12-17-2018, 10:58 AM
Be aware that the other challenge here is voltage rating. Several vendors sell cloth covered wire that is rated at 600V but it is way too thick to look authentic or even be practical in most 30s radios. Then there is specialty automotive wire which my be rated for 50V or even 32V - I have called and asked since it is usually not stated.
In many radios the manufacture used "push-back" wire where the insulation is not bonded to the conductor. This wire is also unrated. Radio Daze sells several colors of push-back wire which I have used in many restorations like the Stratospheres.
The thinner types of stranded, cloth covered wire are rated at 300V OR, unrated. This wire is best for connections that can experience some movement such as grid-cap conductors. This wire is also sold by Radio daze.
Routing is critical to using wire that is unrated or rated lower than the actual B+ voltages. Years ago, I used to turn chassis over, fire them up AND turn off the lights to watch for leakage/discharge (blue glow or sparks). While I have not used the low-rated automotive wire, if I did, I think I would go back to checking this way - or avoid using it if there is any alternative.
Russ
In many radios the manufacture used "push-back" wire where the insulation is not bonded to the conductor. This wire is also unrated. Radio Daze sells several colors of push-back wire which I have used in many restorations like the Stratospheres.
The thinner types of stranded, cloth covered wire are rated at 300V OR, unrated. This wire is best for connections that can experience some movement such as grid-cap conductors. This wire is also sold by Radio daze.
Routing is critical to using wire that is unrated or rated lower than the actual B+ voltages. Years ago, I used to turn chassis over, fire them up AND turn off the lights to watch for leakage/discharge (blue glow or sparks). While I have not used the low-rated automotive wire, if I did, I think I would go back to checking this way - or avoid using it if there is any alternative.
Russ
