Which wire gauge is most commonly sold for multi-conductor FPL cables?

• A. 16 gauge
• B. 18 gauge
• C. 20 gauge
• D. 22 gauge

Answer: (B)

The gauge most commonly sold for multi-conductor FPL cables is eighteen AWG. This size offers a practical balance between the current it can carry and how easily it can be pulled and terminated in a multi-conductor bundle. It’s large enough to handle the modest currents typical of fire protection signaling devices and control circuits, while still being flexible and cost-effective for everyday installations. Larger gauges would be stiffer and more expensive without a universal need for extra current capacity in most standard FPL runs, and smaller gauges would be more fragile or prone to voltage drop over longer distances. That combination is why suppliers consistently stock and buyers prefer eighteen AWG for these cables.