5 AWG (American Wire Gauge) wire specifications: 4.6213 mm diameter, 16.7732 mm² area. Resistance, weight, and common uses.
| Diameter | 4.6213 mm · 0.181941" · 181.94 mils |
| Cross-sectional area | 16.7732 mm² · 33,102 circular mils |
| Resistance (copper, 20°C) | 1.0278 Ω/km · 0.3133 Ω/1000ft |
| Resistance (aluminum, 20°C) | 1.6849 Ω/km · 0.5136 Ω/1000ft |
| Ampacity — copper 60°C | — A |
| Ampacity — copper 75°C | — A |
| Ampacity — copper 90°C | — A |
| Ampacity — aluminum 75°C | — A |
| Weight (copper) | 150.288 kg/km · 100.989 lbs/1000ft |
| Weight (aluminum) | 45.288 kg/km · 30.432 lbs/1000ft |
| Closest IEC 60228 size | 16 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 |
5 AWG copper (4.621 mm diameter, 16.77 mm²) is used for large feeder circuits typically rated around 55–65 A. Common applications include sub-panel feeds in commercial buildings, large motor branch circuits, and industrial control wiring where 6 AWG is too small but 4 AWG is oversized.
Per NEC Table 310.16, 5 AWG copper is rated 55 A at 60°C, 65 A at 75°C, and 75 A at 90°C. It is not subject to the fixed breaker limits in NEC 240.4(D), which only apply to 14–10 AWG. Standard overcurrent protection is typically a 60 A breaker per the next-size-up rule in NEC 240.4(B).