Skip to content

What Size Wire for a 200 Amp Service?

For a 200 A single-phase dwelling service, the NEC allows 2/0 AWG copper or 4/0 AWG aluminum (310.12 83% rule). A general 200 A feeder sized from Table 310.16 needs 3/0 AWG copper / 250 kcmil aluminum.

Minimum wire size for 200 amps

ApplicationCopper (75°C)Aluminum (75°C)
Branch circuit / feeder (Table 310.16)3/0 AWG250 kcmil
Dwelling service / main feeder (310.12)2/0 AWG4/0 AWG
Worth knowing: 4/0 aluminum SER/USE is the near-universal choice for a 200 A residential service: it's legal under the NEC 310.12 83% rule for dwelling services, not the general 310.16 table.

Assumes 75°C-rated terminations (NEC 110.14(C)). Both assume no more than three current-carrying conductors in a raceway at 30°C ambient. Derating, continuous loads, and local amendments can change the answer: confirm with a licensed electrician.

Ground wire for 200 amps

GroundCopperAluminum
Equipment ground, 200 A feeder to a subpanel (Table 250.122)6 AWG4 AWG
Electrode conductor, 2/0 AWG Cu service (Table 250.66)4 AWG2 AWG
Electrode conductor, 4/0 AWG Al service (Table 250.66)4 AWG2 AWG

The electrode conductor runs from the service to the ground rods, Ufer or water pipe; to rods alone it never has to exceed 6 AWG copper (NEC 250.66(A)), and aluminum may not terminate within 18 in of the earth (NEC 250.64(A)). The equipment ground applies when the same rating feeds a subpanel. Every size, with a worked upsizing example, is in the ground wire size chart.

How far can you run it? (voltage drop)

Keeping voltage drop under the recommended 3% at a 160 A load (80% of the breaker), 3/0 AWG copper is good for roughly:

System voltageMax one-way run (3/0 AWG Cu)
240 V≈ 292 ft

Past these distances, step up one gauge. Run your exact length and load through the voltage drop calculator.

What runs on 200 amps

  • Standard main service for modern homes
  • Heavy feeder

Parts for a 200 A service

Since the 2020 NEC (230.67), a new or replaced dwelling service must have surge protection: a Type 2 SPD at the panel is how most 200 A services meet it.

We earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It does not change what we recommend. See our affiliate disclosure. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

All surge protector picks

Frequently asked questions

For a 200 A single-phase dwelling service or main feeder, the NEC 310.12 rule allows 2/0 AWG copper or 4/0 AWG aluminum. A general (non-dwelling-service) 200 A feeder sized from Table 310.16 needs 3/0 AWG copper or 250 kcmil aluminum at 75°C.

Ask AI about this

Open an AI assistant with a question grounded in this page.

ChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok
Full wire & breaker chartVoltage drop calculatorGround wire size chartHome electrical load calculator

Other amperages

Cite or link to this pageAPA · MLA · Chicago · HTML

Free to cite, quote and link. Copy a ready-made citation: the link back is all we ask.

APA

WattSimple. (2026, August 16). What Size Wire for a 200 Amp Service? https://wattsimple.com/wire-size/200-amp

MLA

"What Size Wire for a 200 Amp Service?" WattSimple, 16 Aug. 2026, https://wattsimple.com/wire-size/200-amp.

Chicago

WattSimple. "What Size Wire for a 200 Amp Service?" Last modified August 16, 2026. https://wattsimple.com/wire-size/200-amp.

HTML link

<a href="https://wattsimple.com/wire-size/200-amp">What Size Wire for a 200 Amp Service?</a> (WattSimple)