from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
American Wire Gauge
AWG
Brown and Sharpe Wire Gauge
<hardware, standard> (AWG, sometimes "Brown and Sharpe Wire
Gauge") A U.S. {standard} set of non-ferrous wire conductor
sizes. Typical household wiring is AWG number 12 or 14.
Telephone wire is usually 22, 24, or 26. The higher the gauge
number, the smaller the diameter and the thinner the wire.
Thicker wire is better for long distances due to its lower
resistance per unit length.
(2001-03-26)