Copper cable

Cable Diameter Standards

Area (metric)	Diameter	American Wire Gauge	Ampacity	Typical Use !
0.08 mm²	0.32 mm	AWG28	0.8 A
0.10 mm²	0.36 mm	AWG27	1 A
0.14 mm²	0.40 mm	AWG26	1.3 A
0.25 mm²	0.50 mm	AWG23 / AWG24	3 A
0.50 mm²	0.75 mm	AWG20 / AWG21	5 A
0.75 mm²		AWG18 / AWG19	10 A
1.5 mm²		AWG16	12 A
2.5 mm²		AWG14	15 A
6.0 mm²		AWG10	30 A

The metric area is the advertised area, equivalent of mm² copper. The actual diameter, when translated from AWG specification may differ.

The Ampacity is the maximum current that can be transported through the wire without exceeding its temperature rating. In this case, the Ampacity at 60°C is given. For higher temperatures, multiply by 1.5. Given the power and voltage of a device, this allows you to determine the required amperage, and thus the required cable diameter.

Other considerations

Core

solid or flexible.

Material

copper of CCA (copper cladded aluminium). Copper is considered slightly better. CCA is cheaper and is consider good enough.

Further Reading

For UTP cabling

https://www.utp-kabel.nl/blog/welke-kabel-moet-ik-kiezen.html https://planetechusa.com/blog/ethernet-different-ethernet-categories-cat3-vs-cat5e-vs-cat6-vs-cat6a-vs-cat7-vs-cat8/