AWG16 instead of AWG18 (original)?

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SomebodyOnce

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi,

I'm wondering whether i should use AWG16 cable for custom sleeved cables instead of AWG18. The PSU is Seasonic Prime Gold 650W and its original cabling is AWG18 cables so going AWG16 would be an "upgrade" (thicker wire, more current, less voltage drop). Tho I'm wondering if maybe i should stay with same AWG18 that Seasonic used and dont try to outsmart them?

The wires I'm going to use are UL1007 Helukabel (http://metric-bolt.com/prod/helukabel/F.Cables%20overseas%20standard.pdf page F1) - in AWG18 they have outer diameter of 2.1mm which would match the diameter of my current PSU cables. In AWG16 it would go up to 2.3mm.

The sleeving I'm gonna use will be either Deluxe SHD sleeve made of PET (not that it tells you anything) or "Premium sleeve" made of NYLON (made by E.L. Wood Braiding Co. USA).

Suggestions and opinions welcomed.
 
#2 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by SomebodyOnce View Post

Hi,

I'm wondering whether i should use AWG16 cable for custom sleeved cables instead of AWG18. The PSU is Seasonic Prime Gold 650W and its original cabling is AWG18 cables so going AWG16 would be an "upgrade" (thicker wire, more current, less voltage drop). Tho I'm wondering if maybe i should stay with same AWG18 that Seasonic used and dont try to outsmart them?

The wires I'm going to use are UL1007 Helukabel (http://metric-bolt.com/prod/helukabel/F.Cables%20overseas%20standard.pdf page F1) - in AWG18 they have outer diameter of 2.1mm which would match the diameter of my current PSU cables. In AWG16 it would go up to 2.3mm.

The sleeving I'm gonna use will be either Deluxe SHD sleeve made of PET (not that it tells you anything) or "Premium sleeve" made of NYLON (made by E.L. Wood Braiding Co. USA).

Suggestions and opinions welcomed.
Click to expand...
16 or 18 they will both work without any issues. Just make sure you have a proper pin layout for the cables & fully test them before plugging them in to the motherboard.

Sleeving never heard of any one of those companies, Most use MDPC-X since it's best sleeving around for PSU cables.
 
#4 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by msd0 View Post

Like Revan said, you can use either 18 or 16AWG wire. The 16AWG UL1007 will work fine, although you might want to get 16AWG terminals to make crimping the insulation a little easier. https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/molex-llc/0039000077/WM3112CT-ND/1643460
Click to expand...
18 AWG terminals can accept up to 3.10mm wiring. The wing span is just longer on the 16 AWG, a little to long at times. You could most likely fit both Sleeving & wiring inside the terminal if you wanted to.

You can get them cheaper from Sleeving Shops:

18 AWG (Molex Brand) https://mod-one.com/molex-female-18awg-atx-terminal-10-pack/
16 AWG: (Molex Brand) https://mod-one.com/molex-female-16awg-atx-terminal-10-pack/

of course you could also use gold plated versions too.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Thanks, i went for AWG16 wire because i found high quality wire that was nice cheap (cheaper than AWG18) - i think someone bought whole 100m+ roll from a distributor and after sleeving his own PSU wanted to sell it to get some money back
tongue.gif


Also, the "premium" sleeving turned out to be paracord. Other brands unfortunately not avaliable here, wild wild east of europe (not that east, more center but not considered west yet).
 
#6 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by SomebodyOnce View Post

Thanks, i went for AWG16 wire because i found high quality wire that was nice cheap (cheaper than AWG18) - i think someone bought whole 100m+ roll from a distributor and after sleeving his own PSU wanted to sell it to get some money back
tongue.gif


Also, the "premium" sleeving turned out to be paracord. Other brands unfortunately not avaliable here, wild wild east of europe (not that east, more center but not considered west yet).
Click to expand...
Just make sure the wiring hits the 300v mark or your going to have some serious issues.

---

MDPC-X has stores in Europe & they also ship world wide. Also some global MDPC-X stores also ship world wide as well.

---

On a side note, you can go down to almost any AWG, Issue just becomes the actual OD of the wire. I have gotten 12 AWG inside the molex Mini Fit Jr. The wiring for 12 AWG is very expensive & not worth it when you can get over 100ft of PVC wiring for 20 dollars.
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Revan654 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by SomebodyOnce View Post

Thanks, i went for AWG16 wire because i found high quality wire that was nice cheap (cheaper than AWG18) - i think someone bought whole 100m+ roll from a distributor and after sleeving his own PSU wanted to sell it to get some money back
tongue.gif


Also, the "premium" sleeving turned out to be paracord. Other brands unfortunately not avaliable here, wild wild east of europe (not that east, more center but not considered west yet).
Click to expand...
Just make sure the wiring hits the 300v mark or your going to have some serious issues.

---

MDPC-X has stores in Europe & they also ship world wide. Also some global MDPC-X stores also ship world wide as well.

---

On a side note, you can go down to almost any AWG, Issue just becomes the actual OD of the wire. I have gotten 12 AWG inside the molex Mini Fit Jr. The wiring for 12 AWG is very expensive & not worth it when you can get over 100ft of PVC wiring for 20 dollars.
Click to expand...
Why would the insulation on wiring that won't have more than 12v on it need to be rated for 300v?
 
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#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald View Post

Why would the insulation on wiring that won't have more than 12v on it need to be rated for 300v?
Click to expand...
That is the standard voltage for wiring on PSU. Your quality wiring starts at 150 (Voltage Rating). You want wiring that meets certain standards.
 
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Revan654 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald View Post

Why would the insulation on wiring that won't have more than 12v on it need to be rated for 300v?
Click to expand...
That is the standard voltage for wiring on PSU. Your quality wiring starts at 150 (Voltage Rating). You want wiring that meets certain standards.
Click to expand...
Can you provide a link to that standard?
 
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#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by msd0 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald View Post

Can you provide a link to that standard?
Click to expand...
I believe he is referring to the UL standard for hook-up wire with PVC insulation which is rated for 300V.
Click to expand...
Mayhap but computers don't need that high of an insulation rating and I doubt any computer standard will require one that high for 12v and under circuits.
 
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#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald View Post

Mayhap but computers don't need that high of an insulation rating and I doubt any computer standard will require one that high for 12v and under circuits.
Click to expand...
I'm referring to UL Standards. Do not forget most PSU makers create PSU & cables to meet certain standards. I personally would not risk using some generic wiring which doesn't have a datasheet or atlease some data printed on the wire.
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Revan654 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald View Post

Mayhap but computers don't need that high of an insulation rating and I doubt any computer standard will require one that high for 12v and under circuits.
Click to expand...
I'm referring to UL Standards. Do not forget most PSU makers create PSU & cables to meet certain standards. I personally would not risk using some generic wiring which doesn't have a datasheet or atlease some data printed on the wire.
Click to expand...
I would still like to see a link to those standards. I've yet to see one for computer cable wire insulation voltage ratings .
 
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#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald View Post

I would still like to see a link to those standards. I've yet to see one for computer cable wire insulation voltage ratings .
Click to expand...
Link (For AWM 1007): http://www.awcwire.com/productspec.aspx?id=ul-style-1007-1569

If you need proof that 300v voltage rating is used for PSU cables, Here you go:



Default Cables supplied with my EVGA PSU.
 
#15 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Revan654 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald View Post

I would still like to see a link to those standards. I've yet to see one for computer cable wire insulation voltage ratings .
Click to expand...
Link (For AWM 1007): http://www.awcwire.com/productspec.aspx?id=ul-style-1007-1569...
Click to expand...
They make hook up wire rated at 300v. So what? That's just a spec. Nothing was said about that being a standard for computer power cables or even that that wire is even intended for use in computer power cables. All it means is you can use it on voltages well over any you will encounter in a computer. I asked for a voltage standard specifically for computer power cables.

Look at the specs on that site for automotive battery cables. That company makes their battery cable wire to the SAE J1127 standard, which is 60v. Automotive wiring can encounter voltages as high as 16v, higher than a computer's 12v. Their automotive primary wiring is made to the SAE J-1128 standard, which is also 60v. Automotive primary wire will work just fine for computer cables although the insulation tends to be bulkier.

On the same site, their computer cabling is only for data transmission so that will tell us nothing about any kind of a standard for voltage ratings on computer power cables.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Revan654 View Post

...If you need proof that 300v voltage rating is used for PSU cables, Here you go:



Default Cables supplied with my EVGA PSU.
Click to expand...
I never said that 300v rated wires weren't used in computer power cables. And so what if EVGA, or anyone else, uses wires rated for 300v in their cables? That doesn't mean they have to be 300v. It could very well mean (and I'm reasonably certain it does mean) that that wire was the most practical and economical wire to use in that application. It in no way means one has to use 300v rated wire. I've use automotive primary wiring without any trouble for computer cables (most of the cables in my present computer were made with automotive primary wiring I bought at Ace Hardware).

You made the statement that wire for computer power cables (other than the cable connecting to the mains) has to be rated for 300v. I called you on that and you have yet to back that statement up. You need to provide an actual standard, not a product specification, stating that computer cable wires must be rated for 300v.
 
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#16 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald View Post

Mayhap but computers don't need that high of an insulation rating and I doubt any computer standard will require one that high for 12v and under circuits.
Click to expand...
I think the decision to use a particular insulation material and thickness is based more on the mechanical properties (abrasion resistance, flexibility, etc.) for low voltage applications like psu cables.
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by msd0 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald View Post

Mayhap but computers don't need that high of an insulation rating and I doubt any computer standard will require one that high for 12v and under circuits.
Click to expand...
I think the decision to use a particular insulation material and thickness is based more on the mechanical properties (abrasion resistance, flexibility, etc.) for low voltage applications like psu cables.
Click to expand...
That and cost. 300v rated wire is plentiful and probably costs less for that reason.
 
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#19 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by grimmwrath View Post

I'm really glad you posted this. I didn't know this was a thing, and was about to wire a couple of PSUs with wire that was only rated to 60V. You probably just saved me a lot of headaches!
Click to expand...
60v would have been just fine. Again 12v is the most that wiring would have ever seen.
 
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Lady Fitzgerald
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