Awg20 to Awg24

[zennn]

Hi im replacing an led fan and have realised the new wire is thicker and is a 20awg wire with a two pin connector instead of 24 awg. Is it still possible to use a couple inches of this 20awg wire soldered to the fan side of the connection? The new wire has 20awg 200c on it where as the wire from the power supply connector side is 24awg and has 300v 80c on it. Thanks.

 

[kanewolf]

If this is for a fan, then there is very little amperage and the fan had 24AWG to start with. Having 20AWG on the power supply side won't make any difference.

 

[zennn]

Sorry the larger 20awg wire is on the fan side of the connectors and not the power supply side. Will this still be ok? THANKS

 

[kanewolf]

For the amount of power a fan draws it shouldn't be a problem. The general case, is that larger wire can carry more current than smaller wire. In a situation where a significant amount of current is involved, having a smaller diameter wire on the power source side, can cause that wire to overheat. This is why you never want to use a 16GA extension cord plugged into the wall with a 12GA plugged into the 16GA. If you had enough load to max the 12GA wire, then you would overheat the remote 16GA wire without being aware.