What Guage wire?

**YeagerSights** · #1 02-18-2011, 11:05 AM

I'm about to wire my lights up today and was wondering if anybody new if 14 gauge wire will be enough for 100watt metal halides. I am wiring them up individually to a junction box and not i'n line. I have a whole role of some 14 gauge extension cord wire and was just wondering if that will be enough. Thanks

**tooshallow17** · #2 02-18-2011, 11:09 AM

It depends on the length of the wire and the quality of the insulation. I would use 12 gauge just to be safe but if the runs of wire are not real long then you will probably be ok.

**YeagerSights** · #3 02-18-2011, 12:19 PM

The longest is maybe 4ft to the junction Amd my wire is insulated pretty well

**tooshallow17** · #4 02-18-2011, 12:33 PM

You should be fine. I would also use heat shrink connectors and not wire nuts or anything like that. good luck

**YeagerSights** · #5 02-18-2011, 02:44 PM

Alright. Thanks for the help

**Git$um** · #6 02-20-2011, 11:12 AM

You should be fine. Let us know how the 100's work. I have one 400 watt that i am going to switch out with a 400watt hps to match my others.

**bowfishrp** · #7 02-24-2011, 12:23 PM

I use 16 gauge wire to each light....the wire is rated to 15 amp I believe which is about 1650 watts. The catch is you need a heavier wire from the generator to the junction/breaker box.