For landscape lighting. What is the difference between 10-12-14 aside from the thickness. Is one better than the other? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
For landscape lighting. What is the difference between 10-12-14 aside from the thickness. Is one better than the other? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The 10, 12, 14, is a gauge size, the smaller the number the larger the wire, the larger the wire the lower the resistance and more current it can carry.
The voltage has nothing to due with the gauge only the insulation on the wire which needs to withstand the voltage it’s rated to before is breaks down and would allow an arc though it.
You simply need to determine the total maximum current the lighting would ever draw and pick the closest, larger gauge of wire that will carry that.
For example if you find you would draw a maximum of 16A you would use a 12 gauge which is rated to 20A (compared to a 14 gauge which is rated to 15A).
The lower the number on the wire gauge=the thicker it is, the more current it can carry, the less resistance it has, and the more money it costs. This website :
http://www.diylife.com/2008/01/26/low-voltage-outdoor-lighting/
recommends 12/2 wire (12 gauge /2 conductor) for a typical front yard installation. Using too small wire will cause excessive voltage drop in the wiring.