![]() A table of different wire sizes for 80 amps.How do you calculate the right breaker and wire size?.What size of wire do you need for an 80 amp sub-panel?.What size of ground wire do you need for an 80 amp service?. ![]() What size of wire do you need for an 80 amp breaker?.What size of wire is needed for an 80 amp service?.Adjust based on whether your service is single-phase or 3-phase.Īlso, always consider the variables above when pinpointing the exact wire size that will be suitable for your specific requirements. When answering the question “What size wire for a 600 amp service?” just remember the recommended guidelines and values mentioned here. Is revised and published every 3 years, with the most recent version being the 2023 NEC. ![]() Is adopted in some form as law in most U.S.Provides minimum standards for electrical safety to protect people and property from electrical hazards.It is part of the National Fire Code series published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The National Electrical Code (NEC) is a set of standards for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment in the United States. Introduction to the National Electrical Code (NEC) Here’s a table of the requirements for your easier reference:ģ50 kcmil copper or parallel 400 kcmil aluminum, 2-12″ EMT (or 3″ for long runs) The National Electrical Code (NEC) mandates ground wire sizing based on the overall amp capacity. In addition to phase wiring, properly grounding the service is equally important. This duplicates the current capacity to a total of 620 amps (310 x 2), providing a safe buffer above the 600 amp rating. This avoids operating wires at excessively high temperatures, which degrades insulation over time.įor the 600 amp application, I would recommend installing two 350 kcmil copper wires per phase. Industry best practice recommends using parallel wire runs instead of a single large conductor. When choosing wiring for a 600 amp 3 phase electrical service, you’ll have to properly size conductors and grounding. Selecting the Appropriate Wire Size for a 600 Amp 3-Phase Ensuring appropriately sized grounding maximizes safety. The NEC provides ground wire sizing guidance. Ambient Temperature Impacts Sizingīigger wires can handle higher temperatures and more current. Longer wire lengths mean higher resistance and voltage drops. Conductor Length – Bigger Wire for Longer Runsīuilding wiring can vary from short panel feeds to 100 foot+ branch circuit runs. For a short run to an adjacent panel, a 1-2% drop is fine. ![]() The NEC recommends keeping voltage drop under 3% at the farthest electrical outlet in a branch circuit. Excess voltage drops can lead to poor equipment performance or shutdowns. Longer wire runs to the electrical panel will experience higher voltage drops. This allows equivalent wire sizing for copper and aluminum conductors.Īgain, a 600 amp service wire size of 1500 kcmil copper or 2000 kcmil aluminum will do the job.Īnd because a parallel feed is recommended for practicality (1500 kcmil and bigger wires are harder to acquire, and working with these sizes is time-consuming) two 350 kcmil copper wires or two 500 kcmil aluminum wires will suffice. The NEC provides adjustment factors to account for differences in resistance and ampacity. Copper has lower resistance, so a smaller size handles the same amperage as aluminum. You can use either copper or aluminum wires for a 600 amp, 240V service.
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