What Size Wire From Meter To 200 Amp Panel

What size wire for 200 amp service should you buy? If you're asking this question, you should definitely telephone call an electrician. Simply for your ain knowledge, we'll explain wire sizing and considerations in the guide beneath.

Disclaimer: The information included in this post is for informational purposes simply and should non be taken as legal, fiscal, or DIY advice. We highly suggest consulting a professional before attempting any DIY dwelling house improvements or repairs.

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What Size Wire for 200 Amp Service?

Smart homes and digital connectedness are the future for homeowners. Nosotros 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 arrangement to work for years to come up. But how practice you lot choose from the options?

The Quick Answer

Installing a 200 amp service requires a permit and professional feel. While you'll need a qualified electrician, it'due south skillful to know the nuts ahead of time.

For a 200 amp service, you'll demand:

#2/0 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 driblet, and the length of the wire. Don't worry – we'll explain each of these in detail below.

What Size Wire Do You Demand for 200 Amp Service

The size wire you demand for 200 amp service depends on the type of wire you're getting. Let's wait at the difference between a copper wire and an aluminum or copper-clad aluminum wire. And so we'll get into the factors yous should consider when choosing your wiring.

Copper Wiring

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Copper wiring is the best in the business. Its high conductivity, oestrus and corrosion resistance, and flexibility brand information technology ideal for wiring in any state of affairs. However, copper can exist more than expensive and more than complex to install. Here'southward everything yous need to know near copper wiring:

Loftier Electrical conductivity: Copper is a naturally highly conductive metallic . Only silver is meliorate at conducting electricity. Because it's great at conducting electricity, you can use information technology for much longer distances, and you lot tin utilise a much smaller estimate than for aluminum.
Estrus and Corrosion Resistant: While copper changes color from oxidation, those changes don't affect its performance. Copper is corrosion-resistant and will stand up the test of time. Information technology'south as well a lot more heat resistant than aluminum. Oestrus doesn't cause information technology to expand or flex nearly as much, so it stays in place.
Flexible: Since you tin use thinner strands of copper wire, it's much easier to bend and wrap without breaking.
In for the Distance: Again, since copper is and then highly conductive and sturdy, information technology'southward ameliorate for length and doesn't lose its voltage over longer distances.

Again, copper is probably the best material for wiring, but information technology does have downsides, which we'll bear on in the next section.

The Short Answer: When using a 200 amp service, you'll want a #2/0 copper wire.

Aluminum

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Aluminum has less conductivity than copper and also responds more quickly to estrus and corrosion. To make up for the lack of conductivity, you as well demand a higher estimate – i.east., a thicker wire.

Nonetheless, 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 frequently choose to utilize aluminum.

Here are the main benefits of using aluminum wiring:

Easier Installation: Aluminum is much lighter than copper – even when you business relationship for the higher estimate needed for proper conductivity. Since it's and then lightweight, aluminum is fast and easy to install. If you want a job done quickly, aluminum is the solution.
Cheaper: Bottom line, aluminum is more affordable than copper. It works well and doesn't interruption the bank.

The Short Answer: For a 200 amp service, y'all'll demand a #4/0 aluminum wire.

Copper-Clad Aluminum

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Copper-clad aluminum is your 3rd selection, and it provides some of the benefits of both previous options. Let's compare it to the other two.

Cheaper but Non Cheapest: Copper-clad aluminum is more than affordable than pure copper simply more than expensive than aluminum.
More Corrosion Resistant Than Aluminum: Copper-clad aluminum wire protects the aluminum from corrosion. Nigh aluminum needs an antioxidant coating connecting to the power terminal, simply copper-clad aluminum doesn't need it.
Good Conductivity: Again, copper-clad aluminum runs somewhat in the middle of the other two regarding electrical conductivity.

The Short Respond: Like with aluminum, you lot'll need a #4/0 copper-clad aluminum wire for a 200 amp service.

Other Factors to Consider

Before you lot make your last decision, you need to consider a few other factors.

Voltage Drop: The voltage at your excursion breaker should be 120 volts. Voltage drop ways how much ability is lost every bit electricity moves along the wire to your devices and appliances. You can ameliorate your voltage driblet by increasing the gauge of your wire.
Distance: Related to the voltage drib, if you lot need ability across distances longer than 50 feet, y'all'll probably want a copper wire. A #2/0 copper wire and a #4/0 aluminum wire tin can maintain less than a 3% voltage drop over 50 feet. To go beyond 50 feet, you'll likely need a higher gauge copper wire.
Local Building Codes: Make sure you're familiar with the electrical codes in your area by checking the National Electrical Lawmaking (NEC). Yous as well need to be sure y'all take all the permits required for this type of work.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Explore our answers to some of the most ofttimes asked questions about what size wire for 200 amp service.

How Much Does information technology Price to Install 200 Amp Electrical Service?

Nearly of us are simply looking to upgrade a 100- to 150-amp service. An upgrade to install a 200 amp electrical service costs between $750 and $ii,000. The range depends on how much wiring you need, how much of an upgrade, etc. A full reset with a new excursion breaker, though, could price upwardly to $iv,500.

Tin can I Run a 200 Amp Subpanel off 200 Amp Primary?

While y'all technically can do this, we would recommend looking into a 400A service. Bank check the power usage overall to make sure the subpanel isn't drawing most of the power for simply one or two applications.

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We may earn a committee when you lot click this link, at no actress cost to you.

What Size Wire Should I Get for 200 Amp Service?

When upgrading your system to a 200 amp service, you should look for #2/0 copper wiring and #4/0 aluminum or copper-clad aluminum wiring. Employ our guide above to make up one's mind which is suitable for you or if you might need any adjustments.

Call back to learn about the regulations and permits in your area, and don't endeavour this without a professional! Again, we highly suggest getting a bid from an electrician. It'southward like shooting fish in a barrel and free. Just click the green button to a higher place.