4 AWG or 6 AWG copper wire for 60A 2pole breaker?

[Vuong785]

Should I use 6AWG conductors for a 10’ run for the direct wired 60A breaker?

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[tmeyer3]

4AWG copper or 3AWG aluminum for 60a.

6AWG can certainly carry up to 65a, but you shouldn't exceed the .8 load standard, making 6AWG maximum standard is 65 * .8 = 52a max recommended for up to 100' runs.

If you were going beyond 100' run, then you'd have to go even larger than 4awg.

At least that's what a qualified electrician would do.

Hope that helps.

 

[CYBEAST]

Use 6 as recommended in the owners manual by Tesla. It will charge at the max rate of 48A. It doesn’t make sense on paper to the electricians but Tesla has it figured out.

 

[mongo]

Should I use 6AWG conductors for a 10’ run for the direct wired 60A breaker?

Depends on wire type:
Individual THHN/THWN-2 in conduit: 6AWG 90C
NM-B (Romex) cable: 4AWG 60C (4/2+G)
https://www.cerrowire.com/products/resources/tables-calculators/ampacity-charts/
https://www.tesla.com/sites/default...ng/Gen3_WallConnector_Installation_Manual.pdf

 

[Ward L]

I used 6 gauge and it meets code for reasonable distances. 4 gauge is very thick and hard to work with.

 

[HaulingAss]

4AWG copper or 3AWG aluminum for 60a.

6AWG can certainly carry up to 65a, but you shouldn't exceed the .8 load standard, making 6AWG maximum standard is 65 * .8 = 52a max recommended for up to 100' runs.

If you were going beyond 100' run, then you'd have to go even larger than 4awg.

At least that's what a qualified electrician would do.

Hope that helps.

@mongo has the correct answer.

In general, people pay too much attention to the wire diameter, and not enough attention goes into the connections. On a run that short the wire resistance is insignificant, most of the resistance comes from the terminals. Shaping the copper ends correctly and torquing to proper specs is just as important and is where most jobs fail. It doesn't hurt, and you can get a more robust, long-lasting connection to torque to spec, back off, and retorque.

BTW, I would never use aluminum wire for charging a car (and the Tesla Wall Connector is not certified or rated for aluminum wire).

 

[tmeyer3]

Depends on wire type:
Individual THHN/THWN-2 in conduit: 6AWG 90C
NM-B (Romex) cable: 4AWG 60C (4/2+G)
https://www.cerrowire.com/products/resources/tables-calculators/ampacity-charts/
https://www.tesla.com/sites/default...ng/Gen3_WallConnector_Installation_Manual.pdf

You'll be fine mentioned! 4AWD I hard to conduit, but I would expect it from a contracted job.

BTW, I would never use aluminum wire for charging a car (and the Tesla Wall Connector is not certified or rated for aluminum wire).

Agreed! Is this for a charger?

 

[AlmostHuman]

My recommendation is to always go larger and run something that as three wires and a ground so if you ever want to change it to something like a NEMA 14-50 you can do that later with the same cable. For example I used the following for my Wall Connectors. It does increase the price of the install and wire is silly pricey right now.

4/3 NM-B x 70' Non-Metallic Electrical Cable

https://a.co/d/cD2LggX

 

[Vuong785]

Thanks Wade. I agree. 4 awg is best for a 60A breaker as this is considered continuous duty. I will use MC 4/3 will cap the neutral for future NEMA 14-50.

 

[Vuong785]

4AWG copper or 3AWG aluminum for 60a.

6AWG can certainly carry up to 65a, but you shouldn't exceed the .8 load standard, making 6AWG maximum standard is 65 * .8 = 52a max recommended for up to 100' runs.

If you were going beyond 100' run, then you'd have to go even larger than 4awg.

At least that's what a qualified electrician would do.

Hope that helps.

Thank you Tmeyer3 for your advice. It is definitely easier to bend 6AWG vs. 4AWG. I am going with Southwire 4/3 MC with 3/4” connector, 3/4” single hole conduit straps and a mc bushing. I used Sigma for cabling accessories.

 

[Vuong785]

Depends on wire type:
Individual THHN/THWN-2 in conduit: 6AWG 90C
NM-B (Romex) cable: 4AWG 60C (4/2+G)
https://www.cerrowire.com/products/resources/tables-calculators/ampacity-charts/
https://www.tesla.com/sites/default...ng/Gen3_WallConnector_Installation_Manual.pdf

Thanks Mongo! THHN at 90C in conduit will pass inspection. I think EMT is way to go. But pulling THHN is hard without lube.

 

[Vuong785]

You'll be fine mentioned! 4AWD I hard to conduit, but I would expect it from a contracted job.


Agreed! Is this for a charger?

Yes. Gen 3 Tesla charger.

 

[Vuong785]

I used 6 gauge and it meets code for reasonable distances. 4 gauge is very thick and hard to work with.

You are correct. Minimum wire size recommends by Tesla is 6AWG cu for 60A. I have 10’ run so 6AWG is suffice.

 

[theoldguy]

Sorry I need to add my 2 cents lol. We almost always want to install devices per the manufacturers installation instructions. The National Electrical Code (NEC) even has a section for this, NEC 110.3B.
You have taken into consideration the length of the run, so no need for a voltage drop calculation.
The other thing that most are not aware of is something the NEC defines as a continuous load. If the load on a branch circuit is continuous for 3Hrs or more, it must be derated to 80%. If my math is correct... the max (continuous) 48amps of the charger is 80% of a 60amp branch circuit (or you can do the inverse and multiply 48amps by 125%). I believe that is NEC 210.23b?
You should also consider the size limitations of the lugs you will land the wires on. Some lugs will require solid conductors.
I hope I haven't confused the issue more lol. Hey, my fellow EC's, let me know if I missed anything.

 

[Trekboy]

6 AWG copper THHN in conduit is all you need. 10AWG copper THHN for the ground. That's what I ran for my 60 amp breaker, and it passed code with flying colors. Remember, it has to be THHN in conduit, no romex at that guage.

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