In the American Wire Gauge (AWG) system, what is the effect of a gauge change of 3 on the conductor's resistance?

A change of three gauge numbers in the American Wire Gauge (AWG) system results in a specific and measurable effect on conductor resistance. In this system, each time the gauge number changes by one, the diameter of the wire changes, which significantly impacts the resistance.

For every decrease of 3 gauge numbers, the diameter of the wire increases, leading to a notable decrease in resistance. Specifically, moving down 3 gauges (from a larger to a smaller gauge) approximately halves the resistance. Conversely, if you were to increase 3 gauges (move from smaller to larger), you would see the resistance approximately double.

Thus, the choice indicating that a gauge change of 3 results in either doubling or halving the resistance accurately captures this relationship, as it reflects the fact that the resistance can roughly be halved for a decrease in gauge and doubled for an increase. This principle is critical for understanding how wire size impacts electrical performance in various applications.