For a 73.53-amp circuit running 75 feet on 120V, 4 AWG copper is the smallest gauge in our table that both stays within the 3% drop target and covers the branch-circuit OCP cap for 73.53A. A shorter run of 37.5 feet at the same voltage often allows 4 AWG. Treat this as an estimate, not an install spec.
73.53A at 75ft · 120V three-phase L-L · 3% drop target
4 AWG copper
Aluminum option3 AWG
On a 240V circuit (copper)4 AWG
Voltage drop (120V, copper)2.94V (2.45%)
Use this citation when referencing this page.
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Within the 3% branch and 5% feeder+branch total drop targets
Assumes a 120V source on a three-phase L-L circuit and a 3% voltage-drop target. Each material is picked independently against the same target, so the copper and aluminum results are two separate recommendations, not an ampacity equivalence. Switch to single-phase / DC →
How Wire Size Is Determined
Step 1: NEC Branch-Circuit Ampacity
4 AWG branch-circuit OCP (85A) ≥ 73.53A ✓
The conductor needs to carry at least 73.53A without going past its temperature rating, and the OCP protecting it needs to respect the NEC branch-circuit cap. Under the typical assumptions used in this table (copper, 75°C termination, no bundling or ambient derates), 4 AWG sits at a branch-circuit OCP of 85A. That is not a universal number: NM-B cable (Romex) follows the 60°C column in residential use per NEC 334.80 (4 AWG NM-B = 70A), bundling more than three current-carrying conductors requires a 310.15(C)(1) adjustment, ambient temperatures above 30°C require a 310.15(B) correction, and 60°C terminations on typical residential equipment can pull the usable value lower still. Use the nameplate and local code for the actual install value.
Step 2: Voltage Drop Check
%VD = (√3 × L × I × R) ÷ (1000 × V) × 100 (three-phase L-L; √3 factor)
NEC 210.19(A) Informational Note 4 recommends ≤ 3% for branch circuits and ≤ 5% for feeder + branch total as performance targets, not hard code requirements. This run sits within the 3% target used for this calculation.
Practical Information
What If You Go One Size Smaller?
Using 6 AWG (one size thinner) at these inputs gives a voltage drop of 4.69V (3.91% on 120V), and its branch-circuit OCP cap under typical conditions is 65A.
Limiting factor here: branch-circuit ampacity. 6 AWG has a branch-circuit OCP cap of 65A under the typical 75°C-termination assumptions used here, which is below the 73.53A load. For this load it shouldn't be used without reassessing against the actual termination temperature, cable type, ambient conditions, and any 240.4(D) or 240.4(B) provisions.
What If You Go One Size Larger?
Using 3 AWG (one size thicker) would reduce voltage drop to 2.34V (1.95% on 120V). More expensive wire but better performance and more headroom for future load increases.
Wattage at This Amperage
73.53A at 120V delivers 8,823.6 watts (DC / resistive load). See conversion.
73.53A at 75ft on 120V is commonly served by 4 AWG copper to land under the 3% voltage-drop target, under the typical 75°C-termination assumptions used in this table. Actual install sizing also depends on conductor material, insulation and termination temperature rating, cable type, ambient and bundling conditions, and local code.
Copper wire pricing tracks the LME copper spot price and varies with insulation type, cable assembly (THHN, NM-B, MC, SE, USE), and quantity. Check current pricing with a local electrical supply house or distributor catalog; commodity-driven numbers inlined on a calculator page age quickly.
Voltage drop scales linearly with distance: doubling the one-way run length doubles the drop in volts. At 73.53A on 120V, a 75ft run is often served by 4 AWG to land under the 3% drop target, a run half that length can sometimes use one gauge thinner, and a run double that length usually needs one or two gauges thicker. Ampacity is set by the conductor itself (Table 310.16 at the applicable termination temperature), so the binding constraint is ampacity on short runs and voltage drop on long runs.
Yes, but you may need thicker wire. At 150ft on 120V, check the wire size calculator. You may need to go up one or two gauges.
It depends on which factor the thinner gauge violates. If its branch-circuit ampacity is still at or above the load, the limiting factor is usually voltage drop (a performance recommendation per NEC 210.19(A) Informational Note 4, not a hard code requirement) and the symptom is dimming lights, motor startup issues, or wasted energy as I²R losses. If the thinner gauge is actually below the load's ampacity ceiling at the relevant termination temperature, that is a conductor-heating / code compliance issue, and the wire should not be used for that load. A calculator page cannot tell you which category applies to your install: verify against the conductor type, termination temperature, and install conditions.
This calculator provides estimates for reference purposes only. Always consult a licensed electrician and verify compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local electrical codes before performing any electrical work.
