Before using a 4,6 and 10-gauge wire you should know in detail how many amps these wires can handle and accordingly you should use the Gauge wires. Because if you use them to carry the electricity they cannot handle there may increase in the risk of the device getting damaged and many more. So this article will guide you about how many amps can a 4,6 and 10-gauge wire handle.
How many amps can a 4 gauge wire handle?
A 4 Gauge wire is capable of handling the amperage of up to 70 amps of electricity but it does not just depend upon the amperage because the temperature rating as well as the aluminum wires’ and copper wiring is also considered for handling the amps. There are different types of 4 gauge wires such as copper wire and aluminum wire. A 4 gauge aluminum wire is not able to conduct the same number of amps that a four-gauge copper wire is able to handle. The temperature rating of both types of wire is very different and the capability to conduct amps is also different.
The following table explains the different temperature readings for 4 gauge Copper and four gauge aluminum wires.
| Temperature rating | 140 degrees | 167 degrees | 194 degrees |
| 4 gauge copper | 70 | 85 | 95 |
| 4 gauge aluminum | N/A | 65 | 75 |
And according to the temperature rating, the different types of insulation are jacketed in the wires such as.
- At 140 degrees of temperature rating, the insulation is NM-B and UF-B.
- At 167 degrees of temperature rating, the insulation is of THW, THWN, SE, USE, and XHHW.
- At 194 degrees of temperature rating, the insulation is THWN-2, THWN, XHHW-2, USE-2.
- At 167 degrees of temperature rating, the aluminum wires are insulated by THW, THWN, SE, USE, and XHHW.
- At 194 degrees of temperature rating, the aluminum wires are insulated by XHHW-2, THHN, and THWN-2.
The following table explains the proper diameter, cross-section, and amps of the 4 gauge wire:
| 4 AWG wire diameter (in inches) | 0.2043 inches |
| 4 AWG wire diameter (in mm) | 5.189 mm |
| 4 AWG wire cross-section (in mm2) | 21.2 mm2 |
| 4 AWG wire amps (ampacity at 75°C) | 85 amps |
How many amps can a 6 gauge wire handle?
A 6 gauge wire is a hefty wire and it is not commonly used for residential appliances but they are mainly used in industrial and commercial appliances. it depends on the type the wire to handle a certain amount of electricity and different type handle a different amount of current as
- A 6 gauge copper wire is able to handle the amperage from 55 amps to 75 amps.
- A 6 gauge aluminum wire and copper-clad aluminum are able to carry the current of electricity from 40 amps to 55 amps.
The following table explains the proper diameter, cross-section, and amps of the 6 gauge wire:
| 6 AWG wire diameter (in inches) | 0.1620 inches |
| 6 AWG wire diameter (in mm) | 4.115 mm |
| 6 AWG wire cross-section (in mm2) | 13.3 mm2 |
| 6 AWG wire amps (ampacity at 75°C) | 65 amps |
This difference in the wires is because of having different insulation and temperature rating. The following table explains the amps chart of 6 gauge wire at maximum amp load according to the temperature:
| Wire Material | Max. Amp Load At 60°C (140°F) | Max. Amp Load At 75°C (167°F) | Max. Amp Load At 90°C (194°F) |
| 6 AWG Copper Wire | 44 Amps | 52 Amps | 60 Amps |
| 6 AWG Aluminum Wire | 32 Amps | 40 Amps | 44 Amps |
The following table explains the 6 gauge copper and Aluminum ampacity at different temperatures.
6 gauge copper wire:
| Ampacity At 60°C (140°F) | Ampacity At 75°C (167°F) | Ampacity At 90°C (194°F) |
| 55 Amps | 65 Amps | 75 Amps |
6 gauge aluminum wire:
| Ampacity At 60°C (140°F) | Ampacity At 75°C (167°F) | Ampacity At 90°C (194°F) |
| 40 Amps | 50 Amps | 55 Amps |
Voltage:
The following table explains how many watts the 6 gauge wire can handle at different volt:
| Voltage (V) | 6 AWG Copper Wire Wattage | 6 AWG Aluminum Wire Wattage |
| 12 Volts | 624 Watts | 480 Watts |
| 24 Volts | 1,248 Watts Or 1.248 kW | 960 Watts |
| 110 Volts | 5,720 Watts Or 5.72 kW | 4,400 Watts Or 4.40 kW |
| 120 Volts | 6,240 Watts Or 6.24 kW | 4,800 Watts Or 4.80 kW |
| 220 Volts | 11,440 Watts Or 11.44 kW | 8,800 Watts Or 8.80 kW |
| 240 Volts | 12,480 Watts Or 12.48 kW | 9,600 Watts Or 9.60 kW |
How many amps can a 10 gauge wire handle?
The 10 gauge wire is mainly used for larger appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioning units, washers, dryers, and water heaters.
- A 10 gauge wire is able to handle 30 amps of electricity with a temperature rating of 60 degrees.
If we compare the type 10 gauge wire of aluminum, if it is used for running electricity, they create an oxide layer on the surface of the wire and the oxide layer is a good resistor and will limit the capacity of aluminum conductors. But if the wires are thicker they can conduct the same level of electricity as copper wire.
The following table explains the proper diameter, cross-section, and amps of the 4 gauge wire:
| 10 AWG wire diameter (in inches) | 0.1019 inches |
| 10 AWG wire diameter (in mm) | 2.588 mm |
| 10 AWG wire cross-section (in mm2) | 5.26 mm2 |
| 10 AWG wire amps (ampacity at 75°C) | 35 amps |
The following table explains the temperature rating according to the type of wire.
| Wire type | 60° C | 75° C | 90° C |
| 10 gauge copper | 30 amps | 35 amps | 40 amps |
| 10 gauge aluminum | 25 amps | 30 amps | 35 amps |
The insulation jacketed in the wire also plays a role to maintain the temperature which is created when the current is flowing through the wires such as
- Insulation Like Polyethylene, neoprene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, and polyethylene is used for 90° C or less.
- For 125°C or less temperature rating, insulation such as polyvinyl chloride PVC irradiated nylon, Kynar polyethylene, and thermoplastic Elastomer are used.
- For 200° C or less temperature rating, insulation such as Kapton, PTFE, FEP, PFA, and silicone are used.
Conclusion:
You should always get consult with the electrician to get information about which wire to be used, how many amps of gauge wire to use. if you use a different wire which doesn’t support the current of electricity then the wire will start to melt with the increase in temperature, and the appliances that are connected to the wire there is also a risk that they will get damaged and will catch fire.
Talking about the Website, I was Very Fond of Electronics from a very small age and my love for it grew as time passed. I then Opted for Electronics as a subject in the College along with Research on my own.
I then decided to share my Gathered Knowledge with you guys, So that it can help you too for Making Decisions and Solving Problems.
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