What size wire for 50 amp Rv service? Full Guide
The best wire for 50 amps is a 6 AWG wire. For longer runs, you can use a 4 AWG wire. Whether you have a 30 amp, 40 amp or a 50 amp breaker, wire size is essential. Before you take on any type of wiring job, be sure to know the exact size wire you need.
If you are in the market for a 50 amp wire, i would choose this 6-gauge wire from WINDYNATION on AMAZON.
If you will be making longer runs than say 100 feet, you can choose to use a 4-gauge wire from GEARIT on Amazon.
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Visit Article Close30 amp rv plug VS 50 amp rv plug
A 30 Amp Rv Plug is different from a 50 Amp Rv Plug. Below you will see the difference between both. The on the left is a 30 amp plug as it only has 3 prongs, the one on the right is a 50 amp plug as it has 4 prongs.
You can read all about a 50 amp rv plug in this post.
Want to know the wire sizes of other amperages? Visit some of our other pages below.
- 15 amp wire size?
- What size wire for 20 amps?
- Wire size for 60 amps?
- 100 amp wire
- Wire size for 200 amps?
- Wire size for 400 amp service?
Is 6 AWG necessary for 50 amps?
This is the best size wire for 50 amp Rv service. This is the wire you want to use for many reasons. The main reason is that a 6 AWG wire will be able to carry 50 amps safely without getting overheated.
Here are 6 reasons why 6 AWG wire is usually chosen over other wire sizes
- It's more affordable than a 4 AWG wire.
- It's easier to work with, especially if you're not a professional.
- It's common for people to use 6 AWG for 50 amps.
- It's a lot easier to get your hands on a 6 AWG wire than a 4 AWG wire.
- The wire is thicker and can withstand more heat than a smaller gauge wire.
- It's able to withstand an excessive amount of power that the majority of RVs won't ever require.
50 amp Aluminum Wire
Aluminum wires are ranked in a different way than copper wires are. For a 50 amp aluminum wire, you should use the No. 4 AWG. The smaller sized the number on the wire is, the larger the wire size. For instance No. 4 is larger in size than the No. 6. Aluminum wires are available in various types. Types RHW and THWN are the most typically utilized ones. No. 6 is only usefully good up to 40-amp.
50 amp Copper Wire
For copper wire, No. 8 or No. 6 THWN should be used. No. 6 copper wire can support approximately 55-amp at a temperature level of around 60 degree Celsius. No. 6 wire is highly suggested.
What does a 50 amp rv cord look like?
Here is a look at 3 different views of the 50 amp rv cord. You can distinguish this cord from a 30 amp rv cord by counting the amount of prongs it leads to. A 50 amp cord will have much thicker wires that lead to 4 prongs. A 30 amp cord has 3 wires that lead to prongs and a thinner wire.
WIRE SIZE AMPACITY CHART
| Gauge | Amperage |
|---|---|
| 2-gauge wire | 95 amps |
| 3-gauge wire | 85 amps |
| 4-gauge wire | 70 amps |
| 6-gauge wire | 55 amps |
| 8-gauge wire | 40 amps |
| 10-gauge wire | 30 amps |
| 12-gauge wire | 20 amps |
| 14-gauge wire | 15 amps |
Is a 50 amp RV plug 220 or 110?
If your 50 amp plug has four prongs then it is 220 volts. The prongs will be: one neutral, one ground, and the other two will each be 110 volts each.
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6/3 wire amp rating
6/3 wire is a wire rating used in your average residential wiring services for things like outlets, switches, and a variety of other things. A 60 Amp breaker is usually used with this type of wire. The "6" refers to the guage rating of the wire, and the "3" refers to the amount of wires present. There are usually 3 wires present, accompanied by a fourth which is usually a bare conductor. In this case, 6/3 means that it is rated at 6 AWG or 6 gauge, and is equipped with three stranded conductors (or wires).
You just learned about which type wire is best for 50 amps. If you are in the market for green power then check out portable solar generators.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you should take a look at our article at how much rv you can afford.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can 6 gauge wire handle 50 amps?
A: Yes, a 6 gauge wire can definitely handle 50 amps. A 6 gauge wire will handle amperage all the way up to 55. You will find that most appliances use a 50 amp breaker.
Q: Can 8 gauge wire handle 50 amps?
A: No, 8 AWG may be used to handle up to 40 amps. A 8 AWG wire can handle up to 70 amps in free air.
Q: Can 10 gauge wire handle 50 amps?
A: No, a 10 gauge wire can handle up to 30 amps.
Q: What size wire for 50 amps at 150 feet
A: To run 50 amps at 150 feet, you can use No. 4 AWG. The larger the wire diameter is defined by the smaller numbers on a wire.
Q: What wire size for 50 amp range?
A: This all depends on the type of appliance. However, most ranges require a 50 amp 240-volt circuit that is wired with a 6 gauge wire. A 4 gauge wire will be best if the current will be travelling longer distances.
Conclusion
So what size wire for 50 amp rv service? The best size for a 50 amp rv service is 6 AWG. It is extremely necessary to know the right size wire for anything you are doing as this will keep everyone safe. Nobody wants to start a wiring job and then a fire starts that could have been avoided by just using the right size wire.
