Thread: how much voltage can a phone wire take

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i have most of my props (will be posting pics soon) on a wireless remote 2 props i plan on putting out this year are about 20 feet from my receiver meaning i need to run switch power out to them. They are only 24v dc solenoids and i saw 30 foot phone extension wires at a discount store they are small very flexible and BLACK and about 2$. Can they handle this voltage? i seem to think that phone lines run at about 5 volts but i cant remember how i think i might know that.

cheers. fred.

[Also]...the valves i am using are surplus and i do not know the amperage they take. I can not put a multi meter on them without partially taking my prop apart.

thanx again. fred.

Phone wire is usually rated high enough for voltage although the current may be you limiting factor. what is the gauge of the wire?
What is the current rating of the coils of the solenoids?

It's not the voltage that will be your problem, 24 volts over that size 24 or 26 AWG would probably be fine, POTS or Plain Old Telephone Service puts 48 volts on the line. However how much current are solenoid consuming to actuate. A solenoid can suck down some juice I would be concerned at anything over 500ma (half an amp) for longer than a couple of seconds, the insulation on cheap phone cable is probably not rated for anything over 30ma, so YMMV.

thanks for the quick reply. i dont want to spend all this time on a prop and have cheap wiring fail on me.

cheers. fred.

Originally Posted by creepyfred

thanks for the quick reply. i dont want to spend all this time on a prop and have cheap wiring fail on me.

cheers. fred.

best bet is to get the insulated wire they use for 24v sprinkler systems.

you can buy it by the foot.

I would agree, the voltage on the phone line would not be a problem as most services out there put 48 to 56 volts, the issue would be the current. Your best bet, trailer wire... That will decently handle the current you need. The problem is, if you use phone line, i would think that it will cause massive failure of the insulation, resulting in a major short, fire, and ruin your equipment which would bad... Good luck..

Usually solenoids are rated in watts. to find amps divide the watts by the voltage. I have a 24 volt DC solenoid and it pulls .05 amps, so a 24 gauge wire would handle that .