18AWG / 0.75mm^2

[Den]

Group:

Can European 0.75mm^2 flex be used on a low wattage mains appliance (e.g. a
table light) in the US in place of the more standard 18AWG?

Does the NEC specifiy a minimum size of conductor for low wattage appliances
(e.g. table lights)? If so, is this expressed as AWG or in metric?

Where this comes from is that all table lamps that I've seen in the US have
been wired with #18 AWG, but my European ones are 0.75mm^2 (which is
slightly smaller than the #18AWG's 0.82mm^2) and I'm trying to find out
(given that the 10%-ish reduction in size) is it i) acceptable and ii) safe?

Cheers

Den

 

[Bill Shymanski]

The correct consulting engineering answer is "Throw away that death trap
lamp of yours
and buy one built to North American specifications". But in your heart,
you know
that .75 and .82 square mm are not all that far apart now, are they?

If you were paying me for my opinion, I'd say replace the wires, the
socket and the plug. If
it was my lamp, I wouldn't be posting to net news about it.

Bill

 

[Bob Peterson]

The short answer is it might work but its a bad idea.

Group:

Can European 0.75mm^2 flex be used on a low wattage mains appliance (e.g.
a table light) in the US in place of the more standard 18AWG?

The current draw probably won't make much difference, but you will need a
new plug, and some kind of light bulb that will work on 120V rather than
220V, which might well mean replacing the socket as well.

Does the NEC specifiy a minimum size of conductor for low wattage
appliances (e.g. table lights)? If so, is this expressed as AWG or in
metric?

NEC does not cover requirements for such devices. UL sets generally
accepted minimum safety standards for such items. Wire in the US is
generally expressed in AWG for this size of wire.

Where this comes from is that all table lamps that I've seen in the US
have been wired with #18 AWG, but my European ones are 0.75mm^2 (which is
slightly smaller than the #18AWG's 0.82mm^2) and I'm trying to find out
(given that the 10%-ish reduction in size) is it i) acceptable and ii)
safe?

The reason is that even though the current draw is low enough that a smaller
wire might be used, UL has decided this is the smallest standard size wiring
that makes sense for the US. This covers not just ampacity, but physical
strength and other issues.

Cheers

Den

best bet - Go buy a new lamp.

 

[Den]

All:

Thanks for the advice. The lamp is of sentimental value ... time to go out
and buy a new cordset and lampholder.

Cheers

Den