

In any case, make sure to consult a licensed electrician before you install the new service. If copper isn’t available, you can use copper-clad aluminum, or special copper fittings on the ends of the aluminum wire. Copper is better conductor of electricity than aluminum, which may interfere with the flow of electricity. When installing the new service, the length and type of ground wire will determine the size. The length of the grounding rods must be at least four feet. The grounding rod is made of copper, which is a good conductor of electricity.

The grounding wire connects the service ground connection to the rod, which is connected to the grounding system. The neutral wire connects to the larger lug on the neutral buss bar. The grounding system is comprised of three wires: hot and neutral. The NEC also specifies minimum conductor sizes. The NEC is a guide to safety, but local municipalities set their own code guidelines. Depending on the length of the wire and the fault current, the size may need to be larger. What size wire do I need for a 200 amp service?Īccording to the National Electrical Code (NEC), a minimum size of ground wire for a 200 amp service is two-inch, four-gauge copper or aluminum. The task can be daunting, so it is important to research local rules and electrical codes thoroughly. In addition, you should get a permit if you are not familiar with electrical work. You should hire an electrician to do this job as local electrical codes will differ.

This chart is larger than the AWG chart.ĭepending on your local electrical codes, you can install a 200-amp service with a wire size of #2/0 AWG or #4/0 AWG. If you are not sure what size ground you need for 200 amp service, you can consult the KCMIL chart. You can also use #000 AWG wire, also known as 3/0 AWG. The wire should have at least 250 Amps of ampacity. Generally, the service provider recommends that you use a minimum of a two-foot ground rod. Here are some guidelines for you to follow: Local municipalities are also responsible for determining these guidelines. The amount of fault current may require a larger primary conductor. What size ground for 200 amp service? According to the National Electric Code (NEC), the minimum size for grounding wire is #4 AWG copper or #2 AWG aluminum. The National Electrical Code (NEC) sets the guidelines for safe electrical installation, but local municipalities have their own codes. Depending on the length of the run and available fault current, the primary conductor size may vary. For example, a home that uses four AWG copper for the service’s grounding wire should use two AWG aluminum for the service’s primary conductor. The size of wire and ground for 200 amp service depends on your needs and your home’s electrical code.
