Just setting up my first wled lightstrip which I’m soldering to an ESP 32. It’s my first time soldering. I bought two different lots of 18 gauge wire off Amazon - one silver coloured and one copper coloured inside. They both say capable of 300 v and take about low. I didnt read the description as I thought any 18 gauge would work but on reading one it says:
18/2 gauge black and red speaker wire is ideal for low voltage applications such as 12V/24V DC circuit connections, home or car speakers, home appliances, single color LED light strip, lamps, automotive, boat ect.
The other one says:
The flexible PVC wire is widely used in electronics or line environment lighting, model wiring harnesses, electrical appliances, equipment internal connecting wires, household appliances, large transformers and lamps, instrumentation, motor lead wires, electrical wiring and electronics, automotive, motorcycles, radio, truck, breadboard, arcade cabinet, etc.
The major thing to watch out for is ANYTHING that say “CCA”, “Al core”, “Copper Covered Aluminum”, etc.
You want either solid or stranded copper only, either can work depending on your use/needs.
The colour (silver) may just be pre-tinned wire, which is fine.
Note that these calculators are for copper wire. If you bought copper coated aluminum (which is less conductive) then treat what you have as equivalent to +2 larger (so your 18 awg in aluminum is equivalent to 20 AWG in copper).
Either of those should work fine for 18AWG copper.
That should be plenty for powering a short strip.
I’d suggest something much smaller for the data line (with ground), there’s no need to worry about voltage drop on the data line. Existing wire you might have around, such as 2-wire telephone cable or Cat 5e can work well.
Keep on asking when you need an idea for what will work
