Doubling wires

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I'm still working on my f6 amplifier. The toroidal transformer primary wire is 18 awg while the secondary is 12 awg. I'm using 16 awg from the rectifiers to the input on the power supply but I don't have enough 16 to complete the output from the power supply to the amplifier boards. I have plenty of 18 awg though. Would 18 awg be acceptable? It's silver plated copper with Teflon insulation. Would doubling the wire be a reasonable solution?
Thanks
 
If it ddn't click I don't think you'd realised doubling the diameter doesn't double the cross sectional area.


12awg just happens to be twice the thickness (or diameter) of 18awg, but it is not twice the csa


Like Rayma said, get it done right , otherwise it'll just look like a bodge. :p
 
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Take a look at the pictures and tell me what you think.
16 awg is the largest wire that will fit the pad and it will handle the current. It's just a bit disconcerting to see the large secondary wires. I assume the # 12 out of the transformer is large enough to accommodate higher current applications.
 

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Those Faston connectors are excellent; now if you insert wire straight into PCB hole, please do NOT try to enlarge them with a drill, just use largest wire that fits.

If hole is through plated you´ll destroy that but in any case you will end up with a narrower copper ring around it, which will weaken it.

Gluing stuff is considered an inferior Technology in Electronics construction, many don´t consider that PCB tracks and pads are *glued* to PCB base material.

You will not have trouble with using 16Ga wire IF PCB designer only allows that size, he´s "supposed" to be a competent designer , in any case we are using very short lengths, a few inches, inside an amp; unless you grossly exceed ratings and get into plastic melting temperatures, it´s acceptable.
Remember to add track width and thickness to the equation, very little cross section there, just do the Math.
Designs are always a compromise.
 
Getting together my materials for the F6 build including power supply. Does anyone have any thoughts on where to get suitable quality wire in the necessary guages and sufficiently assorted colors? Does anybody sell a package for hobbyists like use who don't want to buy large quantities?
 
It was the cheap blue ethernet cable that turns white when you bend it. I couldn't even peel it back with the thread like other cables. My trick was to pull out one pair first, then the others will fall out basically. Still, RG174 is shielded and easier to work with.