As a professional weaver, it is important to be aware of the difference between SWG and AWG when purchasing weaving equipment. While both are weaving gauges, SWG measures the number of plain weave picks per inch while AWG measures the diameter of the wire in inches. This can be important to know when selecting warp yarns or replacement parts for your loom.
What is SWG?
The SWG (standard wire gauge) is a standard unit of measurement for wire diameter. The SWG number is derived from the cross-sectional area of the wire, and it is used to identify the thickness of the wire. SWG 14, for example, refers to a wire with a diameter of 2 mm. The SWG system is used primarily in the United Kingdom and Europe, and it is also used in some other countries. In the United States, the AWG (American Wire Gauge) system is more commonly used.
What is AWG?
- AWG, or American Wire Gauge, is a standard system of measurement for the diameter of electrical wire. The AWG system is used in both the United States and Canada. AWG is a logarithmic scale, which means that each AWG number corresponds to a specific diameter. The higher the AWG number, the thinner the wire.
- For example, AWG 20 wire has a diameter of 0.032 inches, while AWG 10 wire has a diameter of 0.102 inches. AWG 6 wire, meanwhile, has a diameter of 0.19 inches.
- The vast majority of electrical wiring in homes and businesses uses AWG 14 or AWG 12 wire. AWG 8 wire is used for heavier-duty applications such as electrical panels and breaker boxes. When it comes to electrical wiring, it’s important to use the correct gauge of wire to ensure safe and efficient operation.
Difference between SWG and AWG
SWG and AWG are both units of measurement for wire diameter. SWG stands for “standard wire gauge” and is a British imperial unit. AWG stands for “American wire gauge” and is an American customary unit.
- The difference between SWG and AWG is that SWG is expressed in inches and AWG is expressed in millimeters. SWG is also a more precise measurement than AWG.
- When converting from SWG to AWG, the rule of thumb is that SWG is 30% larger than AWG. For example, 18 SWG wires would be equivalent to 16 AWG wire. To convert from AWG to SWG, the rule of thumb is that SWG is 70% of the size of AWG.
- Therefore, 16 AWG wire would be equivalent to 21 SWG wires. When shopping for electrical wire, it’s important to know which unit of measurement your supplier uses so that you can buy the right size wire for your project.
Conclusion
The two units of measurement for wire diameter are SWG and AWG. SWG stands for Standard Wire Gauge, while AWG stands for American Wire Gauge. They both measure the thickness of a wire but use different scales. Most countries outside of America use the SWG scale, while America uses the AWG scale. If you’re ever unsure which unit of measurement to use when ordering or specifying wire diameter, be sure to clarify with your supplier which system they are using.
