What Size Wire For 50 Amp Breaker?

Image of 50 amps double-pole circuit breaker:  source Lowes

Each circuit breaker that you install should be accompanied with the appropriate wire size. So, which is the right wire size for a 50 amp circuit breaker?

6 American Wire Gauge )6 AWG) is considered the perfect wire size for a 50 amp circuit breaker.

What is the driving force behind this size selection for the wire?  Can I use a smaller or larger wire size for this circuit breaker?

Read on as we break down the key reasons why  6 gauge is an ideal size. We will also expand more on how to select different types of wires and sizes for the 50 amps circuit breaker.

Are you planning to import 6-gauge wires wholesale in China?  We also have some clear tips that will help you.

Overview of a 50 Amps circuit breaker

Why is it called 50 Amp breaker because it is designed to handle the maximum current of 5 amperes.  Any current beyond the rated value will cause the circuit breaker to trip hence disrupting the flow of electric current to the target load or devices.

The tripping does more good than harm. It protects your appliances from risks of overcurrent which is likely to cause damages. It also protects the wire from overheating.

Generally, 50 amps is not a small value. This is high amounts of current that  runs powerful electric appliances such as stoves, water heaters, hot water tubs and even air conditioning systems.

Now that you know the importance and role of a 50 amp breaker, it is also prudent to know that it can operate efficiently only when connected to the 6 AWG wire.

6 Gauge wire overview

6 AWG is the American standard for measuring the diameter of the wire.  When using the normal measurements, 6 AWG is the equivalent of 0.162 inches, or simply 4.115 mm. You can verify this measurement using a screw gauge.

This wire size is quite popular both in domestic and even commercial applications. The fact that it has a capacity of up to 50 amps implies that it is able to serve a number of domestic appliances.

Think of those high-power appliances at your home such as heaters and cooking devices. Chances are their current rating is within 50 amps.

What does a 6 AWG wire look like?

When it comes to the physical attributes, this wire has a singular outlook to most wires within that size range.

It can have a single copper conductor or it may come in several strands.

Copper is preferred mainly due to its minimum electrical resistance, strength, and durability. Also, we cannot underscore the flexibility that comes with using copper conductors.

The outer insulation casing of a 6 AWG wire comprises of thermoplastic materials such as PVC though some cable manufacturers prefer the XLPE material.

Generally, 6 AWG is a wire that you can trust when it comes to 50 amps circuit breaker or any other breaker that is rated below 60 amps. After all, its maximum current-carrying capacity is 65 amps.

Check out the image below to have an idea of what I am talking about.

Image source Amazon

What does NEC recommend about 50 amps circuit breaker?

Probably you are wondering how we have come to a conclusion that 6 AWG is the right wire size  for a 50 amps circuit breaker.

Well, our first and probably primary source is the National Electric Code (NEC)  rules regarding the wire sizes for the circuit breakers.

The code clearly states that 6 AWG is ideal for the coper wire. If you are using aluminum wire, then you should go for the 4 AWG wire size for the 50 amps circuit breaker.

In all these wire sizes, NEC recommends that the length of the wire should not exceed 55 feet. Beyond this length then you will have to reconsider the length of the wire.

According to the NEC, there is a direct correlation between the wire size and the size of the circuit breaker installed. The more the amperage of the circuit breaker, the larger the wire size.

The NEC recommendations are not based on random numbers. Each amperage of the circuit breaker is matched with the recommended wire based on the various electronic calculations and formula.

Check out this table below for some glimpse on what you should expect on the wire size and circuit breaker amps.

Remember that when it comes to wire sizing, the smaller the number the larger the wire. This is why from the table a 2AWG wire is larger than an 18 AWG wire.

Other than the size of the wire, NEC also recommends the  type of insulation that should be used on wires connected to the circuit breaker.

You can always verify the information about the NEC wire size chart pdf from the internet whenever you are dealing with other sizes of circuit breakers.

Length of the wire for a 50 amps circuit breaker

At this point, you know the perfect wire size for a 50 amp circuit breaker-6-gauge wire.

Does the length matter even after I have chosen the right size of the wire?

When it comes to the length of the wire, two key parameters stand out; resistance and voltage drop.

An extension of the wire’s length by 100 feet will result in a 20% voltage drop across the circuit.

Failure to consider this factor could result in an insufficient supply of electric current to the load

This is why NEC recommends that your 6 AWG wire should not be more than 55 feet.

For example, if your wire is 200 feet, then you will have to reconsider the wire size. You will go for a #3 AWG or #4 AWG wire size to accommodate the extra length.

So, before you proceed with the connection of the wires to the circuit breakers, you should measure their length.

Copper vs Aluminum conductors for 50 amp circuit breaker

Beyond the size and length of the wires, you should be aware of the type of conductors used on the wires. Two common conductors used is copper and aluminum. While both are considered good electrical conductors, they have different properties, which will eventually affect their usability and even performance.

In terms of conductivity, copper is a better option. As a conductive material, it offers lesser electrical resistance than aluminum metal. This explains why it is widely used in most electrical wiring projects.

When it comes to conductivity, the issue of size will always arise. As we have already stated, for a 50 amps circuit breaker, you will use #6 AWG for copper wire and #4 AWG for aluminum wire.

The whole difference is based on their electrical conductivity. The fact that copper is a better conductor means that you will use a smaller wire size than aluminum wire.

The same properties apply to the lengths of the conductors. You will experience more voltage drops for every change in length on the aluminum wire than on the copper wire. This implies that the change in wire size will also be bigger for the aluminum wire than for the copper wire.

Meanwhile, we cannot ignore the other properties that separate copper vs aluminum wires as conductors. For example, aluminum wires are lighter than copper wires. This feature alone makes them the perfect choice for specific application areas.

If you want to save money, you will definitely buy 6-gauge aluminum wires. They are slightly cheaper than copper wires. However, copper wires are more versatile and durable than aluminum wires.

So, when it comes to creating connections from your 50 amps circuit breaker, you should focus your attention on the type of wire used.

Buying 6 AWG wires

Knowing the perfect wire size for your 50 amps circuit breaker is not enough. You still need to be smart when it comes to buying them.

Take your time to verify all the information and specification of the wire. It should be of the right size and quality.

For the size, you simply need to check on the insulator. The manufacturer should have labeled “6 AWG”.

The surest path to take is buying from reputable 6 AWG wire suppliers in China.

A good sourcing agent will verify the size ad quality of the wire before delivering it to your destination.

These agents have proven to be ideal for importers who buy 6 AWG wires in bulk. You simply need to contact the agent and everything else will work out smoothly.

Conclusion

At this point, you know that a 6-gauge wire is a perfect size for a 50 amps circuit breaker and if you are opting for the aluminum wire, you will have to go for the #4 AWG.

You have also learned how to buy the best 6 AWG for your application and wholesale.

I hope that you will apply this information for your benefit.

In case you need help, don’t hesitate to get help from professionals.

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