Is it ok to twist 2 strands of 18/20 gauge electrical wires along the entire length of the wire?

Question

I am hooking up a new whole house humidifier to my furnance and it calls for typical thermostat wire. I have some excess single strand 18/20 gauge wire and was wondering if using that and twisting them along the whole run will somehow effect the current/volts?


The only reason I ask is that on a new electric dog fence, they include twisted wire for you to use in areas that you so not want the dog to get shocked. (ie-it cancels the signal in that area when you use the twisted wire).

Thanks

Answer 1

Perfectly safe.

Answer 2

No, It should not affect the operation of the stat, as long as the wires' insulations are still intact to avoid a short.
Your invisible fence wires are like an antennae, carrying radio signal that the dogs collar picks up. Twisting the wires does in fact kinda 'cancel out' the signal.
The stat wire is carrying a low voltage current and, unlike a radio signal, can not cancel itself out.

Answer 3

As far as interferance is concerned, if you twist the wires in uniform fashion for the entire length, it will act as shield from outside noise, and the wire itself will emit less noise to outside.

This is because each wire will carry opposing current and it will cancel each other.

The real question is, what is this wire going to carry? Is it going to be a control current (low voltage), then it is safe. If it is going to be anything more, I wouldn't recommend it, not to mention it will be against code.

Also be aware that some wires are less resistant to abrasion. Thermostat wires are encased in PVC so it is protected. Make sure it doesn't rub against structures that might cut through or wear through the insulation.

Answer 4

the 10 gauge for the main run and the 12 for the feeders to the various components.... there is a voltage drop and an allowed percentage of voltage drop in the national el code.. about 6% max i believe... you don't want problems down the road.... be sure the the receptacles and switches are properly rated (in amperage) for what ever they are feeding....and your outlet boxes are rated for wet location if it is exposed outdoors...6 inches of wire should be left out of a standard outlet box ,from the face of the box, large and deep junction boxes should have more......... be sure all your wire nut connections are tight, give the wires a good tug, they should not pull out with the additional details given.... the 12 AWG is fine

Answer 5

It IS safe, but it's also likely to change the signal. A while back, I was working with a free energy scientist who had us twisting wires in a special way to create a 'superconductor' effect. You'll want to look at the output to see if your windings have had any unwanted effect.