To achieve this, you make use of a 3 awg wire.Ī 3 gauge wire can handle a 60 amp breaker with a sub panel 150 ft away. So to wire a 60 amps breaker with a sub-panel 150 feet away, you will need a wire that can withstand 97.5 amps. To achieve this, we should multiply 75 amps by 1.3. This implies that we should increase the amps by 30%. Now, we already know from the 80% breaker rating rule that a 60 A breaker will require a wire that can handle at least 75 amp, we should now apply the voltage drop law to see the outcome.Īccording to the law, the voltage drops by 20% in every 100 feet of wire. Let us use one example so that you will understand how to use the voltage drop law to determine the wire size.Įxample: What is the 60 amp wire size when a sub panel is 150 feet away? Here is the formula: Power (Watts) = Current (Amps) × Voltage (Volts) This implies that in every 100 feet of wire, we should increase the amps by 20% to maintain the same power output. The actual percentage loss may vary depending on the type of wire used such as aluminum wire, copper wire or steel, but you must observe the rule. This is to make sure you don’t use a 4 wire gauge when you suppose to use a 3 awg wire.įor every 100 feet of wire, the voltage drops by 20%. If the length of the wire connecting your 60 amp breaker is up to 100 or 150 feet, consider applying this nec code. This law is not for short distance wiring, it is for lengthy wiring of about 100 feet and above. This is what those homeowners that use a 6 gauge wire size on a 60 amp don’t understand. The wire can carry up to 85 amp, meaning that it can handle 75 amp. If you check from the wire gauge chart above, you can see that the correct wire size that can handle 75A is 4 awg wire. This implies that for you to wire a 60A circuit breaker, you must need a wire that can handle a minimum of 75 amp. The size of the wire required to carry 60 amp 220v is 80% of the wire size you need. Let’s assume we want to determine the wire size for 60 amp circuits. This rule is important in wire sizing as it guarantees electrical safety. So when choosing a wire size for any breaker, always consider the ampacity of the wire and its ability to withstand high voltage without melting.Īlso, follow the NEC guidelines for selecting a wire size for your breaker. The correct wire size for the 60 amp breaker is the 4-gauge wire. Wire gauge chart AWG NumberĪlthough some people use 6-gauge wire for 60 amp wiring, it is never the right wire gauge. There are a total of 40 different wire sizes and gauges ranging from 0.013 mm 2 to 107.22 mm 2. Lower awg numbers indicate a larger wire size and this carries more current and also has more resistant power. The higher the awg numbers, the smaller the wire size and its ampacity (amount of current it can carry). This is the standard method used to measure wire sizes by assigning AWG numbers to them. Using the wrong wire size can also lead to more voltage drops and damage to electrical appliances. If you use a wire that is too small, it cannot withstand the current meant for the breaker leading to overheat and fire hazard. Using the right wire size on a 60 amp breaker is important for safety and efficiency. Importance of using the right wire size on a 60 amp circuit Using the wrong wire size, say 6 awg, may lead to poor conduction and electrical fire. The normal size wire for a 60 amp breaker 4 AWG copper wire or a 3 AWG aluminum wire. It is measured using the American Wire Gauge (AWG). A 60 amp wire is an electrical wire that can handle up to 60 amp current without overheating, or causing electrical hazards.
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