Copper wire vs Magnet wire

[force9BOAT]

Hello,

I am in the process of building my first home-maid alternator for a windmill.  I have a basic question.  I noticed on the OtherPower.com web site that people refer to magnet wire for their windings.  What is the difference (if any) between magnet wire and ordinary copper wire?  Does the wire in the windings have to be insulated (is that what magnet wire means by any chance)?

Thank you,

Rob

[terry5732]

Yes , your wire needs to be insulated. Wire which is called "magnet wire" will be proper unless mislabeled. It is somewhat rare to find uninsulated copper wire nowdays but you may. You can check unknown wire for conductivity with an ohmmeter or such by placing leads on the surface at various points( there should be infinite resistance). The wire you want has a very light enamel coat which you usually can't directly see. Wire with plastic or vinyl insulation isn't practicle as you can't get enough turns in the field of the flux.

[pyrocasto]

Grounding wire is bare copper, and comes in many small sizes. Other than that I dont think there is other bare copper.

[apie]

Magnet wire is just insulated copper wire.  But the insulation is very thin

and heat-resistant.

This makes it ideal for winding coils where every mm is important.

You could try using other copper wire with 'normal' insulation but you will soon find out that the coils will be too large or have too few windings.

[force9BOAT]

Thank you for answering.  Now I understand.  The wire I purchased must be grounding wire.  It is copper wire with no insulation at all.  I'll go back to the store to purchase magnet wire.

Rob