ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Circular mil

A circular mil is a way to measure the size of an electrical wire. Think of the wire like a piece of spaghetti. A circular mil is like one tiny piece of the spaghetti.

Electricians and engineers use circular mils to figure out how much electricity can flow through the wire without it getting too hot or causing problems.

Basically, the bigger the circular mil, the thicker the wire and the more electricity it can handle without breaking or getting too hot. Think of it like adding more spaghetti to your plate to make you feel fuller.

It's important to choose the right size wire based on the amount of electricity you're going to use, otherwise it could cause a safety hazard. So, that's why circular mils are important for keeping everyone safe when using electricity.