What Size Wire Is Used For 100 Amp Service

If you desire to install a 100 amp electrical service for a discrete garage or a new room improver, yous must utilize the proper gauge wire. To consummate the skilled piece of work, y'all'll need a let. Check with your local building department to see if you can become the permit or whether you'll crave the assist of an electrician.

Installation of 100 amp electric service or subpanel needs a #four AWG copper wire or #2 AWG aluminum or copper-clad wire inside a minimum one.25 inch, schedule 40 or 80 PVC electrical conduit for hole-and-corner service. Wiring 100 amp service for a garage or room addition does require an electric permit and professional installation by a qualified electrician following local electric codes.

Homes today accept a 200 amp meter box connecting to the primary feeder breaker disconnect and then to a secondary panel (subpanel). A 100 amp secondary circuit breaker console has individual excursion breakers bringing additional circuits to a designated surface area, like a garage, shop, shed, pool business firm, or addition.

Size Wire for 100 Amp Service

AWG, American Wire Gauge, is the The states standard for sizing electrical wiring.

Wiring a 100 amp billow panel requires either #four copper wiring or #2 aluminum or copper-clad wiring. Which wire used is adamant past the voltage drop and length of the wiring.

The following tabular array reflects wiring size, length, and voltage drop:

Service or Feeder Rating	Copper Wire	Aluminum or Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire	Minimum Conduit Size
100 Amps	#4 AWG	#2 AWG	1.25 inch
110 Amps	#3 AWG	#ane AWG	1.25 inch
125 Amps	#2 AWG	#1/0 AWG	1.25 inch
150 Amps	#1 AWG	#2/0 AWG	1.25 inch
175 Amps	#i/0 AWG	#iii/0 AWG	1.5 inch
200 Amps	#two/0 AWG	#iv/0 AWG	1.5 inch
225 Amps	#3/0 AWG	250 kcmil	one.5 inch
250 Amps	#4/0 AWG	300 kcmil	2 inch
300 Amps	250 kcmil	350 kcmil	ii.5 inch
350 Amps	350 kcmil	500 kcmil	three inch
400 Amps	400 kcmil	600 kcmil	iii inch

Source: National Electrical Code

Many licensed electricians apply #2 copper-clad or aluminum wire size. Because information technology has a lower conductivity than copper, aluminum wiring requires a larger bore wire. You'll demand a #two gauge wire for both aluminum and copper-clad aluminum wire.

To resist corrosion, the connection terminals of aluminum wiring require an antioxidant coating. At the connexion terminals, copper-clad aluminum does not need an antioxidant layer.

Aluminum wiring appeals to many since information technology is less expensive, lighter, and more flexible than copper. Even though copper is acknowledged to be a superior conductor, it is still cheaper, lighter, and more flexible than aluminum.

For copper wiring, yous'll need a #four AWG copper wire that is commonly used for electrical wiring since information technology is more than heat resistant than aluminum. Copper doesn't rust and is unaffected past oxidation.

Why Copper Wiring is Preferred over Aluminum

Copper conductors are pop amidst electricians and homeowners alike for co-operative circuits. Copper wiring has several advantages, including:

Conductivity: Copper wire is a highly conductive material, second just to silver. Copper can handle a greater electric demand, so you may use a lower gauge wire. For the same level of conductivity, copper wire is around half the diameter of aluminum wire.
Heat Resistant: Copper wire is more than heat-resistant than aluminum wire since it has better heat conductive properties. The connections on the lugs stay tight due to the fact that copper wire does non expand and contract like aluminum.
Corrosion Resistant: Copper is resistant to corrosion. The color of the outer surface of copper changes when it patinas. Oxidation causes patina, which does non affect conductivity.
Malleability: Copper wire is more malleable and conductive than aluminum wire. Considering copper is highly conductive, the wire strands are thinner, allowing for greater malleability without risk of breaking.
Distance: Copper may exist used over greater distances owing to its highly conductive characteristics and heat tolerance.

Pros of Aluminum or Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire

Stranded aluminum or copper-clad wire is more pop on service entry cable for a diversity of reasons, including:

Upkeep Friendly: Due to its lower price, aluminum wiring is popular. Aluminum copper-clad wire is superior in terms of price but less expensive than aluminum wiring. Aluminum wiring is a lot more affordable than copper-clad and copper wires.
Installation is Quicker: Aluminum is lighter than copper and much more malleable in terms of wire gauge. Electricians savor working with it considering it is lightweight and readily passes through the electrical conduit, resulting in faster installation and lower material and labor costs.

When calculating wire size, you must know the length of the service line from the meter base to the electrical console. The maximum voltage driblet permitted is 3%, and we will hash out it in greater depth shortly. Choosing betwixt aluminum or copper wire depends on how far your service entry wire needs to travel.

The Length Your Service Wire Runs Matters

When calculating wire size, yous must know the length of the service line from the meter base to the electric panel. The maximum voltage drop permitted is 3%, and we volition discuss it in greater depth before long. Choose between aluminum or copper wire depending on how far your service entry wire needs to travel.

Depending on the location, distances may vary. Cheque with your local building department for regulations.

Y'all tin use aluminum or copper for a 100 amp service entry wire. The aluminum wire's reduced conductivity and estrus resistance will increase the estimate. You tin can use copper wiring for greater distances.

What is Voltage Driblet?

Voltage driblet is the loss of voltage that occurs over the wire due to natural resistance.The greater the length of a wire, the more voltage is lost. Increase the wire gauge to starting time voltage loss.

The voltage at an individual circuit breaker should be 120 volts. Using a voltage meter, take a reading at the appliance or the farthest device. Voltage drib shouldn't exceed 3% (117 volts on a 120-volt circuit or 233 volts on a 240-volt circuit).

How Many Wires You Need for 100 amp Service

Your electrical current load requirements determine the correct gauge wire you'll need. The 3-wire cable run from the meter base to the primary disconnect box or main service panel consists of two hot wires and one neutral wire. Electric bonding joins the bars on the neural and ground bars.

The feeder cablevision is a 4-wire, comprising two hot feeder wires, 1 neutral wire, and one ground wire. You don't bond the neutral and ground bars in subpanels.

What Size Conduit You Need for 100 Amp Service

A 100 amp service will need a minimum of 1.25 inches, schedule xl or 80 PVC gray electrical conduit. You can employ a larger conduit if necessary to maintain the inner fill of twoscore% or less. A 1.5 or two-inch conduit is best if running three or more electric wires within the same electric conduit.

In Chapter 9, Table 5A of the 2020 NEC, #2 Aluminum stranded insulated conductors accept upwardly 112.9mm^two of fill space. If yous multiply 112.9mm²past 3 gives you lot a total of 338.7mm² of fill space used by the entire feeder.

According to Chapter nine, Table 4 of the 2020 NEC, a 1.v″, Schedule 80 PVC conduit has 442mmⁱⁱ usable fill up in rigid schedule 80 PVC conduit.

For case, y'all may use a one.five-inch conduit or get larger if you want to pull the wires more easily. If two or more wires are nowadays, the surface area of the cables must not exceed 40% of the piping's internal book.

You'll demand to bury the conduit 24 inches deep in most areas. Some areas may crave a deeper trench. A trenching tool like a ditch witch can speed the trenching procedure.

When choosing an electrical conduit, Schedule 80 PVC is thicker and can handle more pressure than Schedule forty PVC. The outer diameter is the same for both pipes. Yet, because Schedule fourscore PVC is thicker, you'll take less inner fill infinite.

Check Local Electrical Codes & Allow Requirements

The National Electrical Code (NEC) is the say-so for electrical codes, only they may differ by location. Using a licensed electrician familiar with your city's local rules and requirements, such as 100 amp electrical service, ensures that it meets them.

The 100 amp wire size mentioned in this mail service is from the NEC code and may differ from your local building code. The NEC standards periodically modify or are enhanced to meet safety guidelines.

100 Amp Electrical Service Installation Costs

The cost of installing a 100 amp entry service in a dwelling house is near challenging to estimate. We must consider several variables, such as the location of the installation and whether there are whatsoever additional services required.

Installing a 100 amp electrical service usually entails the following elements: a 100 amp feeder wire, conduit, and a 100 amp sub panel.

Based on HomeAdvisor.com, the national average cost of acomplete 100 amp electric installation costs $1500 to $4,500, with average costs of $3,000, includes the following:

100 Amp Electric Panel:Average cost ranges from $500 to $1500, with a median cost of $1000.
100 Amp Feeder Wire:Boilerplate cost ranges from $1000 to $3,000, with a median cost of $2,000.

Conclusion

Installing a 100 amp electric service or subpanel requires professional installation by a qualified electrician. Installing a 100 amp subpanel needs a #four AWG copper wire or #2 AWG aluminum or copper-clad power feeders inside a minimum 1.25 inch, schedule lxxx PVC conduit for secret service. Information technology requires an electrician's professional installation following local electrical codes.