Gauge reference

Wire sizes we buy: #14 through 1000 MCM

If you know the gauge or the MCM, you are most of the way to a quote. This reference shows where each size is normally used and which constructions we see most often in Alabama.

#14 – #1 AWG1/0 – 4/0250 – 1000 MCMCopper & aluminum

Request a quote Call +1 (614) 715-3047

Row of wooden reels holding black electrical cable in a warehouse aisle — Reels organized by size in a distribution warehouseAWG / MCM

01 / Size reference

Where each size shows up

Applications below are typical, not prescriptive — the same gauge appears in branch circuits, feeders and industrial control work. Ampacities depend on insulation, temperature rating, conduit fill and the code edition in force.

Gauge or MCM · typical use · constructions we buy
Size	Typical use	Common constructions
#14	15 A branch circuits, control wiring, fixture whips	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, MC, fixture wire
#12	20 A receptacles and lighting circuits, the most common commercial size	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, MC, SER
#10	30 A circuits, small motors, rooftop units	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, MC, SOOW
#8	40 A feeders, ranges, subpanels, grounding electrode conductors	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, SER, bare copper
#6	50–60 A feeders, service laterals, larger equipment	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, SER/SEU, URD
#4	70–85 A feeders, panel to panel, larger HVAC	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, SER, USE-2
#2	95–115 A feeders, service entrance, subfeeders	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, SER/SEU, URD
#1	110–130 A feeders and service conductors	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, SER, USE-2
1/0	120–150 A services, large feeders	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, SER, URD, USE-2
2/0	150–175 A services and feeders	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, SER, URD
3/0	175–200 A services, main feeders	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, SER, URD
4/0	200–230 A services, large distribution	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, SER, URD, USE-2
250 MCM	250–300 A feeders, parallel runs, industrial distribution	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, tray cable, 15kV
300 MCM	285–350 A feeders, switchgear and MCC connections	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, tray cable, 15kV
350 MCM	310–400 A feeders, service entrance, utility work	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, tray cable, 25kV
400 MCM	350–450 A feeders and industrial distribution	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, tray cable, 25kV
500 MCM	380–500 A feeders, parallels, substation ties	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, tray cable, 35kV
600 MCM	475–600 A feeders and heavy industrial runs	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, tray cable
750 MCM	535–700 A feeders and utility distribution	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, tray cable, 35kV
1000 MCM	615–800 A feeders, parallels, high-amp industrial	THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, tray cable, 69kV+

02 Reading a reel tag

The four numbers that price a reel

A reel tag usually carries more information than a seller needs to send, but four items decide most of the value:

Type — THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2, MC, SER, tray cable, EPR, XLPE. The type tells us insulation, jacket and where the cable can be installed.
Size — AWG (#14 through #1) or MCM (250 through 1000). Compact stranded aluminum and stranded copper price differently.
Voltage — 600 V building wire versus 5kV, 15kV, 25kV, 35kV or 69kV cable. Medium-voltage stock is a different market.
Footage — printed on the tag for full reels, marked on the flange for partials, or estimated from reel diameter and wrap count.

Conductor count matters for multi-conductor cable (2/C, 3/C, 4/C plus ground), and so does the presence of a ground conductor in MC and SER. A tag photo answers all of it at once.

03 Copper or aluminum

Both are in scope, and they are not interchangeable

Copper and aluminum wire are both bought, but they are priced on different fundamentals and used differently. Copper carries more current per circular mil and is standard for branch circuits and most industrial work. Aluminum is common in service entrance, feeders, URD and utility distribution, where larger sizes and lower weight matter.

When you send an inquiry, say which metal you have. For mixed lots, list copper and aluminum separately with approximate footages — it turns a vague pallet into a quotable inventory.

Also note the condition of the conductor. Bright, untarnished copper in original wrap is straightforward. Aluminum that has been stored outdoors, or copper that has been exposed to moisture, is still considered, but the photos need to show the jacket and the exposed ends.

04 / Quote

Send the gauge and the footage

Include the size, metal, voltage class and approximate length. If the tag is unreadable, a tape measure against the conductor works.

Contact

Contact name *

Company

Phone *

Email *

City or ZIP where the wire is *

The wire

Wire type

Print from the jacket or the reel tag.

Conductor metal

Gauge or MCM

Voltage class

Conductor count

Approximate footage

Reels, spools or coils

Estimated weight

Condition

Reel, coil or boxed

Loading at the site

Details and photos

Description and loading notes

Include anything that affects removal: dock height, forklift capacity, appointment rules.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Photos help most when they show the reel flange tag, the print on the jacket, the conductor end and a wide shot of the lot. JPG, PNG, HEIC or PDF; keep the four uploads under 10 MB in total. Larger sets can be emailed to saleselectricalbuyers@gmail.com.

Submitting this form does not commit you to anything. We reply with an offer or a question — never a mailing list.

Reel tag unreadable?

Photograph the jacket print and the flange. We can usually identify the cable from those two shots.