Is There Inconsistency With Electric Brake Wiring Gauge

Updated 03/06/2024 | Published 03/05/2024

Question:

Electric Brake Wiring Just trying to reconcile the fact that recommendations are to use 10ga or 12ga wire in trailer axle brake installations. On three separate axle electric brakes I have seen what I believe to be 16ga pigtail wiring coming from the brake backing plates. I have just completed installation of a new Lippert 5200lb axle and again I am seeing 16ga pigtails. Why this inconsistency?

asked by: Klinger B

Expert Reply:

That's a good question Barry, and electric brakes like # 23-468-469 do use 16 gauge wiring for the pigtails. But we do recommend using 10 gauge to connect to the brakes simply because of how far the wiring generally has to be run on trailers. I can't speak for why manufacturers use 16 gauge on the pigtails, unfortunately, but sticking with 10 or 12 gauge to ensure less voltage drop per length.

expert reply by: Kyle S

Barry K.

3/6/2024

There is definitely room for improvement from the axle manufacturers. I guess it probably comes down to saving a couple of cents on wiring over providing a fail safe quality installation. Probably the same reason they don’t provide a nice sealed push on electrical connector instead of the butt splice nightmare the installer has to go through.