what is the difference between awg and mm2

In the electrical trade, the terms AWG and mm2 are used to describe two different types of wire size measurements. While these terms may look similar, there are significant differences between them which need to be understood in order to make accurate electrical calculations.

AWG stands for American Wire Gauge, and is the standard measurement used for electrical wiring in the United States, while mm2 stands for square millimeters, and is the standard used in most other countries. The defining difference between the two is that AWG values refer to the diameter of a single conductor of a wire, while mm2 values refer to the cross-sectional area of two or more conductors within a wire.

For example, a 14 AWG wire has a diameter of 2.08 millimeters, whereas a 14mm2 wire has a cross-sectional area of 14 square millimeters. As both represent the same wire size, depending on where you are in the world, one will be referred to as 14 AWG, and the other as 14mm2. To further complicate matters, there is no direct conversion from one to the other, and it is not simply a matter of multiplying by a fixed number.

Ultimately, understanding the exact differences between AWG and mm2 is essential for electrical calculations, as incorrect use of these measurements can lead to dangerous results. For this reason, it’s important to always use the right measurements for the job, as specified by the local electrical codes.

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