6 Gauge Wire Amps: One Wire Size Fits Many Applications

The wire gauge is selected based on the details of the NEC Code. 6 AWG wire is used in different applications, such as lighting systems and hot tub installations. Gauge wire is also used in marine and residential load industries and for applications where medium-sized wire is used to deliver power without losses. Here, we will learn about the different features of 6-gauge wire amps.

What Are Wire Gauges?

• The wire gauge defines wire thickness. Each gauge has a certain number; a small number means the wire is thick, and a higher number means the wire is thin.

• The AWG is a standard technique for measuring and finding cable thickness used in the USA for conductive wires. It defines a gauge for solid conductors that have a composition of non-ferrous materials.
• The wire thickness has the effect of different properties of wire, such as resistance and current-carrying capacity, that help to find accurate wire for certain uses.
• The AWG has a small number for larger wire diameters. The diameter is calculated through a cross-section of the copper part of the wire.
• The 6 AWG wire is larger for use purposes; it can handle 55 amps, and the maximum can handle 60 amps.
• The heavy-gauge wire will have high amps.

Here are wire gauges showing different wire sizes.

4-gauge:

• The 4-gauge wire is used for 240-volt HVAC instruments that use 60 amps.

6-gauge:

• It is used for 24-volt stops that use 40 to 50 amps.

8-gauge: 

• It is used for 240-volt devices that use 30 to 40 amps.

10-gauge:

• The 20-volt clothes dryer, water heater, and AC system use about 30 amps.

12-gauge:

• This wire is used in the kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor receptacles where 120 volts are used, and a 120-volt AC system uses 20 amps.

14-gauge:

• The 120-volt lighting and receptacles light fixtures 1 4-gauge that uses a maximum of 15 amps of current

16-gauge:

• Light-duty 120-volt extension cords use this wire for drawing 13 amps.

18-gauge:

• Low voltage using lights and lamp cords that work on 10 amps uses 18-gauge wires.

6 AWG Wire Specifications

• The 6 AWG wire is 6-gauge wire made with the use of solid copper, and its dimensions are
• The cross-sectional area of 6 AWG wire is 13.30 mm² or 0.0206 in².
• The diameter of 6 AWG wire is 4.11 mm or 0.162 inches.

6-gauge wire materials

Aluminum 6 Gauge Wire:

• The aluminum wire is lightweight as compared to copper but has high electrical resistance. The thickness of 6-gauge aluminum wire is higher but has a low weight.

Copper Clad Aluminum 6 Gauge Wire:

• In the type of 6 AWG wire, there is an aluminum core used and cladding made with copper. that are lower weight than copper but have good conductivity as compared to aluminum wires.

Stranded 6 Gauge Wire:

• This wire comes with many thin wires in place of a single solid wire, and that makes it easy to handle. Since these wires are stranded, these wires come with high diameters as compared to solid copper wires.

Tinned-stranded copper wires:

• The tinned stranded copper wires are different from tinned, providing high resistance to corrosion. These wires are used in lighting systems and marine uses. This type of 6 AWG wire has a thick diameter as compared to solid copper wires. Such as the diameter of tinned stranded 6-gauge copper wire is 5.2 mm, and solid copper wire 6 AWG has a diameter of about 4.1 mm.

What is the ampacity of a 6 AWG wire?

The ampacity of 6 AWG gauge wire for copper wire and aluminum wire is seen here.

 

Ampacity for 6 AWG copper

• • 6 AWG Copper 60°C 55 Amps
  • 6 AWG Copper 75°C: 65 Amps
  • 6 AWG Copper 90°C: 75 Amps
• The ampacity of the wire decreases if the cable is bundled with other cables or put in high-temperature conditions. The normal 6 AWG copper wire in different circuits is 55 to 65 amps. That can handle 55 amps, 60 amps, and 65 amps.

Ampacity for 6 AWG copper
60°C	55 Amps
75°C	65 Amps
90°C	75 Amps

Ampacity of 6 AWG aluminum wire

The aluminum 6 AWEG wire ampacity is as according to NEC.

• • 6 AWG Aluminum = 60°C = 40 Amps
  • 6 AWG Aluminum 75°C = 50 Amps
  • 6 AWG Aluminum with 90°C = 55 Amps
• The aluminum wire has low ampacity as compared to copper since it has low conductivity. But the terminal’s rating is the same as copper wire. According to temperature, choose an ampacity; like for 90 degrees, we’ll be different as compared to 60°C or 75°C. 
• The basic ampacity of 6 AWG aluminum wire is 40-50 amps.

The ampacity of 6 AWG aluminum wire
60°C	40 Amps
75°C	50 Amps
90°C	55 Amps

American wire gauge Chart

AWG	Diameter
			Ampacity at temperature rating
			60 °C	75 °C	90 °C
	(in)	(mm)	(A)
0000 (4/0)	0.4600	11.68	195	230	260
000 (3/0)	0.4096	10.405	165	200	225
00 (2/0)	0.3648	9.266	145	175	195
0 (1/0)	0.3249	8.251	125	150	170
1	0.2893	7.348	110	130	145
2	0.2576	6.544	95	115	130
3	0.2294	5.827	85	100	115
4	0.2043	5.189	70	85	95
5	0.1819	4.621
6	0.162	4.115	55	65	75
7	0.1443	3.665
8	0.1285	3.264	40	50	55
9	0.1144	2.906
10	0.1019	2.588	30	35	40
11	0.0907	2.305
12	0.0808	2.053	20	25	30
13	0.072	1.828
14	0.0641	1.628	15	20	25
15	0.0571	1.45
16	0.0508	1.291	12	16	18
17	0.0453	1.15
18	0.0403	1.024	10	14	16
19	0.0359	0.912	—	—	—
20	0.032	0.812	5	11	—
21	0.0285	0.723	—	—	—
22	0.0253	0.644	3	7	—
23	0.0226	0.573	—	—	—
24	0.0201	0.511	2.1	3.5	—
25	0.0179	0.455	—	—	—
26	0.0159	0.405	1.3	2.2	—
27	0.0142	0.361	—	—	—
28	0.0126	0.321	0.83	1.4	—
29	0.0113	0.286	—	—	—
30	0.01	0.255	0.52	0.86	—
31	0.00893	0.227	—	—	—
32	0.00795	0.202	0.32	0.53	—
33	0.00708	0.18	—	—	—
34	0.0063	0.16	0.18	0.3	—
35	0.00561	0.143	—	—	—
36	0.00500	0.127	—	—	—
37	0.00445	0.113	—	—	—
38	0.00397	0.101	—	—	—
39	0.00353	0.0897	—	—	—
40	0.00314	0.0799	—	—	—

6 AWG Wire Maximum Amp Load

• The amperes for 6 AMP wire are not based on the current-carrying features of 6-gauge wire. If the wire has an ampacity of about 65 amps, that does not mean 6-gauge copper wire at 75°C (167°F) handles current in a safe way.
• But 80 percent wire maximum ampacity is used. For example, the 6-gauge copper cable having a rating of 65 amps can handle a maximum load of 52 amps according to the 80 percent rule.

Maximum Amp Load = 65 x 0.8 = 52 Amps.

Max. Amp Load of 6 AWG Copper Wire

• 55 Amps x 0.8 = 44 Amps 60°C/140°F:
•  65 Amps * 0.8 = 52 Amps, for 75°C/167°F:
•  75 Amps x 0.8 = 60 Amps. @90°C/194°F:

Max. Amp Load of 6 AWG Aluminum Wire 

• 55 Amps x 0.8 = 32 Amps 60°C/140°F:
•  65 Amps * 0.8 = 40 Amps, for 75°C/167°F:
•  75 Amps x 0.8 = 44 Amps. 90°C/194°F:
• So we can find that copper wire handles a 60-amp load for 90 degrees Celsius.

6 AWG Length Effect on Ampacity

• The ampacity of wire and length are inversely proportional to each other. If there is a 50-foot increase in length, the capacity will reduce to 10 percent. In a circuit where we are using 6-gauge wire of 100 feet for 60 degrees Celsius or 140 degrees Fahrenheit, the ampacity of the wire will be as

Ampacity = 55 * 0.8 / 1.2 = 36.66 Amps.

• Here we have made a table for finding the ampacity of 6-gauge wire based on lengths.

Wire length	60 degrees Celsius	75 degrees Celsius	90 degrees Celsius
Default	55.00	65.00	75.00
80% rule	44.00	52.00	60.00
50-feet	40	47	55
100-feet	37	43	50
150-feet	34	40	46.1
200-feet	31	37.1	42.8

6 Gauge Wire Cables: 6/2 Wire, 6/3 Wire, and 6/4 Wire

• 6/2 Wire, comes with two wire conductors and one ground wire.
• 6/3 wire comes with 3 wire conductors and one ground wire.
• 6/4 wire comes with 4 wire conductors and one ground wire.

6-AWG ampacity in Free Air

• If we have aluminum and copper wire with same thickness then aluminum wire will have high resistance and low ampacity. If both wire comes with same weight aluminum wire is low weight and comes with low resistance and high ampacity
• Here we have shown ampacity of 6-gauge copper and aluminum wires in free air for different conditions..

Wire material	Ampacity (in amps)
	60 degrees Celsius	75 degrees Celsius	90 degrees Celsius
copper	80	95	105
aluminum	60	75	80

 Types of 6 AWG wire

THHN/THWN:

• This wire is used in conduit for indoor applications. It is also used for feeders and beach circuses. Such as it provides power from the main supply to the HVAC system.

XHHW:

• This wire is mostly used for conduits for residential also commercial wiring systems were high resistance is needed. It also used for branch circuits and feeders. it can used as a replacement for THHN/THWN; with main features for high heat resistance.

USE-2:

• It is used in underground services. It provides power supply from transformers service equipment.  6 AWG USE-2 is the main part of the service entrance. 

UF-B:

• It is used for direct burial without conduit. UF is used for direct burial applications to provide power to medium loads.

SER:

• It is used as a service entrance wire at homes and buildings. SER cables make a connection between the main power source with the inner distribution panel.

RHW: 

• 6 AWG RHH/RHW is the main part of damp points and is connected in conduit. Its uses are at basements and points where high moisture exists.

NM or Romex:

•  6 AWG Romex is used for home wiring where larger circuits are needed like oven wiring and ranges. 

MHF: 

• This wire make the connection between the power source and the electrical system at home.

Armored Cable) and MC (Metal Clad):

• 6 AWG armored wire is part of medium loads circuits for commercial buildings. 

How Many Watts Can A 6 Gauge Wire Handle?

• The watt used by any wire is measured with the use of this equation.

Power (P) = Amps x Volts

• Suppose we have a 120-volt household circuit where 6-gauge wire is used. The temperature conditions are 75°C. The highest allowed amps are 52 amps, and the voltage is 120 volts, so the wattage will be for 6-gauge wire.

6 AWG Watts = 52×120 = 6240 Watts

• Here you can see the watt value for 6-gauge wire at different volts with copper and aluminum conductors.

6 AWG Wire watts
Volts	Copper watts	aluminum Watts
12	624	480
24	1,248	960
110	5,720	4400
120	6,240	4800
220	11,440	8800
240	12,480	9600

Applications of 6-Gauge Wire

• The 6-gauge cable provides power to an electrical system where high current is needed.
• It is used for controlling high-amp loads like ovens, hot tubs, AC systems, lighting systems, and sub-panels.
• It is used for vehicle batteries and start circuits.
• It is also used for washing machines and dishwashers.

6 AWG Battery Cable vs. 6 AWG Welding Cable

• The welding cable and starter cable of the same gauge have the same copper materials.
• It can handle the same current for 12-volt and 24-volt circuits. The welding cable is highly flexible for handling bending and twidingts for welding devices, that work at high voltage (600V).
• Welding cables are best to use for complicated loops at starting cables.
• The welding cable comes with more sensitive threads than normal starting cables.

6 AWG Wire AMP Ratings Based on Distance

• The wire length for a certain distance is based on wire conductor, voltage, amps, and phases.
• The maximum distance for 6 AWG copper wire for 120 volts is 76 feet. The 240 volts will be over 154 feet. Here we have made a table for wire distance based on phases and losses.

6 Gauge Wire Vs 8 Gauge Wire

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