where do you source your power wire

[Bruceb]

I am looking to buy spools of 14,16,18 and 20 ga wire.
Where do you find is a good source for these?
Thanks

[Jon Stratis]

A willing sponsor :). We found a couple of local power/electrical companies, and got them to donate spools to us. We just specified what we needed and they took care of the rest!

[wireties]

Tell them you want signal wire, not power wire though. You want stranded cable.

[VeqIR]

We use Powerwerx zip wire for long runs that we want the power/ground to stay together. It's not the most flexible wire for tight bends, but it routes straight lines very cleanly.

http://www.powerwerx.com/wire-cable/red-black-zip-cord.html
(http://www.powerwerx.com/wire-cable/red-black-zip-cord.html)

For electrical board wiring, we use high strand count silicone wire which allows for much a much smaller bend radius than the zip wire. This is more expensive, so we use it sparingly.

http://www.buddyrc.com/accessory/silicone-wires.html

Hope that helps!

[kjohnson]

We use Powerwerx zip wire for long runs that we want the power/ground to stay together. It's not the most flexible wire for tight bends, but it routes straight lines very cleanly.


We purchased the bonded wire from Powerwerx for the first time this year. We love it. It makes everything that much easier. We had the same experience with a little thicker insulation giving a little less bend radius than we're used to having, but overall a good purchase and still much cheaper than anything we can source locally.

[jvriezen]

I'm with Jon. Went to a local electrical contractor, told them what we are up to, and asked for red and black stranded 14 ga and 12 ga, and got a full spool (500') of each donated.

I've found that my new team was somewhat clueless as to how easy it is and how willing folks are to donate to a robotics team, once they hear a bit about the team. It usually goes over a bit better than the marching band wanting to go to Florida for spring break and looking for money.

Since I came to the team, we have donations of goods/services including the wire, a desktop CAD computer, a media laptop, some Lexan, limited printing/laminating services, and oh, yeah, from a primary sponsor, lots of aluminum and laser cutting of that aluminum and custom bending fabrication services -- all for free.

[Sparky3D]

We use zip cord (black and red wires molded together) for most of our wiring. Powerwerx, MCM electronics, and McMaster all sell it, but MCM is usually the cheapest.

[FrankJ]

MTW wire. Automation direct has it. Be careful not to get thhn/mtw. It is less flexible. Powerex. Monoprice has black/red bonded together. Certain appeal, but I don't have personal experience with it.

[JDL]

I second Automation Direct. I buy MTW from them in semi truck sized quantity.

Mcmaster has a good selection of MTW/TEW too, that's usually where I order our 22 and 20 from.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

We use MCM for red/black zip cord in various sizes. Check it out here...
http://electronics.mcmelectronics.com/search?cataf=&view=list&w=zip+cord&x=0&y=0