WireGaugeCalc Free calculator · NEC cited · works offline
Minimum Gage Copper Wire For Grounding Antenna
Minimum gage copper wire for grounding antenna is fast with WireGaugeCalc, since you pick the conductor and the tool returns an NEC-based size.
The calculator reads the grounding rules so you do not guess the gage of the copper run to the ground rod.
You get a clear copper size you can trust before you crimp a single lug.
Open the calculatorSmallest conductor whose ampacity meets the load, NEC Table 310.16. Field aid only, verify against the current NEC and your local authority having jurisdiction.
Size Wire For Antenna Ground Without Guesswork
An antenna ground conductor must be heavy enough to carry a fault and a strike, so a too-small copper wire fails the inspection.
WireGaugeCalc applies the NEC 250 grounding rules and the 810 antenna provisions to set the minimum copper gage.
The result holds the material, the length, and the termination temperature in one place.
What Goes Into The Antenna Grounding Conductor Size
A few inputs drive the copper gage the tool returns:
- Conductor material set to copper for the grounding run
- The run length from the antenna mast to the ground rod
- The NEC minimum of 10 AWG copper for an antenna lead-in ground
- Whether the conductor is bonded to the service grounding electrode
- The termination temperature at each connector
One app for every NEC calculation
WireGaugeCalc keeps the calculations you reach for most in one place:
- Voltage drop and wire sizing for any run
- Conduit fill for EMT, PVC, and RMC
- Box fill and junction box sizing
- Ampacity and temperature derating
- Motor circuit and load calculations
- Conduit bend offsets and saddles
Built for the field, works offline
The whole app runs on your phone, so it keeps working in a basement, an attic, or a job site with no signal.
There is no account to create and nothing to load. Open it, run the number, and get back to work.
- No signup and no signal needed
- Answers in a tap, not a spreadsheet
- Same tool on phone, tablet, and desktop
Every result cites the NEC article
Each answer shows the table or formula it came from, so you can check the method and learn the code as you go.
That makes the app useful on the job and during exam prep, since the reasoning is right next to the number.
Switch the code year your job runs on
Jurisdictions adopt the NEC at different times, so you can match the calculation to the code in force:
- NEC 2017, 2020, and 2023 tables
- Copper and aluminum conductors
- 60, 75, and 90 degree C terminations
- Single-phase and three-phase systems
Run the number, then get back to work
Stop flipping through a paper book or hopping between calculator sites. Enter your values, read the code-cited answer, and move on. Free to use, no signup.
Open the calculatorFrequently asked questions
What is the smallest copper wire allowed for an antenna ground?
The NEC sets a 10 AWG copper minimum for the antenna grounding conductor in most home installs. Verify the size against the current NEC and your local authority having jurisdiction before you wire it.
Can I run the antenna ground to the same rod as the service?
Yes, and bonding the antenna ground to the service grounding electrode is preferred since it keeps a single ground reference. WireGaugeCalc still checks that the copper gage meets the minimum for the run.
Is WireGaugeCalc free to use?
Yes. Every calculator is free to run with no signup. A paid tier adds saved projects, PDF reports, and extra code years, but the core math stays free.
Does it work without internet?
Yes. The app runs on your device, so it keeps working with no signal on a job site, in a basement, or in an attic.
Are the results code accurate?
Results follow published NEC tables and standard formulas, and each answer shows the article it came from. It is a field aid, not a stamp of approval, so verify against the current code and your local authority before you wire anything.
Which NEC code year does it use?
You can switch between NEC 2017, 2020, and 2023, since jurisdictions adopt the code at different times. Pick the year your job runs on.