Low wattage 110v over 20-22AWG wire?

As long as the wire insulation is rated above the AC voltage (usually 300V) and the current used by the LED strip is below what 20 - 22 gauge wire is rated

for which is 5A (22 ga.) - 6A (20 ga.) for solid wire it is safe. Using stranded wire decreases the current that can be handled by the wire. The current needed

for the LED strip can be calculated using the wattage of the LED strip which you did not mention in your post but for the wire gauges given using solid wire will

handle ~ 550W (22 ga.) -  ~ 660W (20 ga.).

The distance of the branch to the 5V power supply would have to be real long for it to matter in this application however the length of the wire from the control

box to the LED strip should be kept as short as possible assuming current needed by the LED strip is fairly close to what the wire can handle.

Unless I'm being a bit daft, the request is about the Input current. No spect for the input draw but here is some comparisons.

I have a few 240V in 5V out wall warts lying around, Specs are:

Apple iPad     - Input 100-240V AC @ 0.45A (so 450mA)

                      - Output 5.1V DC - 2.1A

Huawei          - Input 100-240V AC @ 0.2A (so 200mA)

                      - Output 5V DC - 1A

Apple iPhone - Input 100-240V AC @ 0.15A (so 150mA)

                      - Output 5V DC - 1A

22awg has a rating of about 7A, so yeah, ensure it's mains rated for insulation and you SHOULD be ok!

The 18AWG power cord coming into the project box will branch off to both the 5V PSU and the relay which will be switching the hot side of the lights (neutral will always be connected)

I don't know the current of the combined LED lights but they are 8 or so 12V automotive LED lights that are rated at 12V / 1.5W each and wired up in what I assume is series since the voltage coming out of the current timer is 120VAC and the individual fixtures appear to just be the wire connected to the bulb socket

The lights are in fixtures that are mounted on the support posts around the porch

The wire going to (and between) the lights looks like 18AWG lamp cord which was originally powering 12V incandescent bulbs of a similar brightness to the current LED lights

I actually did find a spec sheet after posting the question, http://shop.cpu.com.tw/product/48432/info/

From what I can gather it uses 0.0273A under full load conditions with a 20A surge/inrush current..

I have some stranded 18AWG wire from a broken 3-speed ceiling fan switch

Could I remove some of the copper wire strands after/during stripping to make it 20AWG?

I wouldn't trust such a $3 power supply anyway, and it might be violating legislation in your country anyway to do this. However if you do proceed (not advised), do make sure that the NodeMCU's USB port is not accessible to the outside world in case something goes wrong with your supply.

Are you referring to the power supply being illegal or placing the project into an electrical box?

If it's the latter, the electrical box wouldn't be mounted inside the wall but rather used solely as a project box.

As far as location, I'm in the United States — Wisconsin

Hi Daniel,

Where in WI?

John

Chippewa Falls, WI

Wausau, WI

I'm expecting a group photo:

There are 86.31 miles from Chippewa Falls to Wausau and 89.65 miles by car.

Chippewa Falls and Wausau are 1 hour 25 mins far apart (by car).

I was just looking for reinforcements for the next time D_Hersey decides to invade Wisconsin with his profound rhetoric.

Also

Wausau is a really great place with lots to see. I used to go there once a week when I was repairing dental equipment for a living.

John