How much 50 Amp Wire size should be for avoiding accidents?
50 Amp Wire Sizes will be different for aluminum and copper material. Also, one will get the different sizes for different temperatures and connectivity distances. Along with these, the wire size will not be the same for several voltage levels and several devices.
Whatever the purpose, one will have to select the right wire size if they want to avoid serious accidents. Moreover, even if the current is 50 amps, one will have to select the wire size considering the other factors as well. Looking for a more detailed illustration, one will have to scan the whole article properly.
50 Amp Wire Sizes
Whether one is using the wire directly at work or using it is as a charger, they will need to know the size. Whatever the situation, if one is working with electricity, they must be extremely careful. Because electricity is one of the most powerful elements in this universe that can even kill a human if anything goes wrong.
So one has to be serious, logical, and concentrate on electricity. Specifically, while selecting the weir, people have to choose the wire size and type according to the amp of electricity they will be working with. A less sized wire can get melted because of the heavy electricity flow inside it and the heat it produces.
One will never want to see a burned wire when they open the circuit barker of their gadget. They can always avoid this situation by using the right weir in the first place. For this, they must select the wire size according to the amp.
Specifically, the 50 amp plug has four prongs that can carry up to 1200 watts of electricity. One can use that type in residential and commercial use. Mainly, people use this type of plug to charge their electric vehicles. A 50 amp RV means it can charge the car at a fast rate by extracting the maximum electricity. So, it will need to be wide and long enough.
A 50 amp is compatible with 120v, 240v, and other options. So, the weir size will differ for different volts since they will have different watts. Also, the amount will vary according to the material of the weir. In the next section, we will see the wire size of 50 amp according to a different voltage level.
Table: 50 amp 120v single phase wire size
| Voltage | Distance | Wire Size for Copper | Wire Size for Aluminum |
| 120V | 50 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG |
| 75 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG | |
| 100 ft | 4 AWG | 3 AWG | |
| 200 ft | 2 AWG | 1/0 AWG | |
| 250 ft | 1 AWG | 2/0 AWG | |
| 300 ft | 1/0 AWG | 3/0 AWG |
The table above shows that 50 amp of 120v single phase will have a different range in AWG for different lengths and materials. Here 50 and 75 feet copper wire will have 6AWG, and aluminum will have 4 AWG. The rate of AWG will start decreasing with the growing distance of the wire.
Table: 50 amp 240v single phase wire size
| Voltage | Distance | Wire Size for Copper | Wire Size for Aluminum |
| 240V | 50 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG |
| 75 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG | |
| 100 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG | |
| 200 ft | 4 AWG | 3 AWG | |
| 250 ft | 4 AWG | 2 AWG | |
| 300 ft | 3 AWG | 1 AWG |
According to the table above, we can see that 50 amp of 240v single phase will have a different range in AWG for different lengths and materials. Here 50 and 100 feet copper wire will have 6 AWG, and aluminum will have 4 AWG. The rate of AWG will start decreasing with the growing distance of the wire.
Table: 50 amp 480v single phase wire size
| Voltage | Distance | Wire Size for Copper | Wire Size for Aluminum |
| 480V | 50 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG |
| 75 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG | |
| 100 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG | |
| 200 ft | 4 AWG | 3 AWG | |
| 250 ft | 4 AWG | 3 AWG | |
| 300 ft | 4 AWG | 2 AWG |
As illustrated in the table above, we can see that 50 amp of 480v single phase will have a different range in AWG for different lengths and materials. Here 50 and 100 feet copper wire will have 6 AWG, and aluminum will have 4 AWG. The copper has 4 AWG for 300 ft, and aluminum has 2 AWG, which is an eye-catchy difference.
Table:50A Three Phase 120V Wire Size
| Voltage | Distance | Wire Size for Copper | Wire Size for Aluminum |
| 120V | 50 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG |
| 75 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG | |
| 100 ft | 4 AWG | 3 AWG | |
| 200 ft | 2 AWG | 1/0 AWG | |
| 250 ft | 1 AWG | 1/0 AWG | |
| 300 ft | 1/0 AWG | 2/0 AWG |
From the table above, we can see that 50 amp or 120v three phases will have a different range in AWG for different lengths and materials. Here 50 and 75 feet copper wire will have 6 AWG, and aluminum will have 4 AWG. The rate of AWG will start decreasing with the growing distance of the wire.
Table:50A Three Phase 240V Wire Size
| Voltage | Distance | Wire Size for Copper | Wire Size for Aluminum |
| 240V | 50 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG |
| 75 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG | |
| 100 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG | |
| 200 ft | 4 AWG | 3 AWG | |
| 250 ft | 4 AWG | 3 AWG | |
| 300 ft | 4 AWG | 2 AWG |
As illustrated in the table above, we can see that 50 amp or 240v three phases will have a different range in AWG for different lengths and materials. Here 50 and 100 feet copper wire will have 6 AWG, and aluminum will have 4 AWG. The copper has 4 AWG for 300 ft, and aluminum has 2 AWG, which is an eye-catchy difference.
Table: 50A Three Phase 480V Wire Size
| Voltage | Distance | Wire Size for Copper | Wire Size for Aluminum |
| 480V | 50 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG |
| 75 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG | |
| 100 ft | 6 AWG | 4 AWG | |
| 200 ft | 4 AWG | 3 AWG | |
| 250 ft | 4 AWG | 3 AWG | |
| 300 ft | 4 AWG | 2 AWG |
The AWG or wire size for 50 amp 480v three-phase will be the same as the 240v three-phase wire. People can use the same wire in both situations without any worry.
What is the measurement of inches and millimeters of AWG?
One will be surprised to know that AWG even has a count of 0. Sometimes people get confused in this measurement and want to know the wire size in either inches or millimeters. So the measurement of AWG in inches and millimeters are,
Table: AWG in inches and millimeters
| AWG | Inches | Millimeters |
| 0000 | 0.46 | 11.68 |
| 000 | 0.4096 | 10.4 |
| 00 | 0.3648 | 9.266 |
| 0 | 0.3249 | 8.251 |
| 1 | 0.2893 | 7.348 |
| 2 | 0.2576 | 6.544 |
| 3 | 0.2294 | 5.827 |
| 4 | 0.2043 | 5.189 |
| 5 | 0.1819 | 4.621 |
| 6 | 0.162 | 4.115 |
| 7 | 0.1443 | 3.665 |
| 8 | 0.1285 | 3.264 |
| 9 | 0.1144 | 2.906 |
| 10 | 0.1019 | 2.588 |
| 11 | 0.09074 | 2.305 |
| 12 | 0.08081 | 2.053 |
| 13 | 0.07196 | 1.828 |
| 14 | 0.06408 | 1.628 |
| 15 | 0.05707 | 1.45 |
| 16 | 0.05082 | 1.291 |
| 17 | 0.04526 | 1.149 |
| 18 | 0.0403 | 1.024 |
| 19 | 0.03589 | 0.9116 |
| 20 | 0.03196 | 0.8118 |
What is the meaning of Gauge and AWG?
Well, the meaning of gauge and AWG are interrelated. Specifically, the gauge is the measurement of wire that we use to pass electricity. Any specific amp of electricity to any specific distance needs a specific gauge rating. Moreover, the AWG is the standard way to measure the size of the wire. AWG stands for American wire gauge, which is the measurement of wire.
Knowing the right number of AWG is important for the circuit barker. Otherwise, every time one tries to use the electric power, they will have burned or melted wire inside the circuit. Because a wire not suitable for any specific amps of current cannot take the flow and heat load.
How to calculate the wire size for 50 amp?
Calculating the correct wire size for 50 amp can be a work headache. One hating mathematics will have a nightmare because it is not something simple to find the size of the wire by doing maths. One will have to know the complicated formulation of measurement.
However, one can just simply follow the 80% rule of choosing wire for being on the safe side. The first one will need to find the wire ampacity for 50 amps.
Wire Ampacity for 50 Amps = 50A / (80/100) = 62.5A Wire
That means one will need 62.5A or 6 AWG wires for 50 amps. Moreover, the size of the wire depends on the distance, wire material, and some other factors. If one wants to calculate the measurements at an intense level, one can use the formula below.
For single-phase circuits:
Wire Circular Mils =
For 3-phase circuits:
Wire Circular Mils =
Will 50 amp wire size change with the device as like material?
The wire size of circuit breakers is not universal or set in stone. It will continue changing with the device, material, distance, voltage, amps, and even the temperature. So the answer to the question that does 50 amp wire size changes with the device is affirmative.
Let’s see some example devices with different wire sizes for 50 amps.
| Device name | Wire size |
| Air Conditioner | 12AWG |
| Generator | 6 to 10AWG |
| Heater | 10 to 4AWG |
| Welder | 8AWG |
| Electric Charger | 6 to 8AWG |
| Hot Tub | 6AWG |
| Stove | 6AWG |
| Electric Range | 6AWG |
| RV Hookup | 4AWG |
Here the Air conditioner of 50 amps will need a maximum of 12 AWG, and RV hookup will need a minimum which is 4 AWG. That means the RV will need the most powerful wire to operate on the list. Specifically, RV will need 5.189 mm wire. Meanwhile, Air conditioner will need 2.053 mm wire.
What is the relation between wire gauge, diameter, and current flow?
The relation between wire gauge, diameter, and current flow is pretty simple. They have reverse relation with each other. Specifically, if the gauge of the wire increases, the diameter of the wire decreases, which means if the wire has a high rate in AWG, it will be thinner in diameter. One can see the table AWG in inches and millimeters for justifying the statement.
Moreover, the amount of current flow will decrease if the gauge or AWG increases. If the wire has a higher AWG, that means it will be capable of carrying fewer amps.
What type of wire will be the best fit with 50 amps?
Normally, one will get two types of wire to select for their electric system. One is copper, and the other one is aluminum. Of all the materials, only copper and aluminum are good conductor. However, copper is better, and it has better conductivity compared to aluminum.
Because copper has superior tensile strength and thermal conductivity along with threshold level, for 50 amps circuit baker of 50 feet, one will need 6 AWG copper wire. However, one will need 4 AWG aluminum wires for the same measurement.
Conclusion
Knowing the right size of wire according to the amps is extremely necessary. If one chooses the wrong wire size, they will end up with low conductivity or burned and melted wire inside the circuit breaker.
As for 50 Amp Wire Sizes, it will be 6 AWG initially. However, the size will change according to the material type. Also, some other factors will change it. Therefore, one will have to be conscious while choosing the right wire size.