wire size x load question

Mar 14, 2006 4 Replies

Hi I have an electrician going to run 150' of #2 wire carrying 220 volts 60 amps. Thing is I gave him money to buy wire, I think he said he would need #6, but seems he has *salvaged* this wire from an friends junkyard. The wire appears to be in good condition; but I need to know if that wire is too large for that load or does it matter? thanks req


Using wire bigger than you need doesn't matter (setting aside practical considerations).

Ed

#6 is probably too small anyway. At 150 ft out I wouldn't want to go much less than #2 if you are using anywhere near that full 60a. Voltage drop becomes an issue.

A #6 wire is smaller than a #2 wire, much smaller. The larger the gauge number the smaller the cross section of the wire. MG

Thanks for the feedback folks. req

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