American Wire Gauge

hardware, standard (AWG, sometimes "Brown and Sharpe Wire

Gauge") A U.S. standard set of non-ferrous wire conductor

sizes. Typical household wiring is AWG number 12 or 14.

Telephone wire is usually 22, 24, or 26. The higher the gauge

number, the smaller the diameter and the thinner the wire.

Thicker wire is better for long distances due to its lower

resistance per unit length.

(2001-03-26)