What Size Wire For 220 Volt 15 Amp

Whether you have a 30 amp or a xl amp breaker, wire size is important. Here'due south how to decide what size wire yous demand for your billow.

Wire is sold based on several factors. The most important part that volition be covered here is the gauge, sometimes referred to as AWG (American Wire Gauge).

Gauge is a measurement of a wire, specifically its bore. AWG is the standardized system of this measurement. Wire gauge is measured from high to low with higher numbers significant a smaller wire size.

Precise wire sizing is essential for circuit breakers as it helps make up one's mind how much electrical current tin flow through it and how much resistance it has. The chart below will tell you approximately what wire size is needed for the amount of power that will exist running through the line.

Please notation that the data inside this article is intended simply as full general guidelines. For any questions, always consult a certified electrician, every bit well equally your local electric codes.

Wire Size Ampacity Nautical chart

In the chart below, we outline what gauge wire y'all need for the maximum amperage, or forcefulness, of the electrical current. Note that the gauge tin can sometimes vary between aluminum and copper wires. Below is the gauge size based on the more than usually used copper wires.

Maximum Amps	7	10	15	twenty	30	40	55	70	95
Estimate (Wire Size)	eighteen	xvi	14	12	10	8	6	4	2

Here are some more details well-nigh some of the more popular amperage sizes. Remember that when you lot utilise an apparatus, always cheque the amp requirements first. Y'all can calculate this by dividing Watts by Volts.

x AMP Wire Size

For a maximum of 10 amps, you lot'll need a wire gauge of sixteen. Common appliances that crave around ten amps include: a toaster, a hair dryer, a vacuum cleaner, a radiator, a washing motorcar, a dishwasher, and a refrigerator.

30 AMP Wire Size

For a maximum of 30 amps, y'all'll demand a wire guess of x. The most common household item that requires a 30 amp circuit is a central air conditioner.Frequently, people living in RVs utilise xxx, and sometimes 50, amp systems to run all the appliances in the vehicle.

40 AMP Wire Size

For a maximum of 40 amps, you'll need a wire guess of eight. Many electric cooking appliances require 40 amps such equally electric cooktops.

50 AMP Wire Size

For a maximum of fifty amps, y'all'll need a wire gauge of 6. Fifty amp breakers are most often used to power many different appliances. However, a kitchen oven tin alone require 50 amps. Many electric dryers also require a 50 amp breaker.

Reading Cable Labels

Yous'll oft buy wires in cable, simply it'south of import to know how to accurately read the production labels in social club to purchase the correct product. Hither's a quick await at what to remember:

First, you'll often see the AWG of the wire(south) in the cable. So for a xiv approximate wire, information technology will read "fourteen."
Next, you may see an additional number. This could read in either of these 2 formats: "14-2" or "xiv/2." This number signifies the amount of service wires or conductors in the cable.
Then you lot may encounter a "Yard" or "due west/G." Both mean that the cable comes with a ground wire, which does non count towards the full number of wires noted on the characterization already.

Excursion Breakers

When updating an appliance or air conditioner, it is important to determine the correct electric current draw.

If your circuit breaker is 20 amps, you lot cannot install a product that requires thirty amps. It is non as unproblematic as merely changing the excursion breaker. The wiring to the appliance also needs to be changed.

Although, when the opposite occurs, the solution is easier. For case, allow's say y'all were using an appliance that requires 30 amps. If you supervene upon this with a new appliance that only requires 20 amps, yous will need to alter the excursion billow and outlet receptacle — simply yous do non demand to change the wire.This is because a wire can safely behave less ability than information technology was rated for without whatever potential issues. Nonetheless, a wire cannot deport more power than it was rated for, otherwise it could get hot and create a fire hazard.

Other Aspects to Consider

Wire length:

Under sure circumstances a large wire size may be needed even if your amp requirement does non seem to justify it. Go to the next largest wire size if your run is more than 100 anxiety, within a conduit, or ganged with other wires where the heat dissipation may be inhibited. Equally with all electrical piece of work, consult a professional with any questions most special circumstances.

Wire material:

If you are using a wire that is not made of copper, brass or silver, y'all will want to check to see if you need a different size. Aluminum wires are much less common than copper ones, and they besides vary from them in requirements : They offer 61% of the conductivity of copper wires but accept but 30% of the weight of copper.

What Volition Happen With the Incorrect Size Wire?

It is incredibly dangerous to use a wire that has a smaller gauge than needed. The wire could overheat and melt. This could lead to breaker or appliance damage and be a burn risk.

Using a wire that has a larger gauge than needed is not dangerous. It can be an inconvenience, since a larger wire is usually heavier and stiffer, but it won't pb to any potential hazards.

Finding the correct wire size is an essential step to whatsoever electrical project or circuit breaker fix-up. Information technology's especially important to recall that it'due south about more than than just the number — call up to consider all the possible factors when it comes to wire approximate. The information in this article is only a guide — we highly recommend that yous consult with your electrician, and check your local and national electrical codes, before purchasing and installing wires.