How To Wire 200 Amp Service Disconnect

When installing a 200 amp electrical service, you need to be certain you utilise the correct gauge wire. You'll need a let to do the professional installation. Many areas even so allow homeowners to obtain their permits. You lot'll demand to check with your local building department to know if you can get the let or if yous'll need the help of an electrician.

Installation of 200 amp electrical service needs a #2/0 AWG copper wire or #4/0 AWG for aluminum or copper-clad wire inside a minimum of 1.5 inches, schedule 40 or 80 PVC conduit for clandestine service. Nonetheless, 2 or ii.5 inches is recommended if running 3 wires in the same conduit.

Wiring 200 amp service requires an electric permit and professional installation by a qualified electrician in accordance with local electrical codes.

Power is received from the utility service lines and flows through the exterior electrical meter base and into the chief electrical panel in an attached garage, basement, or interior room.

Wire Sizes for 200 Amp Service

AWG, American Wire Estimate, is the United states of america standard for sizing electric wiring.

Wiring a 200 amp feeder requires either #2/0 copper wiring or #iv/0 aluminum or copper-clad wiring. Which wire is used is determined by the voltage drop and length of the wiring.

The following table reflects wiring size, length, and voltage driblet:

Service or Feeder Rating	Copper Wire	Aluminum or Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire	Minimum Conduit Size
100 Amps	#four AWG	#2 AWG	ane.25 inch
110 Amps	#iii AWG	#i AWG	1.25 inch
125 Amps	#two AWG	#1/0 AWG	i.25 inch
150 Amps	#ane AWG	#2/0 AWG	1.25 inch
175 Amps	#i/0 AWG	#3/0 AWG	one.v inch
200 Amps	#2/0 AWG	#4/0 AWG	1.v inch
225 Amps	#iii/0 AWG	250 kcmil	i.v inch
250 Amps	#4/0 AWG	300 kcmil	ii inch
300 Amps	250 kcmil	350 kcmil	2.v inch
350 Amps	350 kcmil	500 kcmil	3 inch
400 Amps	400 kcmil	600 kcmil	three inch

Source: National Electrical Code

Many electric contractors opt to use #iv/0 aluminum or copper-clad wire.

For copper conductors, you'll demand a #2/0 AWG copper wire unremarkably used for electric wiring because it is more heat resistant than aluminum. Copper won't rust and is resistant to oxidation.

For aluminum or copper-clad aluminum wiring, you'll need #4/0 AWG aluminum wiring. Aluminum wiring requires a larger diameter wire because it has a lower conductivity than copper. Aluminum wiring requires an antioxidant coating at the connection terminals to resist corrosion. Copper-clad aluminum doesn't require an antioxidant coating at the connexion terminals.

Aluminum wirings entreatment widespread because information technology costs less, is lightweight, and is more flexible than copper, even though copper is considered a better conductor.

Why Copper Wiring is Preferred over Aluminum

Electricians and homeowners alike prefer copper wiring, particularly for co-operative circuits. Copper wiring has many benefits, including:

Electrical conductivity: Copper wire is a highly conductive metal, second only to silver. Copper can handle a higher electrical load, and then you can use a smaller gauge wire. In fact, copper wire is nearly half the diameter of aluminum wire for the same conductivity.

Rut Resistant: Copper wire conductive properties make the wire more than rut resistant than aluminum wire. Copper wire does non expand and contract like aluminum which ways the wire connections remain tight on lugs.

Corrosion Resistant: Copper is resistant to corrosion. Patina is a greenish-tarnish that changes the outer color of copper. Patina forms by oxidation, still, do not affect the conductivity.

Malleability: Because copper is highly conductive, the wire strands are thinner, making the wire more malleable without the adventure of breaking.

Distance: Copper conductors tin be used over longer distances due to its highly conductive properties and heat resistance.

Pros of Aluminum or Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire

We only discussed why copper is preferred; however, copper-clad and aluminum wire sizes are more popular on service entry wire for several reasons, including:

Upkeep-Friendly: Aluminum wire is preferred due to its lower toll. Aluminum conductors are cheaper to produce compared to copper conductors. Aluminum copper-clad is better but does cost more than aluminum wiring. Aluminum costs much less than copper-clad and copper wires.

Faster Installation: Aluminum is lighter than copper and very malleable for its larger wire gauge. Electricians find is easy to piece of work considering is lightweight and feeds well through the electrical conduit which makes for faster installation and lowers textile and labor costs.

Aluminum wiring expands and contracts with heat which causes the wire connection to loosen over time, raising the risk of an electric fire. Aluminum service wiring is a group of smaller solid aluminum strands rather than one solid wire, making the aluminum wire safety to employ in residential homes.

The Length Your Service Wire Runs Matters

When calculating wire size, yous demand to know how far the service entrance wires will run from the electric meter base to the electrical panel. The maximum voltage drop (we will discuss presently) allowed is 3%. The altitude your service entry wire needs to travel will determine whether yous use aluminum or copper wire and gauge necessary.

Service Wire Size	Maximum Distance
Copper #2/0 Wire	l feet
Copper #3/0 Wire	100 feet
Copper #four/0 Wire	150 feet
Aluminum #four/0 Wire	fifty feet
Aluminum 300 kcmil	100 anxiety

Distances may vary by location. Check with your local building department for requirements.

Y'all can use aluminum and copper for a 200 amp service entry wire. However, the aluminum judge volition be higher due to its reduced conductivity and oestrus resistance properties. You tin employ copper wire over a longer distance.

What is Voltage Drop?

Voltage drib is the loss of voltage that occurs over the wire due to natural resistance. The longer a wire runs, the more voltage loss that occurs. The size wire judge has to increase to start the voltage drop.

The voltage at the excursion breaker should be 120 volts. Using a voltage meter, have a reading at the appliance or the farthest device. Ideally, yous should not have a voltage drib higher than three%. For a 120-volt electrical circuit, the voltage drib should be no less than 117 volts. As well, on 233 volts on a 240-volt electrical circuit.

How Many Wires You Need for 200 amp Service

The type of wire you lot need volition vary depending on your electrical system. The run from the meter base to the master disconnect box or main console is three-wire, consisting of 2 hot wires and ane neutral wire. The neural and ground bars have electrical bonding connecting the bars.

The feeder run from the master electrical console to the interior distribution panel (subpanel) is 4-wire, consisting of two hot wires, i neutral wire, and one ground wire. Y'all don't bond the neutral and basis bars inside subpanels.

What Size Conduit You Demand for 200 Amp Service

An electrical console has knockouts for connecting electrical feeder conduit. You can use either a 2-inch or ii.5-inch conduit based on the make full space yous intend to occupy within the conduit. If 3 or more wires are inside the conduit, the maximum fill space of 40%.

In Chapter 9, Tabular array 5A of the 2017 NEC, a #4/0 Aluminum stranded conductor takes up 176.3mmⁱⁱ of fill space. If you multiply 176.3mm² by four gives yous a total of 705.2mm² of fill infinite used past the entire feeder.

According to Chapter ix, Table 4 of the 2017 NEC, a 2″, Schedule fourscore PVC conduit has 742mm² usable make full.

So, a 2″ conduit will suffice, or you can upsize to 2.5″ if you wish for ease of pulling. Keep in mind that the area of the wires must be less than 40% of the internal space of the piping when 3 or more than wires are nowadays.

What Size Footing Wire for 200 Amp Service

The NEC is the electric code used in the Usa. The minimum size for a grounding wire for 200 amp is #4 AWG copper or #2 AWG aluminum, according to Article 250 of the 2020 NEC.

The size of the main usher may demand to increment for a variety of reasons, including the length of the run, available fault current, or whatever number of reasons. The NEC is a safety guide. Local municipalities fix and adopt code guidelines. Phone call a local electrician or your city for specific guidelines.

GROUNDING ELECTRODE CONDUCTOR SIZING (Table 250.66)

Size of Primary Panel	Copper Conductors	Aluminum or Copper-Clad Aluminum
125 Amps	#eight AWG	#6 AWG
150 Amps	#6 AWG	#4 AWG
200 Amps	#four AWG	#2 AWG

What Size Basis Rod for 200 Amp Service

A ground rod needs to be at least 5/8″ (0.625) in diameter and at least 8 to x feet long with a clamp and the advisable basis wire. The footing rod needs to be driven eight feet deep into the ground and cut back close to the ground. The wire and clench are secured tightly to the top of the ground rod.

Where there is a lot of electricity in the footing, a thicker #iii size wire may be required. 2 ground rods are necessary for regions where soil electrical resistance is high because of new lawmaking requirements.

Use the right type of grounding rod. Pipe or rebar tin also be used for grounding. The grounding rod must be galvanized steel and should be at least eight feet long.

How Many Ground Rods for 200 Amp Service

A ground rod that does non run across the NEC's 25 OHMS or less requirement necessitates using a second basis rod, with the basis rods being at least 6′ apart.

Y'all install a ground rod for a system, and the offset ground rod has a resistance of 25 ohms or more. Co-ordinate to the NEC, y'all must install a second grounding rod. On the other mitt, many contractors do not take ground resistance into account. They anticipate driving ii ground rods to satisfy 250.56'south standards regardless of actual ground resistance. Every bit a event, two ground rod connections are typical just aren't e'er necessary.

The NEC article 250.53(B) requires you to space grounding rods at to the lowest degree 6 feet autonomously connecting by a grounding wire. However, this spacing is a minimum. When using the typical viii-foot or ten-foot ground rod, you go the best results by spacing them at least sixteen or 20 feet apart, much farther than the minimum half-dozen-pes spacing.

Check Local Electrical Codes & Permit Requirements

Electrical codes are set by the National Electrical Code (NEC) only can vary by location. Using a qualified electrician ensures your 200 amp electric service meets local codes and permit requirements.

The 200 amp size wire referred to in this article is from the NEC lawmaking and may vary from your local building code. Your local lawmaking will adopt or change the NEC codes to fit their requirements.

Before the utility service tin connect ability to the house, y'all'll need a Document of Occupancy (CO). The let allows for a final inspection to connect the electric service. The CO is issued later on the electrical piece of work has passed the building inspection.

200 Amp Electrical Service Installation Costs

It'south nearly incommunicable to accurately cost the toll of installing a 200 amp entry service in a business firm. We need to consider numerous factors, similar location, the corporeality of work required, and material costs in your area. Installing a 200 amp electrical service typically includes installing a 200 amp service wire, conduit, meter base, and a 200 amp electric console.

Based on HomeAdvisor.com, the national average toll of a complete 200 amp electrical installation costs $1,900 to $7,250, with boilerplate costs of $4,650, includes the post-obit:

200 Amp Service Panel: Average toll ranges from $750 to $2000, with a median cost of $1375.
200 Amp Meter Base: Average cost ranges from $150 to $400, with a median cost of $275.
200 Amp Service Wire: Average cost ranges from $one thousand to $5,000, with a median price of $3,000.

Co-ordinate to MidPenn Electric, a leading electrical contractor in Pennsylvania, "a new 200 amp service can cost anywhere from $4,200 to $5,000". Therefore, the HomeAdvisor cost averages seem to exist reasonably accurate.

Conclusion

Installing 200 amp wire is not a DIY project for homeowners. Wiring a 200 amp panel is a big projection that requires the services of a qualified and certified electrician. You lot may require a permit to install a 200 amp service. The electric service volition need to exist disconnected entirely in existing homes to install the 200 amp service.

Also, encounter our guide, Wire Size for 100 Amp Electric Service.