It is always best to consult a professional for wiring a house or building. A regular-sized wire may be fine for underground service, but certain aspects of this type of wire make it unsuitable for some applications.
The following information can help you determine the right size wire for 200 amp service underground.
What Size Wire For 200 Amp Service Underground?
For underground 200 amp service, the wire should be 2/0 AWG. The size of the wire you require will vary according to the voltage and amperage of the service. Generally, the aluminum wire should be 4/0 AWG. Steel armored wire of #2 AWG or greater should be fitted to a 200 amp underground utility box.
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The size of the wire may vary depending on the material. Listed below are the sizes of copper and aluminum wires when using 200 Amp underground.
Copper wire:
In general, a 2/0 gauge copper wire is used for a 200 amp service underground, but other gauges may be necessary based on the application. For underground installations, use at least a #2/0. Copper wire gauge #3/0 is recommended for underground installation.
The wiring will provide sufficient protection against lightning.
Aluminum wire:
For a 200 amp underground service, the size of aluminum wire you’ll need depends on the service type and its ampacity. However, a rule of thumb is that #4/0 AWG aluminum wire is suitable for 200 Amp underground.
Aluminum wire #6/0 can be used for ampacity, but it must be ensured that it will not adversely affect the signal by running it too close to the ground or other conductors.
What kind of wire do I need for a 200 amp service? What is the best wire for underground?
With underground installation, you have the option to use aluminum or copper. A heavier gauge wire installed underground will only increase the chances of a bad contact due to corner effects if it is installed on crushed aggregate.
AWG #3/0 is a good choice due to its standard distribution ampacity, and the problem will be virtually eliminated.
Because copper and aluminum both have advantages, there are a lot of manufacturers that cater to underground services. Anyway, aluminum wire is perfect for self-shielding conductors when it comes to grounding.
How many wires do I need for a 200 amp service?
The 200 amp service will require at least two AWG wires. To be certain, it is important to always double-check the requirements of your specific service. Wires with a thicker gauge can handle more electrical current, so they are better when it comes to gauging.
The price, however, is higher. A combination of thicker and lighter wires may be the best option. The distance between the wire and the service should also be considered. The wire will carry less power the farther it is from the service.
It is not recommended to run more than two wires underground.
Why use aluminum or copper-clad aluminum wire?
Aluminum is the best conductor to use for your underground wiring due to the advantages listed above. They are, however, very expensive in comparison with other materials, so not everyone will be able to afford them.
Fortunately, alternative materials have many advantages as well.
Copper is an excellent conductor:
Conductor wires are traditionally made of copper. You should consider its advantages and disadvantages when choosing a service conductor material. As aluminum wires are so expensive compared to copper, some companies produce them.
Even at pennies afoot, it’s going to be more expensive initially than either. Yes, on second thought, such wire can give over 7 times as much as silver or gold.
Reduced electrical resistivity is crucial especially in high current electrical transmissions and for protecting the driven equipment.
Coated metal can handle more power:
Aluminum clad with copper is a special type of copper wire that has been plated with metal on both sides. Due to its good conductivity, it can handle more power than regular copper wires.
An excellent option is copper-clad:
Copper cladding is another option worth considering. Copper is an excessively polar metal. Copper or aluminum wires cannot handle as much current as copper or aluminum. Unless the current is broken by something else, once it conducts power, it continues to conduct power.
Make sure there are no other electric cables near your underground service. A silver pole receptacle is a better choice than gold because silver is more resistant to corrosion damage than gold, which is not too expensive but not as good as copper.
How do you ground a 200 amp service panel?
Depending on the configuration of your home’s electrical system. You probably have one large wire or maybe a few smaller ones running into your panel box and then down through various outlets to power everything in the house. This is how you ground a 200 amp service plan.
Locate the service panel and circuits:
Find the service panel. Pop the case off and then make sure all of the wires are connected. This will allow you to identify the power/neutral and ground terminals.
Some or all circuits are to be fed from more than one place on a single panel, so check to see if they are loose on fittings or disconnected from their source.
Grounding the system:
Make sure the ground electrode is suitable for the circuit. Use a metal object, like a screwdriver or an electrical outlet casing that’s plugged in at the time, and lightly touch it to both sides of the wire connected to the service panel.
Mark your ground location with painter’s tape if necessary and replace the panel. A high-voltage circuit or one with a green ground wire may need an EMI shield.
Connect the wires:
Make sure that any loose wires are secured. Let all your electrical appliances sit until you need them again. Make sure you can easily reconnect anything you unplug. It can cause a dangerous accident if the power goes out or a fire breaks out, such as damaging cabinets/doors.
You should use heavy tools while being careful not to get electrocuted yourself, causing more extensive damage.
The finishing touches:
Check your appliances one at a time for problems with ground or power after replacing the service panel. Everything should now work as it should.
Tips for installing a 200 Amp service underground
When your service is high amp-like 200 or more, underground could be a good choice. Below are some tips on how to install a 200 Amp underground service.
Make sure you use quality wire:
Choosing the best quality underground wire for 200 amp service is the first step. A 4 conductor solid copper wire (6-AWG) and 20 gauge copper cable is all you need.
Some of the benefits of insulated power cables include reduced buckling, twists per foot, reduced line noises, and increased amp capacity.
Start a new service:
Each new service run must be insulated. PVC sheathing is the norm indoors, but it can be used outdoors if the temperature does not drop below 25 degrees F. Wrapping each 4-6″ run in 16 gauge electrical tape creates an airtight seal and prevents moisture from penetrating.
Use a ground rod:
For copper wires underground, use a ground rod at least 8′ long to ensure a good connection. To avoid voltage jumps, a ground rod should also be installed at a potential ‘fish hook’ location.
Choosing the right place:
It is time to determine the location of the service entrance once the wire has been installed. Use a continuity meter or tester to verify that there is no power running through the underground conduits.
Make note of both tapping locations for later installation of service cables on your survey map.
Minimizes Disruption:
Use trenchless technology when installing new service entrances to minimize disruption to the ground surface. You can also hire a contractor specializing in this type of installation.
Preventing soil or pipe damage by excavating a hole large enough for the main cable, and then tamping down around it. Upon completion of the installation, backfilling and compacting take place naturally, making any visual signs of the service interruption virtually undetectable.
Final Thoughts
It is recommended that wires of at least #2 gauge be used for high amp connections such as 200 and above. To ensure proper conductivity, experts suggest using copper or aluminum. You must use at least two copper wires of gauges #3/0 to #2/0 for a safe electrical connection.