2 gauge

In various contexts, "2 gauge" (or "two gauge") refers to a measurement specification. The term "gauge" itself is used in multiple industries as a standardized measurement system, though the specific units and scales often differ depending on the application. Therefore, understanding what "2 gauge" means requires knowing the specific industry or application to which it refers.

In electrical wiring, gauge refers to the American Wire Gauge (AWG) standard. 2 AWG wire is a specific wire size with a defined diameter and current-carrying capacity. Lower AWG numbers indicate thicker wires with higher current capacity. 2 AWG wire is commonly used for high-current applications such as connecting batteries in vehicles or for supplying power to subpanels in buildings.

In shotgun ammunition, "2 gauge" historically referred to a very large bore shotgun. The gauge number in shotgun shells denotes the number of lead balls, each with the bore diameter, that weigh one pound. A 2 gauge shotgun, therefore, would have a bore diameter equivalent to the diameter of a lead ball weighing one-half of a pound. Due to their size and impracticality, 2 gauge shotguns are exceedingly rare.

In body modification, "gauge" (often abbreviated as "g") is used as a measurement for the diameter of piercings, particularly in the earlobes. In this context, "2 gauge" refers to a specific diameter measurement for the piercing, typically measured in millimeters or inches. Lower gauge numbers again indicate larger diameters.

In metalworking, gauge may refer to the thickness of sheet metal or the diameter of wire. Specific gauge systems, such as the Birmingham gauge, vary by material. Without specifying the particular gauge system, "2 gauge" in metalworking lacks definitive meaning.