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Birmingham Wire Gauge (BWG)
Definition:
The Birmingham Wire Gauge (BWG) is a system used to designate the diameters of wires by assigning numbers. It is considered obsolescent and has been largely replaced by the metric system for measuring wire diameters.
Key Characteristics:
- Numbered Designation: BWG uses a numerical system to represent the diameter of wires. The number corresponds to specific wire diameters, with higher numbers indicating thinner wires and lower numbers indicating thicker wires.
- Obsolescence: The BWG system has been largely replaced by metric measurements, which are more standardized and widely used in modern engineering and manufacturing.
- Historical Use: The BWG system was commonly used in the UK and other regions before the metric system became more prevalent. It was especially used in industries related to wire and cable manufacturing.
- Conversion: To convert from BWG to metric measurements, reference tables or conversion formulas are required, as the two systems use different scales.
Applications:
- Historical Context: Mainly used in historical contexts and older specifications related to wire sizes.
- Special Cases: Occasionally used in specific industries or regions where traditional standards are still referenced.
Summary:
The Birmingham Wire Gauge (BWG) is an outdated system for specifying wire diameters using numbered designations. It has been largely supplanted by the metric system but may still be encountered in historical documents or specific applications.