This corrosion can cause shorts and other electrical issues, so most installers recommend aluminumĬlad-copper wire (sometimes also called ACAW) in these cases because the base metal is copper and therefore does not corrode as badly when compared to aluminum alone.īelow is a list of reasons why someone would choose to use aluminum wire instead of copper wire. This can make it difficult to deliver maximum power to your home while also ensuring that bad wiring causes no damage or hurtful fires.Īnother issue with longer runs of aluminum wiring is that the connection points will corrode more quickly than they would with steel and copper wiring. Why Choose Aluminum or Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire?Īs stated above, aluminum wires lose voltage over a given length due to resistance. That if your service calculates to use #2/0 copper for 100 amps but you choose #4/0 aluminum instead, then you could be losing up to 50 amps of power because the wires are too small.
AluminumĪnd aluminum clad wires look very similar to copper wiring in their appearance and general installation practices, but they lose more voltage over a given length of wire due to resistance.
Copper wiring is typically cheaper than aluminum or aluminum clad wiring, so it may cost you less in the long run. & connectors by preventing overheating and resistance buildup.Ĭhoosing to use copper wiring will provide the best protection from surges and also protect your equipment in case of bad wiring. Sticking with larger wire sizes like this not only keeps your equipment running efficiently, but also increases the lifetime of both wires Using anything smaller than #2/0 copper wire will increase your voltages (and maybe even start melting wiring).
#200 amp wire size full#
These are the safest wire sizes because they will allow you to use the full amperage of your electrical service without too high of a voltage To safely use a 200 amp electrical service, you will need to use #4/0 Aluminum, Aluminum Clad Wire, or #2/0 Copper. Subtract each reading from its neighbor on either side until you have found anĪverage drop for all readings taken between those two points. Your lowest reading will likely be 20-30 feet away, closest to where you want to plug in equipment. Your highest reading will be from directly on top of your power source.
#200 amp wire size generator#
The more distant from the source (such as generator or transformer) you are, the more you will find that it drops off. Using a voltmeter, measure the voltage at various points along your electrical service. Please note that installing a 200 amp service is not a simple DIY project and should only
#200 amp wire size install#
Whenever you decide to install a 200 amp electrical service, the size wire you need to use is determined by the distance of your run and the voltage drop allowable. What Size Wire For 200 Amp Electrical Service? Full Guide
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