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Old 07-26-2008, 08:26 PM   #1
Clark Addison
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Default Wire Gauge Question

Any electricians on board? I am a self-taught handyman, and have never dabbled in anything electric for fear of killing myself.

I am putting in a new, replacement, garage door opener. There are currently wires that go from the control panel, into the wall, up, and come out of the ceiling above the motor unit. I would like to just re-use these wires, since I don't know how I would get wires through the wall, and it would look better than stapled wires up the wall.

The problem is that the old wires are 24 gauge. The wires that came with the new unit are 22 gauge. So would it be a bad thing to use these wires?
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Old 07-26-2008, 08:29 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by Clark Addison View Post
Any electricians on board? I am a self-taught handyman, and have never dabbled in anything electric for fear of killing myself.

I am putting in a new, replacement, garage door opener. There are currently wires that go from the control panel, into the wall, up, and come out of the ceiling above the motor unit. I would like to just re-use these wires, since I don't know how I would get wires through the wall, and it would look better than stapled wires up the wall.

The problem is that the old wires are 24 gauge. The wires that came with the new unit are 22 gauge. So would it be a bad thing to use these wires?
This is just for the momentary contact switch for opening and closing right? You'll be fine.
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Old 07-26-2008, 08:41 PM   #3
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This is just for the momentary contact switch for opening and closing right? You'll be fine.
Right, that's what it is. Thanks.
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Old 07-26-2008, 09:00 PM   #4
il Padrino Ute
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clark Addison View Post
Any electricians on board? I am a self-taught handyman, and have never dabbled in anything electric for fear of killing myself.

I am putting in a new, replacement, garage door opener. There are currently wires that go from the control panel, into the wall, up, and come out of the ceiling above the motor unit. I would like to just re-use these wires, since I don't know how I would get wires through the wall, and it would look better than stapled wires up the wall.

The problem is that the old wires are 24 gauge. The wires that came with the new unit are 22 gauge. So would it be a bad thing to use these wires?
There is only one way to find out: do it and see what happens.

That's how I do things.
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Old 07-27-2008, 03:13 AM   #5
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Update: I was not electrocuted and house has not burned down yet. Garage door works fine.
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Old 07-27-2008, 09:40 PM   #6
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Update: I was not electrocuted and house has not burned down yet. Garage door works fine.
Lots of installers use a pair from a Cat 5 for this. Cat 5 is like 26 guage or maye even 28.
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Old 07-28-2008, 01:04 AM   #7
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There is only one way to find out: do it and see what happens.

That's how I do things.
smoke test.
Everyone does it that way.
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