Wiring Gauge Sizes

[tonymce]

The original wiring diagrams for the Derby shows wiring sizes as follows: 23/36, 22/38, 40/36 and 90/36.

The suppliers of wiring for classic and vintage cars do not recognise this nomenclature and are offering 8 Amp wire or 14/030, 16 Amp or 28/030 and 25 Amp or 44/030

Can one of you experts advise what the modern equivalent is to the original sizes?

[Christopher Carnley]

14,16,28 and 44 are appropriate as confirmed by the Green Book, be guided by the AES website.
The battery and starter cables must be the flexible welder wire type or you will never bend it into the starter switch, ie "solenoid". on the bulk head.

Crimp and solder with electric iron every connection and insulate with heat shrink sleeve.

The Grenfell fire started with sloppily crimped connections overheating.

Braided wires are a PITA and there were never any under bonnet on the Bentley,s.

[tonymce]

Christopher. Thank you for your response. I am trying to identify what modern wiring descriptions (e.g. 8 Amp or 14/030) equate to the original 23/36 sizes quoted in the wiring diagrams.

I am assuming that 23/36 means 23 strands of 36 SWG wire but am not sure if this is correct and don't know if it equates to 8 Amp or 16 Amp wire as available today.

[Christopher Carnley]

Tony,

You may be worrying too much, the "too much information" of strand numbers and wire gauges are OK for old wires, but the modern PVC insulate stuff is far superior.
Rest assured that modern No 14 is more than adequate for 8.75 amp capacity. and No 28 for 17.5 amps.

[Charles R Simmers]

Tony,

Check the "http://www.britishwiring.com" website. They have some information on cross-referencing older and newer wire gauges. They are also a good source of supplies. (I have no connection with them)

-Chuck