Wiring for MH

[Sueet]

Hey... I am buying the stuff I need for my MH lights, so that I have everything when I get my 180 ... I have seen references to 18 gauge stranded wire, but what I am wondering is ..... Does it really matter what kind of wire you use? The reason I am asking, is because we re-wired our whole house last year, and we still have a bunch of 12 and 14 gauge romex .... Could I just strip off the main insulation (to get to the more flexible wire) and use it? Or do I actually have to buy different wire? Which kind of wire would I need if I can't use the romex? Thanks for any info.

[malawiMD]

Romex will work fine. I don't know if I would strip off the outer sheath though.

[Sueet]

Romex will work fine. I don't know if I would strip off the outer sheath though.

Thanks... Well, I meant for the small work, I will leave it on for the long stretch between the ballast and the canopy/bulbs. Appreciate the advice, I thought maybe it would be ok too, since the conductivity seems like it would be the same, or even better, but.. sometimes things don't match what logic seems to dictate

[kevinpo]

For metal halide wiring use the #12 do not use the #18 it will not handle the amp draw and will overheat, melt and may catch on fire. #18 is OK for VHO/PC lighting though. Romex is solid core wire and will be more difficult to wrap around the screw terminals on the metal halide sockets. It is still usable though. Just make sure you get the screws tight.

HTH,
Kevin

[Sueet]

Romex is solid core wire and will be more difficult to wrap around the screw terminals

LOL, believe me, this I know... As I said, we rewired our house last winter, and I did all the sockets (smallwork) while my hubby got the hard stuff (attic, fishing wire thru the walls, etc.) ... I have all the tools, and I'm pretty good at bending copper wire to go where I want it now. Thanks for the input, I was thinking to use the 12 anyway, for the same reason we used it on most applications in our house... Just to be certain there are no problems down the road... I'm a big fan of preventative measures.

[Poseidon]

Howdy Sueet... As far as conductivity is concerned stranded wire can move more current with less resistance, but the gain is minimal. My physics prof said electricity flows at the "surface" of the wire, so stranded wire having more surface area can move more current then solid core. But for your application I would use what you have, it is cheaper that way!!!

[Sueet]

it is cheaper that way!!!

LOL... Amen to that! Cheaper is always a major bonus with this hobby

[Poseidon]

Yup my point exactly!