Its stability and effectiveness in conducting electricity cannot be closely compared to aluminum wires or any other material, giving copper the best output when talking about efficiency in power, next to silver. Copper WireĬopper wires are extensively used in modern houses and infrastructures due to the wire’s great conductibility and stability. This may help you decide what to choose for your sub-panel installation and also provide additional information that you may use for future electrical servicing. Sacrificing a little bit of efficiency for the purpose of economical gain may be a tough call but a worthy shot.įor the purpose of comparison, here are the characteristics of copper and aluminum wires. copper wire vs aluminum wireĭue to abundance, the use of aluminum wire, although less conductive, is widely accepted because it offers a cheaper cost, unlike copper wire. Bigger infrastructures, including electrical posts, use aluminum wires instead of copper.Īside from fire safety, infrastructure owners also take into consideration the economical aspect when choosing the right type of materials for their wiring system.

Most houses use copper wires for wiring installations, including sub-panels and other electrical components.

Most manufacturers put labels on wire coatings or insulation indicating the material’s type and gauge. Choosing the Right Wireĭepending on your preference, you may choose wires that you think will suit your project with respect to safety and fire hazard. Read more: Ideal Wire Size for a 60 Amp Sub Panel. Knowing this aspect or property of wire can save you or your appliances from electrical damage, especially short circuits or even fire. The smaller the number, the thicker the wire will be and vice versa.īy that, we can say that the thicker the wire, the more amperage a wire can support and deliver. Gauge simply describes the thickness of the wire through numbers. Many newbies or students without experience or advanced knowledge may miss these easily and cause serious damage to appliances and or components.Īmerican Wire Gauge (AWG) is the standard when measuring wire sizes. The size of the wire you will use will also differ depending on what particular electrical installation or servicing you will be doing.īefore reading wire sizes, it is important to know the basic technicalities of electrical installations. For example, you may use a 10 AWG or American Wire Gauge for a 30 amp appliance, and a size 8 AWG for a 45 amp device. Note: View additional wire size charts from the list below.Wiring size requirements differ per amp rating of the circuit. Wire Size Chart and Maximum Amp Ratings Source: NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, Table 310.15(B)(16) SIZE Such as wire, tools, extension cords, and accessories. Search Amazon for your Electrical products The wire size chart below shows allowable ampacities of insulated conductors rated up to and includingĢ000 Volts, 60☌ through 90☌ (140☏ through 194☏), not more than three current-carryingĬonductors in raceway, cable, or earth (directly buried), based on ambient air temperature of 30☌ (86☏).

The number of devices connected to the circuit usually determines how much current will flow through the wire. It is important to pick the correct size of wire so that the wire doesn't overheat. Limit that a wire can handle before damage occurs. Each wire size, or wire gauge (AWG), has a maximum current

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