Toy Train Layout Wiring - Wire Sizes
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The smallest wire has the largest # (number). These samples are some of the types wire used in my Run Room. Some of my wire is surplus from various sources.
Wire Size Uses
- #24 CAT-2 3 pair solid Telephone - Use a combined pair as one wire for turnout control, and use individual wires in pairs for lighting taps in a local area.
- #24 CAT-5 4 twisted pair solid Data - Use a combined pair as one wire for turnout control, and use individual wires in pairs for lighting taps in a local area.
- #22 7 conductor irrigation cable - Control wires for turnouts
- #20 2 conductor thermostat wire - Lighting bus wiring in local areas.
- #18 thhn for AC electrical - Variable voltage feed for turnouts. Small accessory loads.
- #16 2 conductor stranded lamp cord - Temporary track wire.
- #16 thhn solid for AC electrical - Taps to track from bus wiring.
- #16 thhn stranded for AC electrical - Accessory bus wiring.
- #14 thhn stranded for AC electrical - Bus wire for track on small layouts and accessories.
- #12 thhn stranded for AC electrical - Variable voltage bus wire for track on a large layout and Common bus wire for small layouts.
- #10 thhn stranded for AC electrical - Common bus wire for large layouts.
Most of the above wire is sold in home improvement stores in 500' spools. Electrical Supply houses have the #16 thhn and #18 in 500' spools in all colors. Stranded wire is easier to pull long distances and terminate with screw clamp terminals. Solid wire doesn't tangle as bad as stranded. Solid wire is easier to insert into small openings.
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