Code of Federal Regulations Title 33. Navigation and Navigable Waters § 183.425.Conductors: General

(a) Each conductor must be insulated, stranded copper.

(b) Except for intermittent surges each conductor must not carry a current greater than that specified in Table 5 for the conductor's gauge and temperature rating.

(c) For conductors in engine spaces, amperages must be corrected by the appropriate correction factor in note 1 of Table 5.

(d) Each conductor in a multiconductor sheath must be at least a No. 18 AWG conductor.

(e) Each conductor installed separately must be at least a No. 16 AWG conductor.

(f) Each No. 18 AWG conductor in a multiconductor sheath may not extend out of the sheath more than 30 inches.

(g) This section does not apply to communications systems; electronic navigation equipment; electronic circuits having a current flow of less than one ampere; conductors which are totally inside an equipment housing; resistance conductors that control circuit amperage; high voltage secondary conductors and terminations that are in ignition systems; pigtails of less than seven inches of exposed length and cranking motor conductors.