The smallest wire has the largest # (number).

These
samples are some of the types wire used in my Run
Room. Some of my wire is surplus from various
sources.

Wire Size Uses

o #24 CAT-2 3 pair solid Telephone - Use a combined pair as one wire
for turnout control, and use individual wires in pairs for lighting taps
in a local area.
o #24 CAT-5 4 twisted pair solid Data - Use a combined pair as one wire
for turnout control, and use individual wires in pairs for lighting taps
in a local area.
o #22 7 conductor irrigation cable - Control wires for turnouts
o #20 2 conductor thermostat wire - Lighting bus wiring in local areas.
o #18 thhn for AC electrical - Variable voltage feed for turnouts. Small
accessory loads.
o #16 2 conductor stranded lamp cord - Temporary track wire.
o #16 thhn solid for AC electrical - Taps to track from bus wiring.
o #16 thhn stranded for AC electrical - Accessory bus wiring.
o #14 thhn stranded for AC electrical - Bus wire for track on small
layouts and accessories.
o #12 thhn stranded for AC electrical - Variable voltage bus wire for
track on a large layout and Common bus wire for small layouts.
o #10 thhn stranded for AC electrical - Common bus wire for large
layouts.