@lloydc - It’s not really the gauge that dictates how well a power cables performs on any specific components, but the type of copper, the gauge and type of the wire, the insulation and the cable geometry.
As an example, my DIY Source Power cable uses a 2 x 18 gauge Solid UP-OCC wire for the live conductor - that’s equivelent to 15 gauge, but the fact that it uses solid wire boosts its current carrying capacity to a much highrer level, than what a 15 gauge stranded wire could support.
My cables for power components use 2 x 14 gauge Solid UP-OCC wire - that’s equivelent to 11 gauge.
The other thing about using a lighter gauge wire
- you are limiting the use of that power cable to only source components
- and YOU have to remember that it is a lighter gauge and not to be used on a power component
Many cable providers simply build a single duty cable and do not bother to provide cables rated for source components, probably due to the additional invetory they would have to keep on hand.
I use a smaller gauge to save money, because I buy wire by the foot and as a DIYer I want to save as much as possible and the light gague wire can reduce the cost of a cable by a signficant amount
But there are some companies out there that provide source power cables, so shop around.
Hope that helps - Steve
