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What Size Wire for 200 Amp Service at 300 ft. Distance

Have you been thinking about rewiring certain parts of your house? Confused about all the electrical lingo and angry at the lack of information? Fret not, we’re here to help.

What size wire for 200 amp service 300 ft. distance?

You will need to use #2/0 copper wire for 200 amp service 300 ft. distance. If you find that too expensive, you can get #4/0 AWG aluminum wire. Installed it inside a range of 1.5-inch-diameter schedule 40 or 80 PVC conduit. If you’re placing a 200 amp you will need to get a permit. You can also hire a professional.

You’re in quite luck, my friend, because we’re here to help. 

What Size Wire for 200 amp Service 300 ft Away Should You Use?

AWG, or American Wire Gauge, is the American specification regarding structured cabling sizing. A 200 amp distributor must be wired for #2/0 copper or #4/0 aluminum cabling. The potential difference and thickness of the connection dictate which cable is utilized.

Service or Feeder RatingCopper WireConduit SizeAluminum or Copper-Clad Wire
100 Amps#4 AWG1.25 inch#2 AWG
110 Amps#3 AWG1.25 inch#1 AWG
125 Amps#2 AWG1.25 inch#1/0 AWG
150 Amps#1 AWG1.25 inch#2/0 AWG
175 Amps#1/0 AWG1.5 inch#3/0 AWG
200 Amps#2/0 AWG1.5 inch#4/0 AWG
225 Amps#3/0 AWG1.5 inch250 kcmil
250 Amps#4/0 AWG2 inch300 kcmil
300 Amps250 kcmil2.5 inch350 kcmil
350 Amps350 kcmil3 inch500 kcmil
400 Amps450 kcmil3 inch600 kcmil

The table above explains the wire sizes for 200 Amp service at 300 ft distance. But the wire size for 100 amp service at 150 feet is drastically different. 

Making Use of Copper Conductors

If your finances allow, we recommend employing a copper circuit. Copper is superior to aluminum for a myriad of purposes. It was the most extensively utilized form of cable for over 200 years. 

Dwelling with a high load capacity can utilize copper. Since it can easily withstand the 200 amp connection you are adding. Don’t be concerned about the copper cable turning black. 

The Advantages of Copper Wiring

Whenever it concerns cabling, copper is the material of choice. You can enjoy a lot of advantages by using copper wire, namely

  • Copper has a greater range. Copper’s high thermal endurance allows it to be used throughout extended journeys.
  • Copper wire seems to be more stable at high temperatures than aluminum alloy. The wire connections on fittings remain resilient because copper cable doesn’t grow and compress like aluminum.
  • Copper has greater pliability. Since copper is so efficient, the cable segments are smaller. It permits the wire to twist more readily without snapping.
  • In terms of voltage permeability, copper wire is closest only to silver. Copper has a greater voltage loading capability. This requires less shielding and a shorter wire gauge. Copper wiring is roughly half the size of aluminum cabling for similar permeability.
  • Copper is a mineral that is non-corrosive. Matte finish is a stain formed on copper as a result of chemical reactions. It has no influence on its transmission. Copper is a mineral that is non-corrosive. 

Aluminum vs Copper-Clad Aluminum: Which One Should You Use?

If you’re on a limited income, aluminum will suffice. It’s much less expensive than copper. But this does not carry power as well. Therefore, if you wish to utilize aluminum, we suggest taking a look at copper aluminum.

It improves the conductivity of aluminum and prevents it from weakening as much. It will require you to invest a little more, but you’ll be delighted you did. Alloy tends to stretch and shrink with heat. This can also lead the cabling to become slack over the duration. This also ends up posing a fire risk.

Why Should You Use Aluminum Wire or Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire?

There are a number of explanations for why you might want to use aluminum wire. They are:

  • Aluminum is a light metal. Despite the harnessing being almost double that of copper, aluminum is light and reasonably malleable. This enables aluminum to be more manageable to handle.
  • Alloy is lighter and more pliable than copper. It could be erected faster rapidly, keeping costs down.
  • Since it’s much more inexpensive, the aluminum cable is favored. Alloy cabling becomes less costly to make than copper wire. Although copper-clad aluminum cabling is preferred, it is much more costly than aluminum wiring. When rewiring a large house costs add up, so you can use aluminum cable.
  • It is much more suited to household environments. Aluminum support cabling is composed of tiny cast aluminum threads. 

Haven’t ever used aluminum-clad copper wire before? If not then why don’t you take a look at some of these aluminum-clad copper cables:

Product 1
Product 2

The Length of the Service Wire’s Operation

Alloy and copper cables have a service rating of 200 amperes. Because of its weaker permeability and thermal properties, the aluminum meter will be greater. Copper wire can be utilized for longer distances.

When determining the cable length, keep in mind how long the connection cord will be. The most significant energy decrease is around three percent. The terminal energy frequently determines what kind of wire can be used in the process.

It also determines the thickness needed. The length of your service entry wire will influence whether you should use aluminum or copper wire. The wire size for a 220 air conditioner is not going to be the same.

Service Wire SizeMaximum Distance
Copper #2/0 Wire50 feet
Copper #3/0 Wire100 feet
Copper #4/0 Wire150 feet
Aluminum #4/0 Wire50 feet
Aluminum 300 kcmil100 feet

FAQs

Question: How much wire do I need for a 200 amp sub panel?

Answer: Since the 250 KCMIL cables offer a 255A ampacity, it’s ideal for a 200 amp transmission.

Question: How much amp will a 200 amp board be able to withstand?

Answer: A 200-amp circuit must not be able to withstand more than 160 amps in one go. You can still have 300 or maybe even 400 amps of switches in a 200A panel. Since they do not really just use connections at almost the same time. The number of circuit breakers you require is also determined by your home’s load demand.

Question: Is it possible to power a fridge with a 200-watt solar array?

Answer: Yes, a 200 W solar array can power a refrigerator. But I can’t power all models of refrigerators. It is influenced by the magnitude and energy usage of the refrigerator. A 200W solar panel would generate approximately 0.8 and 1.1 kWh each day.

Final Words

We’ve covered everything on what size wire for 200 amp service at 300 ft distance. 

This article should’ve just resolved all of your queries and cleared up any lingering confusion. It also answers which kind of cables you should use and why. 

If you have any questions or you can’t carry out the procedure, contact a professional.