When selecting wire size, the amperage requirement isn’t the only consideration. Other Factors that Affect Required Wire Size The label may also have a “G” or “w/G” meaning the cable has a ground wire not included in the total wire count.

If the format is something like 10/2, there are two wires or conductors within the cable. For example, a 10 gauge wire will be labeled “10”. When you buy wire or cable, the product label will indicate the wire size in AWG. A #6 AWG wire supports a maximum of 50 amps. 40 Amp Wire Size: To power electric cooktops and most other electric cooking appliances, you’ll need a #8 AWG wire.įor breakers on an electrical panel that serve numerous appliances, such as in a kitchen, or an electric dryer, a 50 amp wire size is needed.30 Amp Wire Size: A #10 AWG wire is suited for a circuit powering an air conditioner or all appliances used in an RV.

10 Amp Wire Size: Use a #16 AWG wire for appliances such as toasters, dishwashers, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, or hair dryers.

Here is a look at these and what applications each is best suited for: There are a few common wire sizes used in homes. Using too large a wire gauge, with a higher rated amperage than the circuit breaker, can lead to a tripped circuit even if the load doesn’t exceed the wire’s rating. The breaker will allow too much current to flow and won’t trip even if the wire is compromised. Since a breaker is designed to interrupt current flow before the conductor is damaged, using too small a wire gauge can result in an overload. Why Does Wire Size Matter?Ĭircuit breakers are sized according to the wire gauge of the circuit. The lower the number, the thicker the diameter of the wire and the more power it can safely manage. Expressed as American Wire Gauge (AWG), this value ranges from 0 to 40 AWG. For example, a 30 amp wire size requires a different wire gauge than a 10 amp or 40 amp (A) wire size. But to determine the wire you need, you must know its gauge. The thicker the wire size, the more amperage it can handle. Electrical wires come in different sizes.

Wire size for 100 amp breaker