AWG number of the common leadwire should be reduced from the AWG number of the individual leadwires by the number of integer steps above to minimize initial imbalance and loss of leadwire temperature compensation. This assumes the leadwires are all of the same length and that all dummy and active gages are of the same nominal resistance.

Note : This procedure for circuit compensation by wire gauge selection is based on single-conductor (solid) wires, for which there is a well-defined relationship between AWG number and the conductor cross-sectional area. Since the wire is normally drawn to a specified diameter, rather than resistance, precise compensation may require measurement of the wire resistances. The relationship between wire gauge and resistance is still more variable with stranded wire, and the resistance should always be measured to accurately establish the resistance ratio between the common and individual leadwires. In either case, any minor adjustments necessary to obtain the correct resistance for temperature compensation can be made by increasing or decreasing the length of the common leadwire as required.

Table