what is amp capacity for #6 al-xhhw-2? 40,50 or 60 amp?

Answer 1

It is pretty scary with all the electricians responding that their first statement isn't - Toss the aluminum wire, it is a FIRE HAZARD. Also if you sell your house it is a serious problem when the buyer sees you have aluminum wire.

Answer 2

The ampacity (amp capacity) of ANY wire is not a simple blanket statement. I'll say 50A is most common (the 75 degree rating).

I'm surprised that another answer said electrician yet didn't know that the 2 on XHHW-2 means it is 90 degree wire (plain XHHW is 75 degree wire). Also surprised he's never heard of it. I think it is the most common aluminum conductor, aside from USE. Another answer gave 60A for an answer at 90 degrees, but you'll probably never find a terminal rated at 90 degrees so you can't use that. There are also cases where you will not be able to use 50A. I suggest you get an electrician to do this work.

Edit: To those who think this aluminum wire is dangerous, you should know that aluminum wire is very commonly used today, and the problems with aluminum in the past were small conductors (like 10 and 12 AWG) on screw terminals that were not designed for use with aluminum. Most houses have at least aluminum for the service. Many have aluminum for the stove. The larger the wire, the more likely it will be aluminum. And of course electric utilities use almost exclusively aluminum. I would say people that don't know what they are doing (many DIYers) are more dangerous than any aluminum wiring. Even the problems with the old small aluminum wires are largely blown out of proportion. Yes it has a higher failure rate (I've seen 55 times more likely than copper to fail) but it isn't inherantly dangerous, and the larger size conductors today certainly have no problem.

To the person that said 6AWG copper is 60 amps. That depends on the wire type. Romex for example, 6AWG is only 55 amps.

Answer 3

It will handle 60 amps at 90 degree C ambient temp.

As long as you use permatex or some kind of anti-oxidant on the termination ends aluminum is ok to use.

I just ran 120' of 1/0 3 aluminum for a 125 amp service and saved a $$$ over the copper equivalent.

Hope this helps :)

He asked for the rating....the rating on that wire is 60 amps @ 90 degrees C. Also those that are replying that aluminum is dangerous do not have a clue what they are talking about. For large amperage applications such as service tie ends aluminum is the only way to go. LOL thats all your utility is using.

Answer 4

Xhhw Aluminum Wire

Answer 5

If it was copper it would be 60 Amps. But since it's aluminum I'd be pushing it with 40 Amps.

Answer 6

6 gauge aluminum wire xhhw-2 (code name for the wire)...2 being 2 conductors....right?

googled that xhhw

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=xhhw-2+wire&btnG=Search

im an electrician and can find the amperage load for it but i need measurments of each strand or strand and insulation type, measurments...

its all in the NEC book...i must say though, i have never heard of that type wire before



"50 Amps.
See link below"

although thats true for most cases, if hes running it somewhere where it needs to be downgraded though calculations and all that and the area hes in...he may not be able to go with that

original poster...i suggest getting an electrician...you should not be messing with wire of this size for a DIY job...its just not safe at all

Answer 7

#6 would probably handle 50 amps, but you've got a corrosion factor, dude! Too much trouble gelling the clips and maintaining tension. Toss it and go with copper!

Answer 8

60 amps in conduit 80 amps in free air

Answer 9

50 Amps.
See link below:

Answer 10

Make your question more clear.