Reference tables

2023 NEC

Aluminum Conductor Ampacity Table

Allowable ampacity of aluminum and copper-clad aluminum conductors from 12 AWG to 750 kcmil at 60°C, 75°C, and 90°C.

Size60°C75°C90°COvercurrent cap
12 AWG15202515 A
10 AWG25303525 A
8 AWG354045
6 AWG405055
4 AWG556575
3 AWG657585
2 AWG7590100
1 AWG85100115
1/0 AWG100120135
2/0 AWG115135150
3/0 AWG130155175
4/0 AWG150180205
250 kcmil170205230
300 kcmil195230260
350 kcmil210250280
400 kcmil225270305
500 kcmil260310350
600 kcmil285340385
700 kcmil315375425
750 kcmil320385435
Allowable ampacity of insulated aluminum conductors rated up to 2000 V, with not more than three current-carrying conductors in a raceway, cable, or earth, based on an ambient temperature of 30°C (86°F). The final column is the separate small-conductor overcurrent ceiling, which applies regardless of the ampacity shown.

Source: NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, Table 310.16; NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 240.4(D). Published by NFPA.NEC 2023

Reading this table

The three temperature columns are the conductor's insulation rating, not the ambient temperature. A 90°C-rated conductor is not permitted to run hotter than the equipment it terminates on allows — and most breakers and equipment are listed for 60°C or 75°C. In practice the 75°C column governs most installations, and the 90°C column is used as the starting point for derating rather than as a final ampacity.

The overcurrent cap column

The smallest conductors carry a fixed protection ceiling that is separate from ampacity. It exists because small conductors have little thermal mass and are easily damaged, and it applies regardless of what the temperature columns read. The cited section carries specific exceptions this table does not reproduce.

Aluminum specifics

Aluminum is not listed at 14 AWG. Compared with copper of the same size it carries less current and has higher resistance, so aluminum runs need larger conductors and drop more voltage over the same distance. It also requires terminations listed for aluminum and an antioxidant compound at connections — the corrosion and creep failures aluminum is remembered for are largely termination failures.

Before you use these numbers

Correct for ambient temperature and adjust for the number of current-carrying conductors before sizing anything — see the temperature correction and bundling adjustment tables, or let the ampacity lookup apply both.

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