20 AWG 600 Volt Solid Copper Hook-up Wire

[jminassi]

Hi Folks,

I would like to buy a kit with 4-6 colors of 20 AWG 600 Volt tinned solid copper wire for tube amplifier projects.  I thought I found it at Remington Industries, but they only have stranded wire rated for 600 volts.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a reasonably priced source for hook-up wire?  Places like Mouser only seem to have 100 foot reels by color.  I was thinking more like 25' of each color.(white, black, green, etc.).

Best,

John

[mpeg2]

I've had good luck with wire from Apex Jr:  https://www.apexjr.com/wire.html

Not sold as kits, but available in different colors & you can buy a few sets of 25' each.

PTFE insulation, seems to work pretty well (at least it has for me).

RIch

[jminassi]

Thanks Rich!  I'll check it out.

John

[AB2KH]

Hi John,
Remington does have solid wire, at least two years ago, I purchased a 10 spool 25' multi color 18 agw solid pack. As I remember it I had to dig around there web site to find it. Can't imagine they would discontinue that line.

Hope this might help.
Chris/AB2KH

[mcandmar]

Good source for cheap cable in Wonderco_Buy on eBay, guys name is Chiang and is based in Taiwan.  He has one of those stores that the more you browse the larger your basket becomes.  Just check on shipping with him first, he currently cant ship to Ireland due to Covid.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133644087327 is one example, pretty much identical to the basic wire BH ship with the Crack kits etc with PVC insulation. 

For "high end" builds i always use Alpha wire, silver plated PTFE insulated but it only seems to be available in 100m rolls, and the price seems crazy in the US.  I can buy a roll locally for €70, but Mouser and Digikey list it at $230 a roll 

https://www.mouser.ie/ProductDetail/Alpha-Wire/2856-1-WH005?qs=gDuVh6aOMCe6N3UjGyfldg==

[jminassi]

Chris/AB2KH:

Thanks, but I called Remington.  They have 300 volt solid core, but not 600 volt.  They said they don't get much demand for it.  But they do have stranded AWG 20 rated for 600 volts.

mcandmar:

Thanks I will check out Wonderco_Buy.  I saw the silver plated wire at Mouser and agree those prices are crazy.

Best,

John

[Paul Birkeland]

I saw the silver plated wire at Mouser and agree those prices are crazy.

This is what we use in our higher end kits, or if space is really at a premium.

[jminassi]

Thanks PB.  You guys must be buying in huge quantities to get that price under control.

Best,

John

[Deke609]

I'll second the recommendation for Apex Jr. I've bought a bunch of silver plated ptfe coated solid corewire from them over the past couple of years and been completely satisfied. Prices were reasonable. The company used to sell bundles of differently colored wire on Ebay, but I can't find any current product listings. I'd suggest shooting them an email.

cheers, Derek

[Tubegopher]

I have found good 20g 600v solid core wire in various lengths at Amplified Parts. They have quite a selection. Also 22g 600v
https://www.amplifiedparts.com/search/node/wire%20

[Doc B.]

Yes, we buy wire in 1000ft spools and we go thru them like water. It's crazy how the much price of wire has risen over the past 20 years.

[jminassi]

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and comments.  One other thing occurred to me.  Why are we using solid core rather than stranded wire?  I have a friend I've known for fifty years who is a pro audio equipment manufacturer (mic preamps, compressors, etc.).  All his equipment is tube based, point-to-point wiring.  He told me all the wire he uses is stranded.

Why are we using solid core wire in kits?  Is it because it's easier to work with for beginners, and there is less chance of a stray strand causing a short?

Thanks,

John

[Jamier]

Solid core wire creates a much more secure physical connection on the tag strips prior to soldering, ensuring a better connection when it is completed.

Jamie

[Paul Birkeland]

If you need wire that can move around a lot and not break, then you want stranded wire.  If you want wire that holds its shape and stays where you put it, then you want solid core wire. 

[jminassi]

Thanks to all again for the clarification on stranded versus solid hook-up wire.

Best regards,

John