What Does The Gauge Of The Wire Mean?

The word gauge refers to a scale or standard of measurement and in the sense implied here refers to the measurement of the thickness or diameter of a wire. It is also used as a standard of quality, capacity or dimension. The term wire gauge can refer to one of two things, it can refer to the device used in measuring the width and diameters of wires or it can refer to a standard system defining wire sizes.

The gauge to measure wire sizes generally consists of a round disc or an elongated plate with slots cut into its periphery to accommodate wires of different sizes. Gauges do not specify just the width of a wire in certain cases they determine the electric carrying capacity of the wire as well.