Hi, friends in this post we will have a look at what Size of Wire I Need for a 100 Amp Sub Panel. The accurate wire size for installation of the 100 Amp sub-panel is the main factor. To have good and effective power distribution the wires that connect the main electrical panel with the panel must be accurately sized. In this post, we will have a look at the installation of a 100 Amp sub-panel accurate wire size used for it. Let’s get started with 125 amp wire size.
Introduction to 100 Amp Sub Panel
- A 100 Amp sub-panel, that is connected at some distance from the main electrical panel works as an extra circuit breaker panel. It helps power distribution to certain areas or circuits that require higher power than the curent panel value. The accurate wire size used for the bases of applications such as home installation, industries, or other uses.
100 Amp Wire Size
Base don contract to utility service capacitor amper can be about 100 amps and be about 100 amps. The 100 amps service is bare currently. There are two service entrance conductors needed one set in the Drip loop and met base and the other between the meter base and the main service panel.
The 3 common types of conductors used are copper, aluminum, and copper-clad aluminum. Based on the conductor, 100 amp wire size can be different.
Wire/Conductor Size for 100 Amp Service | ||
Copper | Aluminum | Copper-Clad Aluminum |
AWG 4 | AWG 2 | AWG 2 |
AWG 4 | AWG 2 | AWG 2 |
Factors to Consider
Distance between the main panel and sub-panel
The voltage loss or length of the cable is affected by the distance between the panel and the subpanel. With the distance decrement voltage decreases. To confirm that there is enough voltage at the sub panel must follow the factor used during the wire selection
Voltage drop calculations
- Voltage loss is helpful to find the voltage loss according to distance and load. These values confirm that the wire connected can offer the required volts to the panel without loss
Wire material and type
- Wire type and its material are also good for measuring wire size. Copper and aluminum are used for wire material. Every material has its features so before using them consider them
Wire Gauge Selection
- The American Wire Gauge system, which gives each wire size a certain number used to find wire gauges. The AWG wire values can be easily understood since a larger wire means it has a low AWG value.
- Different factors such as distance and voltage loss must be considered for choosing the correct wire size for the sub-panel. Normally a 3/0 AWG copper wire or a 4/0 AWG aluminum wire is used for sub-panel installations.
Copper vs. Aluminum Wire
Pros and cons of copper wire
- Copper wire provides good conductivity and resistance to corrosion, it is used in electrical wiring. Then teh aluminum wire of a similar gauge can handle high current. But the weight of alumni wire is less and prices are also less than copper wire
Pros and cons of aluminum wire
- While alumni wire is less weight so can be easily bent making the installation process easy and simple. But it can handle less current than copper wire of the same gauge. it needs additional handling like best condition use and prevention from oxidation
Wire Insulation Types
- The insulation is mainly for safety and operation with accurate wire size and composition. Differnt materials such as THHN, PVC, or XHHW, offer protection from different factors. it is good to use insulation that is supported by electrical code standards and has effective wire protection.
Install A 100 Amp Service Panel
Step 1: Electrical requirements
- it is good to check the electrical demand before connecting the 100 Amp service panel. Check the number of circuits and overall load used at the house or other location. COnfime that panel can handle increased load demand or upgradation needed. Further details can be discussed with a licensed electrician.
Step 2: Disconnecting Power
- it is good to off the supply with the existing panel before starting work. Find and off the main service, and disconnect the switch that lies outdoors close to the meter. To protect yourself from shocks use gloves and safety eyewear.
Step 3: Best location for the Service Panel
- There must be a proper place selected for the connection of the 100 Amp service panel. it can be easily accessed, repaired, and removed if needed. Ensure that the panel has appropriate space
Step 4: Upgrading the Service Entrance Cable
- There is a need to change the service entry cable if it is not 100 Amp rated to handle the higher electrical loads. The electrical meter is connected to the service panel through the service entry cable. Since this step needs working with high-voltage, get the service of a technician
Step 5: Installing 100 Amp Service Panel
After doing teh above-mentioned steps now install the 100 Amp service panel
- Connect the panel at the selected position and check that it is accurately connected
- the main breaker in the panel should connected with the service entry wire.
- Connect the breaker in the panel and make sure they are accurate in size and that other circuits are distributed in-house.
- Connects neutral and ground wires with panel connections.
- Before covering the panel confirm that all connections are accurately covered
Step 6: Circuit connection and Restoring Power
- Now connect circuits after the service panel is connected. Run teh cetin circuits wire from the panel to home outlets, switches, and lighting. Each circuit comes with a wire size and gets protection from the circuit breaker.
100 Amp Sub Panel Wiring Diagram
The wiring diagram for a 100 Amp subpanel is explained here
- There are differnt methods for wiring the 100 Amp Panel. But the best option for wiring is to get services for electrification.
How to connect Sub Panel
- During the installation subpanel first of all feeder cable connects to the subpanel from from panel. The 3-wire cab has 3 conductors and the bare copper ground wire is used. For the 100 amp sub panel there are #4 copper wires or #2 aluminum wires used
- Now connect two hot wires from the feeder cable to lugs at the live bus bar of the subpanel, make the connection of neural with a neutral bus bar and bare copper wire attached to the ground bus bar
connection with the Main Panel
- Now connects hot feeder wires with new 240 volts circuti breaker a main panel and ehn connects with neutral wires from feeder cable to required bus bar in the main panel. It also connects the feeder breaker in the main service panel with an open double-slot
Related: What Size Wire Should I Use for a 50 Amp Sub Panel?
How Many Circuits Can Be on a 100 AMP Sub Panel?
- Determine the load need: Find the required subpanel load value. The trial load of all devices and electronic components must be added
- Calculate the highest load: It is suggested not to use more than 80 percent load to subpanel capacity to avoid overloading. It means for a 100 amp subpanel higest load is about 80 Amps
- circuit ratings: Based on connected devices, every circuit has its rating value. Normally circuit ratings are 14, 20, and thirty amps. To get the highest number of circuits divide the higest load with the rating of circuits
Such as we can get the idea of 4 circuits for eighty amp loads that is (80 Amps/20 Amps = 4 circuits).
How Many AMPs Can a 100 AMP Sub Panel Handle?
- The desing of 100 amp can handle 100 amp load. It means all loads devices can have a total of 100 amp ratings
- It is good to note that as subpanel has a 100 amp rating and its load capacity for max efficiency is 80 percent.
- The highest value of 100 amp sub panel for continuous load is calculated as
100 Amps x 0.8 = 80 Amps
- So this subpanel can handle 80 Ampsl loads
- To make sure that the load connected is not larger than the subpanel capacity during adding circuits and devices consider the individual amperage ratings of single devices and total load.
100 amp wire size chart
What Size Wire is Good for 100 AMPs?
- Copper Wire:
- 2/0 AWG copper wire for a service panel that connected less than 100 feet from the main panel used
- With the large distance wire sizes increase.
- Aluminum Wire:
- 2 AWG, 1 AWG, or 1/0 AWG wire size for aluminum conductors
What Size Pipe Do I Need for 100 AMP Sub Panel?
- Conduit Fill: Conduit fill capacity is given in the (NEC) to confirm that accurate wire connection and minimize overheating. These factors define the wire quantity and size of conductors that can be used in conduit or certain values
- Wire Size: The system used by your house and the distance from the main pane and subpanel help to get the accurate wire size for a 100 Amp subpanel. copper wires in the sizes of 3/0 AWG or 2/0 AWG are used.
- Conduit Size:
- A 1 1/4-inch conduit can be best if you run a single 3/0 AWG copper wire or a single 2/0 AWG aluminum wire.
- For running more wires of high diameter use a larger conduit size. A 1 ½-inch conduit can be used if four 3/0 AWG copper wires are used
The wire sizes for a 125 Amp subpanel
- Copper Wire:
- Use 1/0 AWG copper wire for subpanels working for less than a hundred feet from the main panel.
- Aluminum Wire:
- aluminum wire gauge 2/0 AWG for subpanels used that are 100 feet or less from the main panel
125 amp aluminum wire size
The aluminum wire size for the subpanel is based on the distance from the main breaker panel.
- 1/0 AWG aluminum wire for a 125 Amp subpanel used for 100 feet distance
125 amp wire size chart
Wire Size | Copper Wire Dia | Copper Wire Dia |
---|---|---|
2/0AWG | 0.365″ | 9.27 mm |
3/0 AWG | 0.410″ | 10.41 mm |
4/0 AWG | 0.460″ | 11.68 mm |
Wire Size For 100 Amp Sub Panel 100 Feet Away
For different distances, voltage losses occur. This loss is not important at low distances but for longer distances such as 50, 100, 150 feet voltage losses are important and will be considered for it. For measuring voltage loss for 100 amp increase the ampere.
- First of all, needed to apply 80% NEC code rule.
- Measure the 20 percent voltage loss due to flow to 100 feet distance.
For measuring ampacity check 80 percent NEC code at zero fett distance 100amps needed. These 100 amps must be 80 percent of the ampacity of the wire. If 100 amps is 80 percent that wire size is
Min. Wire Ampacity = 100% × 100A / 80% = 125 Amps
So we needed wire of 150 ampacity to send 100 amp service 100 feet away.
Wire Size For 100 Amp Sub Panel 150 Feet Away
Wire Ampacity (150 ft away) = 125A × 1.3 = 162.5 Amps
There is a need of wire with 162.5 ampacity for sending 100 amps current at 150 feet distance.
Wire Size for 100A Breaker
Wire Ampacity = 100 Amps x 1.25 = 125 Amps.
Wire Size: #3AWG Cupper and (#1 AWG for Aluminum)
Where is 100 AMP Service Used?
It is based on the size of the home and the devices connected. The 100 amp service panle is for medium-sized houses and apartments that have 240 volts of devices connected such as AC systems.
100 amp service is not commonly used in larger size houses with electrical and gas devices connected that need high power. For this house, 150 amp or higher is needed.
10 amp service is not for houses more than 3000 square feet having AC. Some other uses of 100 service panle are workshops, garages, and temporary power supply.
Types of Copper Wire For 100-amp Service Panels
- THHN/THWN-2 and XHHW-XHHW-2 are used in conduit.
- USE-2 RHH RHW-2: It is used in underground service entrance devices
- Copper SER: It is used for panels and subpanels. Ensure to use a cable with the best ground size.
- Type MC cable: It has protective armor and is used without conduit
- UF-B cable: It is used for underground service and as a direct burial cable.
Types of Aluminum Wire For 100-amp Service Panels
- 2-2-2-4 Dyke Quadruplex Aluminum Conductor Underground Direct Burial 600V URD
- SER service entrance cable
- XHHW
- USE-2 (approved for underground service)
What size ground for 100 amps?
8AWG
What size wire for a 200 amp sub panel?
If you connect a 200 amp electrical service panle use copper or aluminum wire conductors. The NEC suggests 2/0 AWG for copper wire or 4/0 AWG for aluminum or copper-clad wire for 200 amp sub panel
Will 6 gauge wire handle 100 amps?
What size wire is good for 100 amps?
What is the max breaker size on 100 amp service?
What size wire for a 100 & 125 amp sub panel?
Copper Wire | Aluminum Wire | |
---|---|---|
100A | 4 AWG | 2 AWG |
125A | 2 AWG | 1/0 AWG |
150A | 1/0 AWG | 2/0 AWG |
200A | 2/0 AWG | 4/0 AWG |
How many watts can a 100 amp sub panel handle?
The 100 amp 120/240 volt service can handle 24000 wats. according to NEC’s 80 percent rule it can handle about 19000 watts or breakers totaling 80 amps.
Read ALso:
- 30 Amp Wire Size: What AWG Wire You Need?
- 125 Amp Wire Size and Breaker Guide
- 60 Amp Wire Size – Which AWG is Best for 60 Amp Breaker
- What Size Wire for 100 Amp Service
- What Size of Wire Do I Need for a 100 Amp Sub Panel?
- What is 4/0 aluminum wire rated for?
- Socket Size Chart – Socket Sizes in Order from Smallest to Largest
FAQs
Q1: What happens if we use the wrong wire size for a 100 Amp sub-panel?
Overheating, high voltage loss, and fires can be caused due to incorrect wire size. It also causes breaker trip and damages the connected devices
Q2: Can we use a smaller wire size for a shorter distance?
Through doing this if losses decrease then you must also check teh overall system working. But small wire can also causes less efficiency and have a higher chance of damage
Q3: Is it safe to use aluminum wire for a 100 Amp sub-panel?
If it is accurately configured aluminum wire for a sub-panel can be safe to use. But it needs some measures such as proper connections, prevention from oxidation
Q4: Can we install a 100 Amp sub-panel myself?
It be but it is suggested that must get teh services of technicians that have proper knowledge of installation
Q5: How do we determine the voltage drop for my sub-panel installation?
To measure the voltage loss consider the electrical load, wire gauge, and the distance between panels.
What size wire for a 100 amp sub panel?
The minimum wire size for a 100 amp sub-panel is 4 AWG copper or 2 AWG aluminum according to the 83% rule, which defines that the wire size can handle 83% of the amperage of the sub-panel. In these conditions, 83% of 100 amps is 83 amps, so the wire size can handle at least 83 amps.
Can 4 AWG handle 100 amps?
Yes, 4 AWG copper wire can carry 100 amps. So, it is the least wire is for a 100 amp sub panel.
How many amps can a 100 amp sub panel handle?
A 100 amp sub panel can handle 100 amps of current. the single circuits in the sub-panel must not cross the amperage rating of the wire. like if there are 4 AWG copper wires used, the circuits must not be larger than amps according to the 83 percent rule
What size breaker do I need for a 100 amp sub panel?
The size of the breaker needed for a 100 amp sub panel is defined based on the type of wire. If 4 AWG copper wire is used, there 100 amp breaker is used. for 2 AWG aluminum wires, use a 90 amp breaker