PTS Flowbench Forum

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jfholm wrote:Here is something interesting, a 10 gauge wire in romex, as in a 10/3 cable has an amp rating of 30 amps at a room temp of 86º f. If you take the same 10 gauge wire in a single conductor not in conduit or bundled as in romex has an amp rating of 58 amps at the same room temp. I had no idea it would be that much difference.

It's all a matter of heat dissipation from the I^2R losses, or W converted to heat via electrical 'friction'. In a Romex bundle, you not only have the extra layer of insulation to impede cooling the conductor, you have two other conductors contributing to the heat generation within the same sheath.

I like the idea of the ammeter, but I think I'd just be depressed to 'see' all that current being used. Its amazing how much heat 8 motors at full tilt will generate. I think I could heat my shop in the winter by proper scheduling of my flow testing.