Can Several Strands of Wire be Combined to Make a 10 Gauge Wire

Question:

I have a lot of thinner gauge wire Can I put 2 together to make 10 gauge So I can use what I already have

asked by: Stan

Expert Reply:

You would have to remove all the insulation from the wire that you have and then braid the strands together and find a way to re-cover it with the properly rated insulation. It would be easier to just get new wire and avoid all of that work and hassle trying to find, purchase, and re-bond insulation for the wires.

It is also possible that the various wires you have are not all the same type. Some could be made of different materials, grades of copper, or rated for different amperage draw. So ideally you would go with new wire # 10-1-1 for single 10 gauge wire or # 10-2-1 for duplex 10 gauge wire. Each is sold by the foot.

expert reply by: Michael H