If you’ve ever reviewed a cable drawing, wire harness specification, or electrical BOM, you’ve almost certainly encountered terms like 18 AWG, 22 AWG, or 10 AWG. These numbers may look simple, but behind them lies one of the most critical — and often misunderstood — standards in cable and wire harness design: AWG. Choosing the wrong AWG size can lead to overheating, voltage drop, mechanical failure, or even compliance issues in regulated industries such as medical, industrial, and military electronics.