🔌 What Size Wire for a 60 Amp Breaker in Canada?
The short answer
Under the conservative 60°C termination method our Canadian tables use, start with #4 copper NMD90 for 60 A; check the exact installation in the Ampacity Check tool before relying on a marked 75°C termination and #6 copper at 65 A.
The verified 60°C column gives #6 copper only 55 A, so that method selects #4 copper at 70 A. The verified 75°C column gives #6 copper 65 A. CEC Rule 4-006 and the equipment markings decide which termination limit applies. Ampacity Check tool.
The #6-vs-#4 divide
The #6-versus-#4 split comes from the termination column. #6 copper is 55 A in the verified 60°C column and 65 A in the verified 75°C column; the conservative method our Canadian tables use therefore starts at #4 copper for 60 A unless the installation supports the 75°C column.
Distance changes the answer — and Rule 8-102 is mandatory
Minimum size at 240 V, sized at the full 60 A with 60°C terminations and kept at or under the mandatory 3% voltage-drop limit (one-way distance):
60 A at 240 V
| Material | 15 m (50′) | 30 m (100′) | 46 m (150′) | 61 m (200′) | 76 m (250′) | 91 m (300′) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Aluminum | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1/0 | 2/0 |
Common Canadian 60-amp jobs
In the CEC Rule 8-104 rated-equipment case, a 60 A conductor limit supports 48 A continuous because 60 A × 80% = 48 A. Other common jobs include sub-panel feeds and larger heat-pump or mini-split circuits; follow the equipment nameplate.
Worked example: 60 A at 240 V over 46 m (150 ft)
Our verified calculator selects #4 copper (41,740 circular mils): 2 × 12.9 × 60 × 150 ÷ 41,740 = 5.56 V, or 2.32% of 240 V. The result passes ampacity and the mandatory 3% drop limit.
Related
Canadian sub-panel wire size guide · Wire Size calculator · Ampacity Check tool
60-amp wire size FAQ
- Can I run an EV charger on a 60 amp circuit in Canada?
- In the CEC Rule 8-104 rated-equipment case, a 60 A conductor limit supports 48 A continuous: 60 A × 80% = 48 A. Confirm the charger's setting, equipment markings, and local requirements.
- Why do people say both 6 and 4 gauge for 60 amps in Canada?
- The termination column changes the result. #6 copper is 65 A at 75°C, but only 55 A at 60°C; the 60°C method therefore selects #4 copper at 70 A.
- What about a 60 amp sub-panel in Canada?
- Use the Canadian sub-panel guide for feeder details and distance tables. This page only answers the 60 A breaker-and-conductor view.