Recreational Vehicle (RV) Technician Practice Test

As the gauge of copper wire increases, what happens to its diameter?

1. Increases in size

2. Stays the same

3. Decreases in size

4. Varies randomly

The correct answer is: Decreases in size

As the gauge of copper wire increases, its diameter decreases in size. This is a fundamental aspect of wire gauge measurements, where wire diameter is inversely related to its gauge number. In practical terms, a wire with a higher gauge number is thinner and has a smaller diameter. This relationship is defined by standardized wire gauge systems, such as the American Wire Gauge (AWG). Understanding this concept is crucial for wiring applications, especially in fields such as electrical engineering and RV maintenance, where choosing the appropriate wire size is vital for ensuring safety, efficiency, and proper electrical conductivity. When designing or repairing circuits, technicians must select wire gauges that can handle the necessary current loads while adhering to space constraints and other physical considerations in the RVs.