I suppose the bottom line is the value of your time to do the load calculation and discuss this with an inspector versus the amount you save in wire costs. This provides plenty of capacity for future circuits and avoids wasting your time arguing. A more common size for a neutral in a residence is two sizes smaller than the phase conductors. I do agree with you that the neutral can be sized to the maximum unbalanced load if it meets the other requirement for minmum size of ground.īe prepared to show your service calculation if you want to win that arguement with an inspector. However, when one tries to do something that is out of the ordinary or unusual the typical reaction from other tradesmen or inspectors is at least surprise or disbelief. Then if you assume that all those loads are on one phase, which would never happen, a #4 copper would certainly be plenty large. If one does a load calculation for a typical residential service, even for a large house, the maximum 120-volt loads are very likely well below 100 amps. A 750 kcmil 200 amp aluminum wire size, on the other hand, is the ideal solution for saving a little money on the application.I believe that you are correct. What Size Wire can be Used For 200 Amp 350 Feet Service?Ī minimum of 350 kcmil copper is suggested for a single-phase electrical service rated at 200 amps at 350 ft. However, aside from the wire size, it is also good to consider using a direct burial cable for any underground electrical projects. Generally, the minimum 200 amp wire size for this setup is 2/0 gauge copper or 4/0 gauge aluminum. What Wire Size is Needed for a 200 Amp Service Underground? However, if you use 4/0 gauge copper wire size, you may run it up to 150 feet with the same percentage of voltage drop. This configuration has a 3% voltage drop, which is allowed under NEC regulations. How Far Can I Run 4/0 Aluminum Wire for 200 Amp Service?Ī 4/0 gauge size aluminum wire can typically run 50 feet in a 200 amp service panel. As a result, the 80% rule that is required by the NEC standard should be considered.Īs a result, rather than using the maximum 200 amps, you are only able to use 160 amps. However, due to safety reasons, using the maximum capacity of an electrical system is not allowed. How Many Amps will a 200 Amp Service Handle?Ī 200 amp panel can typically accommodate 200 amps of current. Durable, but doesn’t last as long as copper, around 80 years.Each application necessitates the use of aluminum support materials such as connectors and screws.Recommended Wire Sizes for Different Service Panels Anything more than this length, such as panels 200 ft away or wiring that runs 500 ft, is subject to a higher voltage loss and needs much larger wires. However, you should note that the list is only applicable to less than 100 ft. If you were looking for the recommended wire size for other service panel ratings, the wire size chart below might be useful. This is ideal, since the 200 amp service cable price per foot for aluminum is 20 to 50% less expensive than copper. On the other hand, if you are tight on budget, you can use 500 kcmil aluminum. This suggested size wire for a 200 amp panel will work for both single-phase and three-phase installations. In this case, instead of using a 2/0 copper wire, you should use 300 kcmil copper with only a 2.78% voltage drop. As a result, you need to use a much bigger wire size than the one for short-distance setups. When looking for a 200 amp service entrance wire size, you should consider the 3% allowable voltage drop by NEC standards. Utilizing it for a longer distance might cause a higher percentage of voltage drop, which can also lead to potential hazards in an electrical system. However, this size is only appropriate for applications at less than 100 feet. It should support the current load of the panel, which may vary depending on the application length due to voltage drops.įor example, we usually pick a 2/0 gauge copper cable for 200 amp service. Distance?Īside from the branch circuit wiring, another important thing to consider when installing a service panel is the wire used for the service entrance. What is the Recommended Size Wire for a 200 Amp Service Panel at 300 Ft.
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