> How would you guys test the maximum ampere rating on the insulation on th=
e
> cable itself? The bench power supply is about 5 amps max.The welding
> machine? Over kill and too much trouble. Like to hear your ideas.
> John
>
>

On insulation ratings, I normally think of voltage. But, there IS a
current limit based on heating (I squared R). The power generated by the
power dissipated in a segment of the wire is dissipated by convection
after passing through the insulation. The trick is to keep the insulation
from melting or worse. The temperature of the insulation will be related
to the current through the wire (power dissipation), the ambient
temperature, the thermal resistance of the insulation (though I suspect
this is lower than the "thermal resistance" of convection) and the ambient
temperature. Note that bundles of wires have a lower current rating than
individual wires since the convection cooling is worse for the bundle.
Further, the current rating of a bundle in conduit is lower than the wire
bundle not in conduit.

I have not worked with currents where the wire is in danger of overheating
in a long time. In general, though, I'd just go with the wire
manufacturer's recommendations.

Harold



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