#6 wire, what size subpanel?

[Jeff Monson]

I'm in need of a subpanel, I have a 15' run of #6 wire ran to my shop
(1 red, 1 black, 1 white ) . The breaker is a 50 amp currently in the panel. What size subpanel can I run off of the #6 wire? I mainly need it for 2 more 220 circuits in my shop, 1 20 amp, and 1 30 amp.

[Dave MacArthur]

60 Amps. Every ampacity chart I've seen for 6AWG gives 60A, but that assumes you're not packing the wire in conduit usually.

Normal House Wiring Gauge
Consult your building inspector
because your location
will have a specific building code! Circuit
Maximum
Amperage Minimum COPPER
amps wire gage
15A 14AWG
20A 12AWG
30A 10AWG
45A 8AWG
60A 6AWG
80A 4AWG
100A 2AWG

[Von Bickley]

Jeff,
For the sub-panel to be legal, you will also need a ground wire to it.

[Gerald Senburn]

Jeff,
For the sub-panel to be legal, you will also need a ground wire to it.

Yes, you need two hots, a neutral, and a ground. Also, do NOT bind the neutral and ground together, they hook to separate busses. Neutral and ground don't meet up until the main panel.

I learned this from the Wood Nerd's site, he has a very good page on electrical wiring: http://www.thewoodnerd.com/articles/circuitSizing.html

[Rollie Meyers]

60 Amps. Every ampacity chart I've seen for 6AWG gives 60A, but that assumes you're not packing the wire in conduit usually.

Normal House Wiring Gauge
Consult your building inspector
because your location
will have a specific building code! Circuit
Maximum
Amperage Minimum COPPER
amps wire gage
15A 14AWG
20A 12AWG
30A 10AWG
45A 8AWG
60A 6AWG
80A 4AWG
100A 2AWG

The allowable ampacity is dependent on the insulation type & one does not get to size conductor based on the 90 degree C column & NM cable "Romex" is sized per the 60 degree column, and if on the 2008 NEC SER cable is also sized in the 60 column. The ampacities listed in bold above came from the 90 degree column which is incorrect.

[Bruce Wrenn]

Your ground will only have to be a #10 THHN. Remember that 60 amps at 220 actually gives your 120 amps at 120. My shop has a 60 amp sub in it. I have the usual suspects, DC, air comp (220). table saw, radial arm saw, drill press, stick welder, MIG welder, planer, band saw, along with lights and hand power tools. Never a problem with lack of current in 30 years.