What size wire do I need for a 100 amp sub panel?

The cable must have a wire gauge sufficient to the amperage of the subpanel—a 100-amp subpanel requires #4 copper wires or, more commonly, #2 aluminum wires, for example. (Aluminum is often used for feeder cables because the cost is typically much lower than that of copper wires.)

What size wire do I need to run 100 amp Service 150 feet?





2/0 AWG wire

100 amp service 150 feet away from the sub panel requires #00 AWG wire (also known as 2/0 AWG wire). This wire has a median ampacity of 175 amps; more than enough than the required minimum 162.5 ampacity.

What wire do you use for 100 amp service?

For 100 AMP service, you’ll need a #4 AWG copper wire or #2 AWG aluminum or copper-clad wire. Make sure to limit your voltage drop to 3% regardless of distance.

What size breaker do I need for a 100 amp service?

20/24 panels can hold 16 full-sized and 4 twin breakers (24 circuits in total). The number of breakers can max out to 30-42, too, depending on the design of your 100-amp pane. However, NEC prohibits more than 42 circuits, so you can only choose between 20-42 breakers for a 100-amp panel.

What wire size do I need to go 100 feet for a 100 amp service to a workshop?





For a 100 ampere circuit, the conductors will likely be required to be 3 AWG copper or 1 AWG aluminum.

Will #2 wire fit in a 100 amp breaker?

A 100 amp sub panel wiring size requirement is #4 for copper wires and #2 for aluminum wires.

What size wire do I need for a 100 foot run?

The National Electrical Code (NEC) recommends a maximum voltage drop of 3 percent for individual household circuits (known as branch circuits). This is a good goal to shoot for when sizing the conductors for an underground cable.
For 240-volt circuits:

14 AWG 100 feet
10 AWG 128 feet
8 AWG 152 feet
6 AWG 188 feet

How many amps will #6 aluminum wire carry?

Allowable Ampacities of Insulated Aluminum or CopperClad Aluminum Conductors

Conductor Size (AWG/KCMIL) 60°C (140°F) TW, UF 75°C (167°F) RHW, THHW, THW, THWN, XHHW, USE, ZW
8 35 40
6 40 50
4 55 65
3 65 75

How far can you run #2 aluminum wire?



Example calcuation 2 – Aluminum Wire, 1 phase power

Cable run: 400 ft. 1 conductor per phase utilizing a 1000 kcmil Aluminum conductor installed Direct Buried will limit the voltage drop to 2.61% or less when supplying 194 amps for 400.0 feet on a 240 volt 1 phase system.

Can you feed a 100 amp sub panel with a 50 amp breaker?

Just wire it up. There is no problem using a sub panel that can take more current than you will ever feed it. Points to note: The cable to your hot tub will be rated for 50A (not 100A); therefore you must not upgrade the breaker in your main panel to 100A.

How much load can a 100 amp panel handle?



In other words, a 100-amp electrical service should be expected to provide no more than 19,200 watts of power load at any given time.

How do I choose wire gauge?

To determine what gauge wire you need, consider the carrying capacity and the amount of current the wire needs to conduct (measured in amperage or amps). Wire gauge is directly related to how many amps you need to run through it. The distance you need the wire to go can also impact the gauge of wire you need.

Should I use 12 or 14-gauge wire?

12 gauge wire has less resistance but enough thickness that helps in conducting electricity safely. A 14 wire has more resistance than a 12 gauge wire. This makes the 12 gauge wire better for you.

Which is thicker 8 gauge or 10 gauge wire?

The general rule of thumb is that the smaller the gauge number, the thicker the cable. The standardized method of measuring the thickness of a cable was established in 1857 in the United States.

How many amps can 18-gauge wire handle?



An 18-gauge wire can handle about 16 amps of current. It is one of the smaller wires in diameter and is commonly used for low voltage lighting.

What can you use 18 gauge wire for?

18-gauge are used for low-voltage lighting and lamp cords in 10 amps. 16-gauge are used for light-duty extension cords supporting 13 amps. 14-gauge are usedfor light fixtures, lamps, lighting circuits with 15 amps.

Can you use 18 gauge wire for 120v?

18 gauge wire is safe to use at low currents. It would be recommended to fuse it though. BUT, doorbell wire is not a safe option at 120 volts. Most likely it is not intended for use above 48 volts.

Can you connect 18 gauge wire to 16-gauge?

Yes the 16-gauge will work just fine. Make sure your connections are well insulated.

Can you use 18 gauge wire instead of 22?



Thicker wire – higher ampacity rating and lower resistance. Electrically it is ok to use 18AWG instead of 22AWG.

Can you connect 16 gauge wire to 12 gauge?

Strip the 12 gauge wire extra long so it goes all the way through the butt connector with the tip extending just a bit out of the metal barrel. Then insert your 16 gauge wire into the other end so it’s side-by-side with the 12. That’ll give you the build you need for a good crimp.