What size wire for 50 amp Rv service? Full Guide

What is gauge and AWG

Gauge is the measurement of a wire, particularly its size. AWG is the standard system used for this measurement. Wire gauge is determined from high to low with greater numbers suggesting a smaller sized wire size. Accurate wire sizing is necessary for a breaker as it assists in figuring out just how much of a electrical current can pass through it safely and just how much resistance it will have.
Please keep in mind that the details within this short blog post is just a simple look on the basic standards. For any concerns that you may have, seek advice from a electrical contractor that is licensed and certified, along with your regional electrical codes.

30 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.

Aspects to consider when choosing wire size

• Length of the wire

The best option when figuring out what size wire to use at certain lengths is to consult a professional and get their input on the job you are about to partake. However, rule of thumb is to go up one size larger than your job requirement if your wire is inside a conduit, ganged with other wires which inhibits heat dissipation, or your run exceeds 100 feet.

• Type of wire material

If you are utilizing a wire that is not made from brass, silver or copper, it would be best to check and see if a different size is required. Aluminum wires are known to be much less common than ones made with copper, and they likewise differ from them in certain requirements. Aluminum uses roughly 61% of the conductivity of copper wires.They however weigh 70% less than copper wires.

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

How to wire a 50 amp rv plug?

Here is how you wire a 50 amp rv plug. It is not that hard if you just follow the color codes and the correct prongs.

1. First Step: The first thing you need to do is to get all the required items to complete the job. You do not want to start the job and then have to stop and head to the store.
2. Second Stop: Secondly, if you are going to be replacing a wire that was already in use, be sure to disconnect any power that will be leading to the plug.
3. Third Step: If you haven't already labelled your wires, now would be a good time to add labels to the wires. Adding labels to your wires will make the job easier next time if you happen to redo the job for some reason. It will also help if someone else will be doing the job next time.
4. Fourth Step: Check with the wire's manufacturer to find out all you need to know about the colors. Next thing to do is to attach each wire to their designated prong. You should wire the white wire to the neutral prong. The red wire goes to Hot #1 Prong. The Black wire goes to the Hot #2 prong. Lastly, the orange or green wire goes to the ground.

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.

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 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).

If you're in the market for 6/3 wire, here are some links on amazon:

• 6/3 UF (Underground Feeder - Direct Earth Burial) Cable
• 110' 6/3 UF Underground Feeder Direct Earth Burial Cable
• 6/3 UF-B x 75' Underground Feeder Cable
• 6/3 UF (Underground Feeder - Direct Earth Burial) Cable
• 65' 6/3 SOOW SO 600V Portable Power Cord Outdoor Durable Flexible Wire Cable

So what size wire for 30 amps?

You should use the No. 10 AWG size for a 30 amp wire. This is a safe place to start.

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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.