Q:

Raspberry PiFace, need to put 14 gauge wire in 1.5mm terminal

I have a PiFace and I need to get at 14 gauge wire which is 1.63mm thick into a 1.5mm screw terminal. To pass 4 Amps at 24VDC. I only have 14 gauge and 22 gauge wire, the 22 gauge wire won't pass all the current I need. So, are there any ideas on how to connect this... File the wire, etc.

A:

Have a look at this table: https://wiki.xtronics.com/index.php/Wire-Gauge_Ampacity
It lists a source for the table and clearly states that the ampacity for free air is 7 amps. Free air means the wire is literally suspended in open air and not inside a raceway or enclosure. Inside of an enclosure or raceway, the maximum is 5 amps. BUT, remember that rating is limited by the thermal ability of the insulation. If you bundle multiple conductors all carrying a lot of current their combined heat output will add up. This the temperature up and can easily exceed the temperature rating of the insulation. So two wires carrying 4 amps might be fine. Eight bundled together might melt and/or become a fire hazard.

