You would assume that the amount of current a 30-amp breaker can handle would be 30 amps, which is technically correct. How Many Amps Can a 30-Amp Breaker Handle? The thicker the wire gauge, the more expensive the wire becomes and the more difficult it is to install through the conduits for the wiring. Remember that there will be a trade-off in cost for futureproofing the electrical system this way. While this is not a reason to install a thicker wire in a circuit, it is a beneficial side effect. Using a larger wire will reduce the amount of heat build-up in the conductor as the current passes through it. Using a thicker wire gauge, you can add more outlets to the circuit and install a higher amperage breaker. You can use this strategy for the future expansion of the circuit should additional tamper-resistant outlets be needed. It is best to install a thicker gauge wire for the circuit in certain circumstances. The tripping of the breaker will occur even if the current flowing is well below the wire’s rating. The circuit breaker will still trip the circuit when the maximum current for the breaker is reached. Using a larger gauge wire rated for higher amperage than the circuit breaker is possible. We have discussed that using a wire gauge too small for the circuit breaker’s rated current can be dangerous, but what about the opposite end of the scale? What happens if the wire used in the circuit is too large for the circuit breaker? Related reading: 80 Amp Wire Size: Breaker & Wiring Gauge Guide What Happens if Wire Gauge is Too Large? This means that the voltage at the far end of the circuit will be lower than at the beginning, and it is important to compensate for this when wiring any electrical device or appliance. At a 100-foot distance, there will be some voltage drop. The correct wire gauge for a 30 amp circuit wire size with 100 feet of wire is 8 AWG (American Wire Gauge). This will help reduce voltage drops and ensure a safe installation. For the longer run, you’ll need a larger wire size to compensate for a voltage loss. What size wire for 30 amp breaker depends on the electrical load and voltage drop. What Gauge Wire for 30 amp 100 Feet Away? These minimum 30 amp wire size chart are safe for the current level flowing through the conductor. A 60-amp double-pole breaker requires a minimum of 6-gauge wire.A 40-amp circuit double-pole breaker requires a minimum of 8-gauge wire.A 30-amp single-pole and double-pole breakers require a minimum of 10-gauge wire.A 20-amp single-pole breaker requires a minimum of 12-gauge wire. A 15-amp single-pole breaker requires a minimum of 14-gauge wire.The correct wire gauge for each typical household circuit is as follows. A 12-gauge wire is safe up to 20 amps and should be used only on a circuit where the current will not exceed this value. This higher current can damage the thinner wire, melt the insulation, cause short circuits, electrical fires, and even lethal shock. Testing results on solid aluminum wires found that copper wires were more conducive to less heat, making them safer. The standards resulted from experimentation on the ampacity that wires of various thicknesses could withstand before being compromised. Your house’s electrical wiring code standards are there for excellent reasons. A larger breaker on a thinner wire will allow more current over the wire before tripping. The circuit breaker installed on a circuit is of a specific size to protect a certain wire gauge. You should not use a 30-amp circuit breaker on a 12-gauge wire. Can You Use a 30-Amp Breaker on a 12-Gauge Wire? In this circumstance, a 30-amp breaker with 10-gauge wire for the conductor would be the appropriate solution. This requirement is especially true if multiple devices are on the same circuit. These electrical appliances draw a substantial current, requiring a wire gauge capable of withstanding the current demand. These are the more power-hungry devices such as: The AWS or American Wire Standard indicates standards with minimum wire gauges that can be used safely on circuits with a specific ampacity.Ī 30-amp circuit intends to provide power to medium-sized appliances in the home. If the wire gauge is too small, the circuit breaker will not trip the circuit before the current overload damages the wire. The circuit breaker’s purpose is to interrupt the current flow before the excess current damages the conductor, resulting in a dangerous outcome. The sizing of circuit breakers is according to the wire gauge used in the circuit. While using a thicker gauge wire than this on a 30-amp circuit is possible, you should consider 10 gauge as the thinnest possible gauge. Conclusion What Wire Size for 30 Amp 240 Volt Circuitįor safety, the minimum wire gauge for use in a circuit with a 30-amp breaker is a 10-gauge wire.
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