Medium Voltage Application Guide

RESOURCES
6.3 Wire Diameter Conversion
The American wire gauge (AWG) system is commonly used in the US and Canada to specify the diameter of
electrical wires.
AWG number Area (mm 2 ) Nearest standard metric equivalent
(mm 2 )
4/0 107 120
3/0 85 95
2/0 67.4 70
1/0 53.5 70
1 42.4 50
2 33.6 35
3 26.7 35
4 21.2 25
5 16.8 25
6 13.3 16
7 10.5 16
8 8.37 10
9 6.63 10
10 5.26 6
11 4.17 6
12 3.31 4
13 2.62 4
14 2.08 2.5
15 1.65 2.5
16 1.31 1.5
17 1.04 1.5
18 0.823 1
19 0.653 0.75
20 0.518 0.75
21 0.41 0.5
Source: derived from ASTM (2002) and IEC 60228.
NOTE
This table does not provide a one-to-one correspondence between AWG and metric cables. This table
states the smallest standard metric cable which will provde at least as much carrying capacity as the AWG
cable. To substitute an AWG cable for a specified metric cable, use an AWG cable with the same or
greater cross-section.
710-12280-00A Medium Voltage Application Guide Page 217