What is the ampacity of two 8 AWG XHHW-2 copper conductors connected to a two-pole circuit breaker with a termination temperature of 60/75°C?

The ampacity of conductors is determined by several factors, including the conductor size, insulation type, and the temperature rating of the terminations. For copper conductors, the National Electrical Code (NEC) provides a table that includes the ampacity ratings based on these parameters.

In this scenario, you are working with two 8 AWG XHHW-2 copper conductors. The XHHW-2 insulation type indicates that these conductors can handle higher temperatures and are suitable for wet or dry locations. When referring to 8 AWG copper conductors in the NEC and using the ampacity ratings for conductors terminated at 60°C/75°C, we typically refer to Table 310.16 of the NEC.

According to NEC Table 310.16, the ampacity of a single 8 AWG copper conductor at 60°C is typically listed as 40 amps, while at 75°C, the ampacity is increased. To determine the ampacity when two conductors are used, you also consider that the ampacity can be adjusted based on the application's specific requirements, such as the number of conductors in raceways or other de-rating factors.

In this case, choosing the appropriate ampacity considering the conditions