What size wire do I need for a 80 amp breaker?

4 AWG copper is the smallest conductor our model estimates at or above 80 A using a 75 °C insulation rating; 2 AWG is required if the terminations are limited to 60 °C. In aluminium the equivalent is 2 AWG. Verify against the code edition adopted locally before installing.

Can I use aluminium wire on a 80 amp circuit?

Yes, where the terminations are rated for aluminium. Because aluminium carries roughly 78% of the current of the same copper size, a 80 A circuit steps up to 2 AWG and uses K = 21.2 in the voltage-drop formula instead of 12.9.

How far can a 80 amp circuit run?

On 4 AWG copper the 3% voltage-drop guideline is reached near 72 ft one-way at 120 V and 145 ft at 240 V. Longer runs need the next size or two up — length, not ampacity, decides most feeder sizes.

Is a 80 amp breaker sized at 100% of the load?

Only for non-continuous loads. A continuous load is designed at 125%, so 80 A of continuous current becomes 100 A of design current and lands on a 100 A device with conductors sized to match.

What is typically on a 80 amp circuit?

Commonly detached garage or shop feeders. The load type also drives the receptacle and disconnect ratings, not just the conductor size.

What Size Wire for a 80 Amp Breaker?

Conductor size, aluminium equivalent, derating and maximum run length for a 80 amp circuit — all derived from published conductor geometry and the voltage-drop formula.

Quick answer

A 80 amp circuit needs 4 AWG copper with 75 °C terminations, or 2 AWG aluminium. 2 AWG copper applies where equipment terminals are limited to 60 °C. Voltage drop reaches 3% at roughly 145 ft one-way on 240 V and 72 ft on 120 V.

Formula estimate

Copper @ 75 °C

4 AWG

Copper @ 60 °C

2 AWG

Aluminium @ 75 °C

2 AWG

3% drop @ 240 V

145ft

Conductor options for 80 A

Estimated ampacity of each candidate size, so you can see the margin you are buying.

Material / rating	Minimum size	Estimated ampacity	Margin over 80 A
Copper, 60 °C	2 AWG	92 A	+12 A
Copper, 75 °C	4 AWG	80 A	+0 A
Copper, 90 °C	4 AWG	90 A	+10 A
Aluminium, 75 °C	2 AWG	84 A	+4 A
Aluminium, 90 °C	3 AWG	82 A	+2 A

Ampacity estimated as I = 0.0670 × cmil^0.6505, scaled for insulation rating and material.

Source & method: Conductor areas come from the ASTM B258 relationship d = 5 × 92^((36 − n) / 39). Ampacity is a fitted physical model, not a reproduction of any code table, and runs within roughly ±8% of published values.

Maximum run length on 4 AWG copper

One-way distance before voltage drop passes the 3% and 5% guidelines.

System	3% limit	5% limit	Drop @ 100 ft
120 V 1Ø	72 ft	121 ft	4.12%
240 V 1Ø	145 ft	242 ft	2.06%
208 V 3Ø	145 ft	242 ft	2.06%
480 V 3Ø	336 ft	560 ft	0.89%

Source & method: VD = 2 × K × I × L / cmil single phase, 1.732 × K × I × L / cmil three phase, with K = 12.9 for copper. 4 AWG is 41,741 circular mils and 0.2485 Ω per 1000 ft at 20 °C.

Hot attics, conduit runs and bundling

What a 80 A circuit actually needs once ambient temperature and conductor count are applied.

Ambient	3 conductors	4–6 conductors	7–9 conductors
30 °C	4 AWG	2 AWG	1 AWG
40 °C	3 AWG	1 AWG	1/0 AWG
50 °C	2 AWG	1/0 AWG	2/0 AWG
60 °C	1/0 AWG	3/0 AWG	3/0 AWG

Source & method: Ambient correction F = √((Tc − Ta) / (Tc − 30)) with Tc = 75 °C; bundling adjustment uses the standard stepped schedule (1.00 / 0.80 / 0.70). The conductor shown is the smallest copper size whose corrected ampacity still carries 80 A.

Continuous loads

A continuous load — one expected to run three hours or more, like commercial lighting or an EV charger — is designed at 125% of the load current. 80 A continuous becomes 100 A of design current, which lands on a 100 A overcurrent device and 2 AWG copper.

Frequently asked

What size wire do I need for a 80 amp breaker?: 4 AWG copper is the smallest conductor our model estimates at or above 80 A using a 75 °C insulation rating; 2 AWG is required if the terminations are limited to 60 °C. In aluminium the equivalent is 2 AWG. Verify against the code edition adopted locally before installing.
Can I use aluminium wire on a 80 amp circuit?: Yes, where the terminations are rated for aluminium. Because aluminium carries roughly 78% of the current of the same copper size, a 80 A circuit steps up to 2 AWG and uses K = 21.2 in the voltage-drop formula instead of 12.9.
How far can a 80 amp circuit run?: On 4 AWG copper the 3% voltage-drop guideline is reached near 72 ft one-way at 120 V and 145 ft at 240 V. Longer runs need the next size or two up — length, not ampacity, decides most feeder sizes.
Is a 80 amp breaker sized at 100% of the load?: Only for non-continuous loads. A continuous load is designed at 125%, so 80 A of continuous current becomes 100 A of design current and lands on a 100 A device with conductors sized to match.
What is typically on a 80 amp circuit?: Commonly detached garage or shop feeders. The load type also drives the receptacle and disconnect ratings, not just the conductor size.

Wire and breakers for a 80 A circuit

4 AWG copper wire

Matched to the 80 A sizing on this page.

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