Purpose of enameled wire?

[Sean Mathias]

I am unclear as to the purpose of enameled wire as opposed to plain
old insulation (PVC, etc.). I typically see enameled wire called for
in making inductors and transformers. Can anyone explain the
properties of enameled wire that make it better suited to these
applications?

As a folow-up question: Can enameled wire be simulated by coating
copper wire with something like polyurethane or ScotchKote? I suppose
this may be rhetorical based on an answer to the above.

Thanks,

Sean

 

[John Miller]

I am unclear as to the purpose of enameled wire as opposed to plain
old insulation (PVC, etc.). I typically see enameled wire called for
in making inductors and transformers. Can anyone explain the
properties of enameled wire that make it better suited to these
applications?

In applications that require close winding, as those you mentioned, it takes
less space -- make that a lot less space -- and you can get more turns into
the same area.

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

I am unclear as to the purpose of enameled wire as opposed to plain
old insulation (PVC, etc.). I typically see enameled wire called for
in making inductors and transformers. Can anyone explain the
properties of enameled wire that make it better suited to these
applications?

The insulation is thin and more wire can fit in a given space. That's
important for inductors, transformers, motors etc.

As a folow-up question: Can enameled wire be simulated by coating
copper wire with something like polyurethane or ScotchKote? I suppose
this may be rhetorical based on an answer to the above.

Most so-calle "enameled" wire is actually polyurethane or other modern
insulation.

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

 

[Watson A.Name - \Watt Sun, the Dark Remover\]

I am unclear as to the purpose of enameled wire as opposed to plain
old insulation (PVC, etc.). I typically see enameled wire called for
in making inductors and transformers. Can anyone explain the
properties of enameled wire that make it better suited to these
applications?

The insulation is thinner, so you can get more turns in the same area.

As a folow-up question: Can enameled wire be simulated by coating
copper wire with something like polyurethane or ScotchKote? I suppose
this may be rhetorical based on an answer to the above.

You could do it yourself, but the results would probably be
disappointing. Copper has to bend a lot, and it's doubtful the coating
you use would stick to it after it was bent. I would guess that
enameled wire has the coating baked on, so that it adheres to the wire
even when bent sharply. Not only this, but any coating you use has to
hold up under high heat, when the current heats up the wire a lot. So
it's probably wise to leave the wire coating to the professionals.

Thanks,

Sean

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[Peter A Forbes]

The insulation is thinner, so you can get more turns in the same area.


You could do it yourself, but the results would probably be
disappointing. Copper has to bend a lot, and it's doubtful the coating
you use would stick to it after it was bent. I would guess that
enameled wire has the coating baked on, so that it adheres to the wire
even when bent sharply. Not only this, but any coating you use has to
hold up under high heat, when the current heats up the wire a lot. So
it's probably wise to leave the wire coating to the professionals.

We use a lot of coated wire for our own transformer winding, we buy enamelled
wire in either Polyester coated which can be soldered through the insulation
without having to scrape it off first, or Polyester which has to be physically
removed before you can solder the wire.

There are also different numbers or coatings, we always use Grade 2 which is
double coated and of course you can get different colours and temeparture
ranges.

Peter

 

[Sean Mathias]

Thanks for everyone's response and information. Given all that was
said, I think it is reasonable to assume for my purposes (a 1" long
coil of #14 wire with only 5 turns), that enameled wire is unnecessary
and bare copper should do just fine as there is plenty of gap between
each turn.

At the same time, I would think that I could form the coil and coat it
with an appropriate insulator as mentioned after it is formed.

Sean

 

[John Miller]

Thanks for everyone's response and information. Given all that was
said, I think it is reasonable to assume for my purposes (a 1" long
coil of #14 wire with only 5 turns), that enameled wire is unnecessary
and bare copper should do just fine as there is plenty of gap between
each turn.

At the same time, I would think that I could form the coil and coat it
with an appropriate insulator as mentioned after it is formed.

Why not just use regular insulated wire?

--
John Miller
Email address: domain, n4vu.com; username, jsm

"You can have my Unix system when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers."
-- Cal Keegan

 

[Sean Mathias]

True enough!