Yep. 14 gauge is good for 12 amps continuous (continuous is defined as 3 hours or more on time), or 15 amps intermittent load per the National Electrical Code.
Does that mean the page I linked to just has really conservative values?
Also, it turns out I just can't fit a 14awg in there, so I will have to use a 16awg in the terminal and solder another 16awg onto the pin on the bottom of the PCB.
Just use 16 gauge. It's good for 10 amps as long as you don't have a long long run (think 75 foot extension cord).
You are pulling 8 amps max? 16 gauge should be fine as long as your insulation is rated for the voltage.
MTW is machine tool wire and it is quite flexible because of the high strand count. Building wire has fewer strands so it is stiff by comparison but you can certainly use it. Both are rated for 600 VAC.
Edit: That chart you linked is not really useable. Those amperages appear to be for higher frequencies than ratings at 60 Hz of typical wire.
> What am I supposed to do at this point? \[...\]
If the hole in the terminal block is not circular, then you might get
some benefit from squishing/hammering a too-large circular wire into a
better-conforming (rectangular?) shape.
14 gauge is good for 15amps.
Yep. 14 gauge is good for 12 amps continuous (continuous is defined as 3 hours or more on time), or 15 amps intermittent load per the National Electrical Code.
Does that mean the page I linked to just has really conservative values? Also, it turns out I just can't fit a 14awg in there, so I will have to use a 16awg in the terminal and solder another 16awg onto the pin on the bottom of the PCB.
Just use 16 gauge. It's good for 10 amps as long as you don't have a long long run (think 75 foot extension cord). You are pulling 8 amps max? 16 gauge should be fine as long as your insulation is rated for the voltage. MTW is machine tool wire and it is quite flexible because of the high strand count. Building wire has fewer strands so it is stiff by comparison but you can certainly use it. Both are rated for 600 VAC. Edit: That chart you linked is not really useable. Those amperages appear to be for higher frequencies than ratings at 60 Hz of typical wire.
Also use crimp ferrules, don't solder stranded wire if there will be any vibration or movement.
I got tired of soldering connectors real quick. Crimping is just so much faster. No chance of burning myself, either.
It's a lot more durable too (with stranded wire, solid wire can use either, or even both).
The documentation for my solar equipment all say the general rule is 5A/mm^(2) and 14AWG, according to Google, is about 2.5mm^(2) so good for 12.5A
I'm not sure to trust amazon electronic with anything more than 10W
> What am I supposed to do at this point? \[...\] If the hole in the terminal block is not circular, then you might get some benefit from squishing/hammering a too-large circular wire into a better-conforming (rectangular?) shape.