Heat a 30 AWG wire with 4 Amps? Current limit of a wire?

Question

The purpose of using a 30 AWG is to create heat. The wire is going to heat, and that is what I want. How can I calculate the limit of current I can use?

In the table

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recommend, for safe use of 30AWG, 0,86A IN OPEN AIR.

and in the table

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recommend, for safe use of 30AWG, 0,86A MAXIMUM AMPS FOR CHASSIS WIRING.

What is IN OPEN AIR? What is MAXIMUM AMPS FOR CHASSIS WIRING?

To create 30 Watts, my calculation gives me 4 Amps using 30AWG.

Is the 30 AWG wire is going to break?

How can I calculate the current limit of a 30AWG wire?

nospam · Accepted Answer

WIRING.The tables are no good for heating, that is what they are trying to avoid.Use longer wire, or use a wire made for heating, called heater wire.Stainless steel etc.  Copper is a poor choice for heater wire, tooconductive, too weak.

JeffM · Answer

WIRING. for the word *heat*.What is MAXIMUM AMPS FOR CHASSIS WIRING? link above also.Think: practical  limits.If you blow on it REALLY, REALLY hard,you may get it up to 4A before it melts. 8-)

keith · Answer

"Nichrome" wire is generally used for heater elements.True.  Copper is very bad for a heater.  ...also melts at too low of atemperature.

Roy Q.T. · Answer

i agree use the right wire for the right job,, years ago we use to fashion a coil of bare solid copper wire and plug it into the receptacle to see how it didn't blow the circuit breaker it wabble all out of shape and was only good for heat for a few seconds.

how to explain this : it ivaporates., under ground it will probable corrode and become part of your dirt.

w_tom · Answer

Compare the safe current (less than one amp) with the fusingcurrent for copper wire in open air - 10 amps.  Therein liesyour ballpark.  Now how hot can the insulation or wire coatingwithstand?  How much strength must the wire have when hot. What is the environment so that copper will not react withother air borne chemicals?  How thermally conductive is thewire's environment (more air motion even means a coolerwire)?   These other factors that determine wire temperaturealso must be considered.  Provided here are ballpark numbers. Your four amps is in the ballpark.Jean wrote:

Heat a 30 AWG wire with 4 Amps? Current limit of a wire?

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