Identifying Cable Conductor Size Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[KEVINCONBOY]

How can you recognise what conductor size cable is by looking at it

[Mr White]

You look at hundreds if not thousands over your working life time and you recognise what size a cable is. Failing that you can measure it. (Bear in mind that cables are defined by their cross-sectional area, not the diameter)

[ericmark]

I use three crimp terminals where the size is not written on cable, red is 1.5 mm sq so tight fit 1.5 and loose 0.75 or 1 mm sq, the blue is 2.5 mm sq and the yellow tight 6 mm sq and loose 4 mm sq, this assumes metric cable.

With 14/0.012 cable not as easy, again use terminals as go/ no go gauges. If you go on to cable manufacturers page they do give some sizes, so you can measure the outside of a cable and compare, however not all the same insulation thickness.