3 AWG wire specifications: 5.8273 mm diameter, 26.6705 mm² area, 85A ampacity (copper, 75°C). Resistance, weight, and common uses.
| Diameter | 5.8273 mm · 0.229423" · 229.42 mils |
| Cross-sectional area | 26.6705 mm² · 52,635 circular mils |
| Resistance (copper, 20°C) | 0.6464 Ω/km · 0.197 Ω/1000ft |
| Resistance (aluminum, 20°C) | 0.9936 Ω/km · 0.3029 Ω/1000ft |
| Ampacity — copper 60°C | 85 A |
| Ampacity — copper 75°C | 85 A |
| Ampacity — copper 90°C | 115 A |
| Ampacity — aluminum 75°C | 65 A |
| Weight (copper) | 238.967 kg/km · 160.578 lbs/1000ft |
| Weight (aluminum) | 72.01 kg/km · 48.389 lbs/1000ft |
| Closest metric size | 26.7 mm² |
| Skin depth at 60 Hz | 8.531 mm |
| Type | Temperature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| THHN/THWN-2 | 90°C dry / 75°C wet | Most common for building wire |
| XHHW-2 | 90°C dry and wet | Cross-linked polyethylene, moisture resistant |
| USE-2 | 90°C | Underground service entrance |
| NM-B (Romex) | 90°C | Non-metallic sheathed cable for residential |
| UF-B | 60°C | Underground feeder, direct burial |