AWG (American Wire Gauge)

Abbreviation for American Wire Gauge. Used in the United States and other countries as a standard method of denoting wire diameter. The higher the number the thinner the wire. Thicker wire is generally capable of carrying larger amount of current over greater distances with less loss (though there are other things that cause current loss in wire). Sometimes the loss of cables is rated in Ohms per one thousand feet and for a particular type of wire the lower gauges (larger wires) have less resistance to current flow.