Taxlady1975
New member
I am changing my home to all electric and need to run wire for clothes dryer, range and hot water tank. I was told that when my boss built her home she only used one gauge of wire for all 220 appliances. What should I use?
Gauge electric wire
- Thread starter Taxlady1975
- Start date
kd3pc
Well-known member
larger loads require larger wire - as does distance from the panel sometimes, one could use the largest wires for each - but would be wasting $$$ on the water heater, if it is a standard style.
Without tags/label information for each unit, it would be tough to answer...
Without tags/label information for each unit, it would be tough to answer...
Also, #6 or #8 'stove' wire may not fit in the 20-30A breaker terminals for the water heater.
Best to buy the wire for the appliance after you know its electrical specs, and know how far its situated from the service panel. To get an accurate length, route an extension cord or string, and then measure it. Always add a little extra.
Best to buy the wire for the appliance after you know its electrical specs, and know how far its situated from the service panel. To get an accurate length, route an extension cord or string, and then measure it. Always add a little extra.
rburke65
Well-known member
Water heater.. 10awg. Dryer....10awg. Oven..?..6 or 8. As said, buy appliances first.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
You could certainly do so however, you would need larger gauge wire for the range while the other appliances need smaller gauge wire.
If you used the same gauge for all, this means youre wasting money on wire.
Also, as mentioned, the wire might not fit in smaller breakers
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
That actually would be too small for larger water heaters.
sberry
Banned
Dryers and water heaters to 5500 watt is 10. A range is 6 but ovens and stove tops are less.
grumpyvette
New member
most electrical receptacles in your gauge should have 10 ga copper wire
welders and some other higher amp rated tools will require heavier gauge wire
welders and some other higher amp rated tools will require heavier gauge wire
JohnKal
Well-known member
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Huh?
120v 15 and 20a outlets do NOT need #10 wire.
Most welders have low duty cycles and therefore do not require “heavier gauge wire” either
Last edited:
The following is for copper wire use in residential.
14 ga. 15 amp breaker.
12 ga. 20 amp breaker.
10 ga. 30 amp breaker.
8 ga. 40- 50 amp breaker. Depending on run location.
6 ga. 50-60 amp. Depending on wire run location
If a wire run is through a attic the amperage usage is derated. That’s why the #8, #6 are shown above in that way.
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14 ga. 15 amp breaker.
12 ga. 20 amp breaker.
10 ga. 30 amp breaker.
8 ga. 40- 50 amp breaker. Depending on run location.
6 ga. 50-60 amp. Depending on wire run location
If a wire run is through a attic the amperage usage is derated. That’s why the #8, #6 are shown above in that way.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Zeke
Well-known member
Anyone suspect the OP's post?
yupper
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
The devil is in the details.
If the #8 is NM-b, then it is limited to 40a....
yuppers!
ard
Well-known member
www.southwire.com has a calculator for load, length, and gauge.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
another crazy electrical post from the grumpy guy
