I'm making a sequenced rocket launcher. I want to apply 5 amps for 3 seconds through a 12 inch run of 24 gauge wire.
Since the launcher has four slots, I figured I could use cat5 ethernet cable. This bundles the necessary 4 pairs of wires nicely and is color-coded and conveniently available. Since each ignition will have its own circuit, each 24 gauge pair will only see the surge once.
Is the 5 amp surge going to be too much for the 24 gauge wire in the cat5 cable? From examining tables like these (http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm) I know that my current requirement is about 10 times the limit for 24 gauge wire. Max current is further degraded by the wires being bundled. However, I can't find good data on acceptable surge limits.