Im trying to repair a washing machine and I need to extend some of the 20awg wire... but I cannot find any locally. The smallest I have is tinned #16. However, the butt splices take 22-18.

Where can I get the proper 20awg (high temp wire I assume)?
Is there a better way to connect the 20 with the larger 16?

 

Why would a washing machine need high temperature rated wire? What is the temperature rating on the wire you need to extend?

 

I'm wondering why #20. Doesn't sound correct.

 

Any automotive supply store will have it.
EG, Napa
Why does it need to be tinned or high temp.?

 

It used to be that Radio Shack had everything.

 

My mistake... I meant to say dryer. And indeed it takes #20 for my particular task.

 

Sounds like control wiring.

 

Why the mystery about what you are doing. We can give better help if we know what you are doing.

 

No conspiracy theory here Ray, the bigger picture is not important in regards to my inquiry about material. Frankly,I left out the specifics for the sake of brevity.... but if you must.....

The terminal block on my neighbors dryer was damaged. The neutral wires of the dryer that terminated on the block are 20AWG and fall a little short after snipping the damaged portion off. I intended on extending the wires using butt connectors. I cannot find the 20AWG I need though and the standard butt connectors would not accommodate both 20 and the 16 that I have on hand... hence my inquiry here.




Is what I describe "control wire"... I don't know for certain without going back and looking but I assume the wire is rated 200c?

This wire is only located under the back cover directly at the terminal block where the cord attaches too. So I don't think heat is an issue per say.

 

Judging from the small size, I don't know how the wire could be anything other than control wire of some type on a dryer. I seriously doubt the wire you are extending needs to be rated at 200 C especialy since the cord attaches at this same terminal block.

I think in your first post you insinuated the wire had to be high temperature rated. I think you can get the wire you need at any big box store or auto parts store.

 

You can certainly use a larger size wire. You are attempting to use butt splices but cap crimps are actually the ideal way to repair the wires. Many appliance manufacturers use cap crimps in their original wiring.

 

can i use a standard crimper with those insulated cap crimps or do they require a specific tool?

The wire that is being extended are a pair of neutral conductors from the dryer to the terminal block where they connect with the prong for the neutral slot of a 4 wire dryer cord. When you say "control" wire I assume something connected to a circuit board.

FWIW
Big box stores (around here anyway) do not carry insulated 600V wire smaller than 16 tinned copper. I have never seen 20awg suitable for my application at any hardware store around here.

 

Wire doesn't have to be rated for more then 300 volts.

 

200 C is 392 F. Are we drying the clothes or baking them?

 

Just wanting to replace with the same material pal.

 

I'd just use the wire you already have. I don't think the wire needs to be tinned copper, but since you have it, it won't hurt anything.