What Gauge Wire For 50 Amp 220v?

Upgraded Home Team
by Upgraded Home Team
Electrical wiring can be a complicated process, and if you get something wrong, disaster could ensue. Wire gauge sizes vary based on amperage and voltage. Whether it be copper or aluminum, let’s take a look at the correct wire gauge for 50 amps or 220 volts.

It is crucial to ensure that wiring is appropriately sized for the amperage rating of the circuit. Whenever you need to extend a circuit, rewire it, or install a new one, using the correct gauge wire is essential. So, that being said, what gauge of wire would you use for a 50 amp 220v?

Copper wire requires that you use a 6 AWG at 50 amps. For aluminum wire, use 4 AWG at 50 amps. It is important to use the correct wire gauge so you don’t pull too much current.

This article will talk more about the gauge of a wire and how that matters for the amps you have in your circuit. Furthermore, we’ll tell you what gauge of wire you need for a 50 amp 220v and the whys behind it.

Related Content: Can A 10-Gauge Wire Handle 40 Amps? | What Wire Size For 100 Amp Sub Panel That’s 200 Feet Away? | What Gauge Wire For A Dishwasher? | How To Change A Circuit Breaker From 15 To 20 Amp

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About Gauges And Wires

Several factors are used when selling wire. One of these factors is gauge. The gauge can also be referred to as American Wire Gauge, or AWG.

The American Wire Gauge is the standardized system for measuring gauge. This is a measurement of the wire measured from high to low. It may seem a little backward, but a higher number notes a smaller wire size.

Sizes of gauge wire commonly include:

  • 2
  • 6
  • 8
  • 10
  • 12
  • 14

The exact sizing of the wire is crucial for circuit breakers. The sizing can help establish the amount of current that can flow through the breaker. It can also help establish the amount of resistance.

Video: Electrical Wires & Breakers Sizes

The Importance Of Wire Gauge

Circuit breakers or fuses are designed to sense when the current is overloaded. They will trip or blow before the wire can overheat too much. So they offer adequate protection against overloading and overheating wires.

The protection circuit breakers and fuses give are not foolproof. So you still need to protect against going over the amperage rating of a circuit.

Dangerous Of Not Using The Correct Gauge

If an appliance or device tries to draw more power on a circuit than the wire gauge is rated for, this could cause a dangerous situation. If the breaker does not operate properly, the appliance or device will draw more current than the wires can handle. This could lead to the wires heating the insulation to the point of melting and possibly igniting surrounding materials.

However, it is acceptable to plug an appliance or device into a circuit with heavier gauge wires and higher amperage ratings. The circuit will merely draw the power requested by the device and no extra.

The most significant danger lies in the use of a household extension cord. When an extension core that has a 16 gauge wire is used for a heater or other type of heating appliance, it is highly likely to cause a fire.

How To Read Labels

The wires will often be purchased in cable. However, to purchase the correct product, you will need to know how to read the labels properly.

The non-metallic cable has labels on the outer sheathing, giving you the gauge of the wires and the wire materials. It will also tell you the maximum voltage rating, the number of wires inside the cable, and if there is a ground wire present.

There are several things you may see when looking at a cable. The first is the AWG of the wire. If it is a six gauge wire, it will read “6.”

About Abbreviations

You may also see an additional number. Although you may not always see this extra number, it stands for the number of service wires or conductors in the cable when you do. It will read either “6-2” or “6/2”.

Another thing you may see is “G” or “w/G.” This means the cable comes with a ground wire. This does not count toward the total number of wires already listed on the label.

Abbreviations will represent wire material such as “CU” for copper and “AL” for aluminum.

Other Aspects To Consider

When choosing your wire, there are other aspects to consider. These include the length of the wire and the material. You will also need to take into consideration whether you need a solid or stranded wire and a voltage drop.

Length Of The Wire

It is possible you may need a larger wire size. You will need to go to the next larger wire size if the following is true:

  • Your run is over 100 feet
  • The wire is inside a conduit
  • The wire is ganged with other wires, and heat dissipation may be limited.

Wire Material-Non-Metallic Cable

The non-metallic cable is the most common type of wiring used in homes. This type of wiring is commonly called “Romex” after the brand name.

A new non-metallic cable will contain two or more insulated conducting wires. There is also usually a bare ground wire. The wires will also be in a flexible plastic jacket and may be wrapped in paper.

Common wire material includes the following:

  • Copper
  • Brass
  • Silver

If you are using a wire made from a different material than the ones listed above, you may need a different size.

Wire Material-Aluminum

Sometimes aluminum wires are used. Aluminum wires are less common than copper wires and also vary in requirements. Aluminum wires are less conductive than copper wires and have a lighter weight.

Aluminum wiring was once a popular choice. But because of under load, it had a more significant expansion profile. This would often cause wire connections to loosen, and sometimes electrical fires would start.

Solid Or Stranded Wire

The wire will either be stranded, or the wire will have a solid copper conductor. The stranded wire is a better choice for installations using a metal conduit. In this case, if the conduit has many bends, the solid wire won’t pull as easily.

If you need to secure wire under screw terminals, then solid is the best choice. In regular usage, the wire conductor in a conduit will be a solid copper conductor.

Voltage Drop

Wire resistance generally causes a voltage drop. There is more resistance, the smaller the wire size. So when you calculate a circuit, you will need to note the voltage drop.

The Importance Of The Correct Wire Size

You will want to make sure you have selected the correct wire. It is acceptable to use a larger gauge than needed. While not dangerous, it may be a pain since the larger wire is generally heavier and stiffer.

On the other hand, it is hazardous to use a gauge that is smaller than needed. This could lead to the wire, possibly overheating and melting. If this happens, it could lead to damage to the appliance or breaker. It may even start a fire.

Should I Hire A Professional Or Do It Myself?

What it comes down to when choosing and installing gauged wires is safety. Therefore, if you don’t feel confident that you know what you’re doing or unsure, it may be better if you called in a professional. Hiring a professional will ensure that you get the correct gauge size for your wire.

Cost To Hire A Professional

Wiring or rewiring a circuit can cost a pretty penny. To hire an electrician to do this, you will pay anywhere between $540 and $2,200. This covers the cost of materials as well as the labor fees.

Check Your Local Laws

Something else you may want to consider is checking your local laws around doing electric work yourself. Some jurisdictions require you to hire a professional. Instead of taking chances to be met with a hefty fine and the requirement to hire a professional anyway, check before you start your project.


Related Questions

Can you use an eight gauge wire for 50 amps?

Yes, an eight gauge wire can handle 50 amps. A gauge wire of 8 AWG can carry a maximum of 70 amps in free air. The same wire can have 50 amps as part of a three-conductor cable.

Can I put a 50 amp breaker in a 100 amp sub panel?

Yes, you can put a 50 amp breaker in a 100 amp subpanel. As long as the amperage used in the breaker does not exceed the subpanel’s amperage, you should be fine to use it.

Can you use an eight gauge dryer wire?

Dryers generally have a 30 amp circuit. These wires are thick to accommodate this size circuit. The minimum wire sized required is 10 gauge. A larger wire, generally an eight gauge, is necessary for a circuit that runs 15 feet to the dryer. However, you should check with your local building department for exact wiring requirements.

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What Did We Learn?

The gauge of wire you use for a 50 amp 220v circuit will depend on the type of wire you’re using. You will want to use a six gauge for a copper wire, while for an aluminum wire, you will want to use a four gauge. Regardless, you’ll want to ensure you use the correct gauge to bypass any potentially dangerous problems later on.

Make sure you call your local authorities to see if electrical work is something you can do on your own. Also, check to see if you need any permits. Some areas require you to hire a professional, so it’s a good idea to find that out before starting your project.

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Upgraded Home Team
Upgraded Home Team

We are a team of passionate homeowners, home improvement pros, and DIY enthusiasts who enjoy sharing home improvement, housekeeping, decorating, and more with other homeowners! Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance or the cost of installing a fence, we've here to help.

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