Wrap (Coil Wraps) – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

A wrap (or coil wrap) is a single complete loop of resistancewire that forms part of a vaping coil. Each 360-degree turn of wire around a coiling rod, screwdriver or drill bit counts as one wrap. The total number of wraps determines the coil’s electrical resistance, surface area and heating characteristics, making it a fundamental concept in rebuildable atomisers (RDAs, RTAs, RDTAs). By altering the wrap count, Australian vapers can fine-tune their wattage sweet-spot, vapour temperature and flavour intensity without changing the wire type or wicking material.

Technical Details

Wrap count is inversely proportional to resistance: more wraps = higher resistance (Ω) because the electrical path is longer. Typical micro-coils use 5–10 wraps of 24–28 AWG Kanthal A1 around a 2.5–3 mm rod, yielding 0.3–1.2 Ω depending on Diameter“>inner diameter and wire composition. Spacing between wraps (a “spaced coil”) evens out heat and reduces hot-spots, whereas a contact coil (wraps touching) heats faster and produces denser vapour. Dual-coil builds halve the total resistance, so each coil usually has one extra wrap to compensate. Advanced variants include clapton wraps, where a secondary wire is wrapped around a core wire, increasing surface area without significantly altering resistance.

Usage & Tips

Always count wraps before installation; a one-wrap error can drop your resistance below safe wattage limits. Use ceramic tweezers to squeeze and strum contact coils while pulsing at 15–20 W to eliminate hot-spots. If resistance jumps or tastes metallic, check for loose screws or over-tightened wire posts that deform wraps. For beginners, 6-wrap 26 AWG Kanthal on 3 mm ID is forgiving and usually lands near 0.6 Ω—ideal for 25–40 W on a Mod“>regulated mod. Remember that warranty does not cover mis-wrapped coils; test resistance on an Ohm Reader”>ohm reader before vaping.

History & Context

The term “wrap” entered the Australian vaping lexicon around 2010 when early adopters moved from factory cartomisers to rebuildable dripping atomisers. As sub-ohm culture grew, precise wrap counts became a badge of craftsmanship, spawning countless YouTube tutorials and coil-building competitions still popular today.