Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net> (Marvin Kaye)
To: lml
Date: Sun, 08 Sep 2002 18:29:47 -0400
Message-ID: <redirect-1724056@logan.com>
From: Brent Regan <Brent@regandesigns.com>
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Subject: Re: Wire Size
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Wire should be sized to the load and the fuse or breaker to which it 
connects. If you cannot successfully terminate a 22 gage wire then you 
need more training or better tools. The most common problem in wiring is 
the guy holding the strippers. Nicking or cutting conductors will 
eventually lead to premature failure at the termination. It is 
impossible to consistently strip as wire nick free with knife strippers 
so that is why I exclusively use thermal strippers with Tefzel (and all 
other except coax) aircraft wire (MIL 22759 or 27500).

Frequently, wire and terminations provided by the manufacturer of 
components available for the experiment market are inappropriate for an 
aircraft application. Vision Microsystems is a good example of this as I 
discarded many of the supplied, PVC insulated, cables in favor of MIL 
27500 shielded cable. Remember that the manufacturer will supply the 
cheapest wire that will accomplish the task and not necessarily the best 
or lightest. My plane has been flying for almost 7 years, has logged 
over 750 flight hours and has had one electrical problem, a corroded 
faston terminal on the alternator Field lead. In wiring my airplane I 
used thousands of feet of 22 gage wire with hundreds of terminations. 
None of these has failed.

If you aren't knowledgeable or comfortable in wiring your airplane, seek 
assistance from someone who is experienced. If you are stumbling in the 
dark while wiring your plane you will likely still be in the dark after 
it is done. If you cant do it right then don't do it yourself, get help.

Regards
Brent Regan