What Size Aluminum Wire Is Needed For A 200 Amp Service?
What size wire for 200 amp service should y'all buy? If you're request this question, you should definitely call an electrician. But for your ain knowledge, we'll explain wire sizing and considerations in the guide below.
Disclaimer: The data included in this post is for informational purposes simply and should non be taken equally legal, financial, or DIY advice. We highly suggest consulting a professional person earlier attempting any DIY home improvements or repairs.
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- What Size Wire for 200 Amp Service
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What Size Wire for 200 Amp Service?
Smart homes and digital connexion are the hereafter for homeowners. We need electrical panels that can handle the digital future, and many homeowners are upgrading their systems to 200 amp service.
Knowing what size wire for 200 amp service is critical to setting up your electric system to piece of work for years to come. Merely how do you cull from the options?
The Quick Answer
Installing a 200 amp service requires a permit and professional experience. While you'll need a qualified electrician, it'due south good to know the nuts alee of time.
For a 200 amp service, y'all'll need:
- #two/0 copper wire, or
- #four/0 aluminum or copper-clad aluminum wire
Y'all'll need to consider a few things when selecting your wiring, including your personal preferences, the voltage drop, and the length of the wire. Don't worry – we'll explicate each of these in particular below.
What Size Wire Do You lot Need for 200 Amp Service
The size wire you need for 200 amp service depends on the type of wire yous're getting. Let's look at the difference betwixt a copper wire and an aluminum or copper-clad aluminum wire. So we'll get into the factors you lot should consider when choosing your wiring.
Copper Wiring
Copper wiring is the best in the business. Its high conductivity, oestrus and corrosion resistance, and flexibility make it platonic for wiring in any situation. However, copper can exist more than expensive and more than complex to install. Hither'southward everything you need to know about copper wiring:
- High Electrical conductivity: Copper is a naturally highly conductive metal . Only silver is meliorate at conducting electricity. Because it'south great at conducting electricity, you can employ it for much longer distances, and you can use a much smaller guess than for aluminum.
- Heat and Corrosion Resistant: While copper changes color from oxidation, those changes don't affect its performance. Copper is corrosion-resistant and will stand the examination of time. It's also a lot more heat resistant than aluminum. Heat doesn't cause information technology to expand or flex near as much, so it stays in place.
- Flexible: Since you can use thinner strands of copper wire, it's much easier to bend and wrap without breaking.
- In for the Distance: Once again, since copper is so highly conductive and sturdy, it's amend for length and doesn't lose its voltage over longer distances.
Again, copper is probably the all-time cloth for wiring, merely it does take downsides, which we'll touch on in the next department.
The Curt Answer: When using a 200 amp service, you'll desire a #ii/0 copper wire.
Aluminum
Aluminum has less electrical conductivity than copper and also responds more quickly to estrus and corrosion. To make up for the lack of conductivity, you as well need a college gauge – i.due east., a thicker wire.
However, most electricians prefer aluminum for a few reasons. The downsides of copper are that it's expensive, heavy, and trickier to install. And that'south precisely why electricians often choose to use aluminum.
Here are the primary benefits of using aluminum wiring:
- Easier Installation: Aluminum is much lighter than copper – even when you account for the college gauge needed for proper conductivity. Since it's so lightweight, aluminum is fast and like shooting fish in a barrel to install. If yous want a task done quickly, aluminum is the solution.
- Cheaper: Bottom line, aluminum is more affordable than copper. It works well and doesn't break the banking concern.
The Short Respond: For a 200 amp service, y'all'll need a #4/0 aluminum wire.
Copper-Clad Aluminum
Copper-clad aluminum is your third selection, and information technology provides some of the benefits of both previous options. Let'southward compare information technology to the other two.
- Cheaper but Non Cheapest: Copper-clad aluminum is more affordable than pure copper simply more expensive than aluminum.
- More than Corrosion Resistant Than Aluminum: Copper-clad aluminum wire protects the aluminum from corrosion. Most aluminum needs an antioxidant coating connecting to the power terminal, but copper-clad aluminum doesn't need it.
- Practiced Electrical conductivity: Over again, copper-clad aluminum runs somewhat in the middle of the other 2 regarding electrical conductivity.
The Curt Respond: Like with aluminum, you'll need a #iv/0 copper-clad aluminum wire for a 200 amp service.
Other Factors to Consider
Before you brand your final conclusion, you demand to consider a few other factors.
- Voltage Drib: The voltage at your excursion breaker should be 120 volts. Voltage drib means how much power is lost as electricity moves along the wire to your devices and appliances. You can amend your voltage drop by increasing the gauge of your wire.
- Distance: Related to the voltage driblet, if you need power across distances longer than 50 anxiety, you'll probably want a copper wire. A #ii/0 copper wire and a #4/0 aluminum wire tin maintain less than a 3% voltage drop over l feet. To go beyond 50 feet, you lot'll likely need a higher guess copper wire.
- Local Building Codes: Brand sure y'all're familiar with the electric codes in your area by checking the National Electrical Code (NEC). You also need to exist certain you have all the permits required for this type of piece of work.
Oft Asked Questions
Explore our answers to some of the nearly frequently asked questions near what size wire for 200 amp service.
How Much Does it Price to Install 200 Amp Electrical Service?
Nigh of us are just looking to upgrade a 100- to 150-amp service. An upgrade to install a 200 amp electrical service costs between $750 and $2,000. The range depends on how much wiring y'all need, how much of an upgrade, etc. A full reset with a new circuit breaker, though, could price up to $four,500.
Can I Run a 200 Amp Subpanel off 200 Amp Principal?
While you technically tin do this, we would recommend looking into a 400A service. Check the ability usage overall to brand sure the subpanel isn't cartoon most of the power for just one or two applications.
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What Size Wire Should I Get for 200 Amp Service?
When upgrading your organisation to a 200 amp service, yous should look for #ii/0 copper wiring and #4/0 aluminum or copper-clad aluminum wiring. Use our guide higher up to make up one's mind which is suitable for you or if you might need any adjustments.
Recollect to learn nearly the regulations and permits in your expanse, and don't endeavor this without a professional person! Again, nosotros highly suggest getting a bid from an electrician. It's easy and free. Just click the green button in a higher place.
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