200 amp service wire sizing

[toyotadriver]

Around here, the most common wire size and type that you see for 240 volt service is aluminum 4/0 4/0 2/0 or occasionally you'll see aluminum 4/0 4/0 2/0 2/0.

What is the recommended wire sizes for 200 amp service and why?

Thanks.

 

[chickenhauler]

I used 3/0 copper for mine. Pricey, but I don't like aluminum wire on or in my house. A lot depends on your electric company. Mine only required 3 lines, and then #6 ground at the service breaker.

 

[Aceman]

I used 3/0 copper for mine. Pricey, but I don't like aluminum wire on or in my house. A lot depends on your electric company. Mine only required 3 lines, and then #6 ground at the service breaker.

There's nothing wrong with aluminum wire feeding your home.

There are a gazillion homes in the US wired with 4/0 4/0 2/0 AL. But if spending more money on copper helps you sleep at night.....

 

[ishiboo]

There's nothing wrong with aluminum wire feeding your home.

There are a gazillion homes in the US wired with 4/0 4/0 2/0 AL. But if spending more money on copper helps you sleep at night.....

Agreed. The terminations of aluminum SE in the main panel have proven basically bulletproof. All the issues were with switch/receptacle connections. Everyone uses aluminum feeders around here.

 

[mrb]

are you actually speaking to service entrance conductors? Or a feeder?

 

[toyotadriver]

There's nothing wrong with aluminum wire feeding your home.

There are a gazillion homes in the US wired with 4/0 4/0 2/0 AL. But if spending more money on copper helps you sleep at night.....

My house, built in 2008, has 4/0, 4/0, 2/0 aluminum wire 200 amp service.

 

[toyotadriver]

are you actually speaking to service entrance conductors? Or a feeder?

Service entrance.

 

[mtne]

2011NEC - Table 310.15(B)(7) Service or Feeder rating - 200A - 2/0 copper or 4/0 aluminum

Why? 'Cause it's the code. And you only want three wires for the service entrance.... hot, hot, noodle.........

 

[v8garage]

Around here, the most common wire size and type that you see for 240 volt service is aluminum 4/0 4/0 2/0 or occasionally you'll see aluminum 4/0 4/0 2/0 2/0.

What is the recommended wire sizes for 200 amp service and why?

Thanks.

Where is "around here"?
V/8

 

[mtne]

Where is "around here"?
V/8

Good point.......... No idea what code is outside of the USA..... and it can vary depending on where you are which edition is accepted and then it always falls to the AHJ to say what goes.

Shouldn't be too much, or any variance with services tho....

 

[toyotadriver]

Around here is MO.

Rural areas have no codes to comply with.

 

[Norcal]

Around here, the most common wire size and type that you see for 240 volt service is aluminum 4/0 4/0 2/0 or occasionally you'll see aluminum 4/0 4/0 2/0 2/0.

What is the recommended wire sizes for 200 amp service and why?

Thanks.

That depends what the SE is for... Anything other then a dwelling & it's not correct.