8/2/2020 Electrical wire sizes & Diameters: table of Electrical Service Entry Cable Sizes & Ampacity - Electrical

Electrical capacity or size: How to estimate th…

InspectAPedia ® Question? Just ask us! Search

InspectAPedia

Free Encyclopedia of Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair

HOME SEARCH AIR CONDITIONING DAMAGE

ASSESSMENT ELECTRICAL ENERGY SAVINGS ENVIRONMENT EXTERIORS FORENSICS HEATING HOME INSPECTION INDOOR AIR IAQ INSULATION INTERIORS

MOLD CONTAMINATION NOISE ODORS PLUMBING ROOFING SEPTIC SYSTEMS SOLAR ENERGY STRUCTURE VENTILATION WATER SUPPLY EXPERTS DIRECTORY COST
ESTIMATOR CONTACT US

Electrical Service Entry Cable Sizes, Branch

Circuit Wire Sizes & Ampacity Tables
POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about electrical wire sizes, diameters, and ampacity ratings

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website

Electrical wire sizes & gauges:

These Tables of Electrical Service Entry Cable Sizes, Electrical Circuit Wire Diameters, Circuit Ampacity, Allowable Voltage Drop, & Wir
Size Increase based on Run Length assist in determining the electrical service size or other required electrical wire sizes at buildings.

We include tables of aluminum or copper wire sizes for long runs of service entry cables.

This article series gives photos and tables of electrical service entry cable sizes, electrical branch circuit wire sizes, bell wire, telephone
wire, thermostat wire, and ampacity or fuse/circuit breaker ratings.

We also provide a MASTER INDEX to this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information
you need.

Service Entry & Electrical Cable or Wire Sizes vs Amps vs Run Length
Here we discuss and present a table of electrical wire sizes, ampacity, and fuse or
circuit breaker sizes for common residential electrical wiring circuits. What is the
diameter of service entry electrical cabling? What are the common diameters of
household copper or aluminum electrical wiring?

What is the diameter of thermostat wire, telephone wire, bell wire?

How to determine the size, capacity, or ampacity of electrical service at a building.

Illustration of common electrical wire sizes for both service entry cables and in-
building electrical circuits: wire size versus circuit ampacity and fusing requirement.

[Click to enlarge any image]

This article series explains how to estimate the electrical service size, (or "electrical
power" or "service amps") at a building by visual examination of the service entry
cables, electric meter and meter base, electrical service panel, main switch, and other details.

Article Contents

SE CABLE SIZES vs AMPS - page top

https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_SEC_Sizes_Amps.php 1/12
8/2/2020 Electrical wire sizes & Diameters: table of Electrical Service Entry Cable Sizes & Ampacity - Electrical capacity or size: How to estimate th…
BASICS of WIRE SIZE CHOICES
WIRE SIZE TABLE gauge or wire size No. vs. circuit ampacity for SECs and branch circuit wires
WIRE TYPE vs TEMPERATURE RATING TABLE
WIRE SIZE INCREASE for LONG RUNS
WIRE SIZE INCREASE using VOLTAGE DROP CALCULATORS
VOLTAGE DROP INDEX TABLE - allowable voltage drop in circuits
SE CABLE SIZES FOR LONG WIRE RUNS - detailed tables

Watch out: also be sure to review SAFETY HAZARDS & SAFE ELECTRICAL INSPECTION PROCEDURES for examining Residential
Electrical Panels.

Introduction to Choosing Electrical Wire Size

It's not as difficult as one may think to get a reasonable handle on the electrical
service capacity at a building without sophisticated analysis. But there are some
pitfalls that can make for big mistakes in your guess at the service ampacity for a
property, and the process itself is dangerous.

In answering the question "How do I determine the service amperage?" start by

taking a look at the service entry cables outside and at their entry into the electrical
panel.

A quick look can tell us if the property is served by 240V or only a 120V service, eve
before measuring the gauge or wire thicknesses that we discuss below.

In the photo above on this page we can see a three wire mast-head, suggesting that the building has a 240V service. But we did not like
the position of that weather-head, and we considered that water may be entering the SEC.

The amperage provided by the electrical service entrance cable is a function of its materials and diameter. Often the actual cable
type and size is printed right on the cable insulation. Otherwise some rough measurements of cable diameter are in order.

If, inside the panel, the inspector could see the ends of the entrance cable [Figure at left], measure metal wire diameter, and if the
inspector knew the manufacturer of the cable and its specifications, a certain identification of the cable's ampacity could be made.

However a safer, faster and common practice is to examine the exterior of the cable at a point outside of the electric panel.

Many SECs include printing right on the external jacket of the cable that will tell you the number of conductors, the metal (AL or CU), an
the wire size.

Watch out: Make sure you look at both outside (mast head down to meter) and inside (from meter into service panel).

They may be different! Inside the panel, stripped of ground and insulation, you may see only wires as in Figure 3. Don't confuse guides
for external measurements of the whole cable with in-panel measurements of the wires themselves.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Carson Dunlop Associates' sketch (above) shows common electrical wire sizes for both service entry conductors (SECs) and in-building
branch circuit wiring.

We use to use a plastic vernier caliper or other non metallic instrument to measure external (insulated) width of the whole cable a
a reasonable guess at wire ampacity. Some inspection tool companies sell, and others give-away a plastic "wire gauge" with notches
labeled to tell electrical inspectors the cable size for aluminum and copper SECs. Or you can make your own.

But this method is not precise. Plastic insulated cable, for example, is often thinner in total thickness than older fabric-covered cable.
Look at the table of wire dimensions in the accompanying article.
https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_SEC_Sizes_Amps.php 2/12
8/2/2020 Electrical wire sizes & Diameters: table of Electrical Service Entry Cable Sizes & Ampacity - Electrical capacity or size: How to estimate th…
Fortunately for building inspectors, even though wire thickness varies among manufacturers, you can generally find the measurement
closest to one of the standard sizes and you're likely to be correct.

For a simplified table matching service entry cable SEC size to ampacity

see SERVICE ENTRY WIRING & AMPACITY

Branch circuit electrical wire sizes such as the #14 copper electrical wire shown just below are also included in the tables in this article.

Above is a close-up photo of a #14 copper wire against a millimeter scale. The divisions on the scale of my metal ruler each represent 1
mm. You'll see that this wire looks as if it's about 1.5 mm in diameter. - Thanks to reader Max for careful reading 2018/06/14

The actual wire diameter of #14 copper wire can vary among manufacturers and wire types.

In the wire size table below give the typical diameter of #14 copper wire as 2.05 to 2.32 mm or about 0.081 - 0.092 inches.

The tables and notes below expand and provide detail about the ampacity and temperature ratings of various wire sizes and gives a
brief history of U.S. NEC wire sizing table changes. For copper wiring the following wire sizes and ampacity ratings or fuse/circuit
breaker sizes are common on 120V residential electrical circuits.

Table of Common Electrical Wire Sizes and Amps or Fuse Ratings - Residential
SEC Cable & Other Wire Ampacities for 1-3 Current-Carrying Conductors in Cable, Earth, or Raceway For 120/240-volt
systems sized between 100 and 400 amperes

AMPACITY Rating
Electrical
AMPACITY Rating
ALUMINUM Wire

Electrical Conductor COPPER

Wire Conductors Overall
Wire Size or Gauge - Comments
Wire Conductors Also for Copper-Clad Diameter
AWG or kcmil Aluminum Wire
Recommend Max (approximate)
Fuse Rating Recommend Max
inches / mm
Fuse Rating

Conductor Rating Conductor Rating

Temperature of 60 / Temperature of 60 /
75 / 90 °C 75 / 90 °C

Typical solid conductor telephone or

"Bell wire" / 0.5mm bell wire size, thermostat wire, or 12-
24V wire for controls

20 0.036 / 0.91 Also used for thermostat wiring [1]

0.046-0.040 / Usually used for thermostat and HVAC

18 - / - / 14
1.16-1.02 control wiring

0.058-0.051 / OK for thermostat and HVAC control

16 - / - / 18
1.46-1.29 wiring

14 15 / 20 / 25 Not Used 0.073- .064 / Smallest size normally used for

https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_SEC_Sizes_Amps.php 3/12
8/2/2020 Electrical wire sizes & Diameters: table of Electrical Service Entry Cable Sizes & Ampacity - Electrical capacity or size: How to estimate th…
1.84-1.63 household 120V wiring (copper 15A)

20 / 20 / 25

15A in common Smallest size normally used for

0.092-0.081 /
12 20 / 25 / 30 house wiring household 120V wiring (aluminum
2.32-2.05
15A)
applications
ca 1970's

.116-.102 /
10 30 / 35 / 50 25 / 30 / 35
2.93-2.59

.146-.128 /
8 40 / 50 / 55 30 / 40 / 45
3.7-3.26

.184-.162 /
6 55 / 65 / 75 40 / 50 / 60
4.66-4.11

4 70 / 80 / 95 55 / 65 / 75 .232 / 5.88

2 95 / 115 / 150 75 / 90 / 100[5] .292 / 7.42

1 110 / 130 / 145 85 / 100 / 115[5] .332 / 9.43

1/0 or 0 125 / 150 / 170 100 / 120 / 135[5] .373 / 9.46

2/0 or 00 145 / 175 / 195 115 / 135 / 150[5] .419 / 10.6

.471-.470 /
3/0 or 000 165 / 200 / 225 130 / 155 / 175[5] 12.0-11.9

About the largest wire size likely to be

4/0 or 0000 195 / 230 / 260 150 / 180 / 205[5] .528 / 13.4
found at residential electrical SECs

Notes to the Table Above

1. See Articles 100 (maximum amperage a conductor can carry under conditions of use without exceeding its temperature rating) and
Article 310 of the U.S. National Electrical Code (NEC). The U.S. NEC can be purchased from electrical suppliers and online from
nfpa.org.

Since some readers request historical data on electrical code provisions we note that the data in this article has been excerpted /
adapted from the U.S. National Electrical Code. The locations of wiring size vs ampacity ratings changed in the 2011 NEC and again in
the 2014 NEC.

Prior to the 2011 NEC wire size vs ampacity table data was provided in NEC Table 310.16. Many sources continue to quote this table.

Beginning in 2011 the pertinent wire sizing tables were found in NEC Table 310.15(B)(2)(a) (Ambient Temperature of 30°C) and NEC
Table 310.15(B)(2)(b) (Ambient Temperature of 40°C). Ampacities of not more than three current-carrying conductors in raceway, cable,
or earth, were typically based on an ambient temperature of 86°F / 30°C.

This excerpt from the 2014 NEC explains:

310.15(B)(7) For one-family dwellings and the individual dwelling units of two-family and multifamily dwellings, service and feeder
conductors supplied by a single-phase, 120/240-volt system shall be permitted be sized in accordance with 310.15(B)(7)(a) through (d).

(a) For a service rated 100 through 400 amperes, the service conductors supplying the entire load associated with a one-family dwelling
or the service conductors supplying the entire load associated with an individual dwelling unit in a two-family or multifamily dwelling shal
be permitted to have an ampacity not less than 83% of the service rating.

(b) For a feeder rated 100 through 400 amperes, the feeder conductors supplying the entire load associated with a one-family dwelling
or the feeder conductors supplying the entire load associated with an individual dwelling unit in a two-family or multifamily dwelling shall
be permitted to have an ampacity not less than 83% of the feeder rating.

(c) In no case shall a feeder for an individual dwelling unit be required to have an ampacity greater than that of its 310.15(B)(7)(a) or (b)
conductors.

(d) Grounded conductors shall be permitted to be sized smaller than the ungrounded conductors provided the requirements of 220.61
and 230.42 for service conductors or the requirements of 215.2 and 220.61 for feeder conductors are met.

https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_SEC_Sizes_Amps.php 4/12
8/2/2020 Electrical wire sizes & Diameters: table of Electrical Service Entry Cable Sizes & Ampacity - Electrical capacity or size: How to estimate th…
Informational Note No. 1: It is possible that the conductor ampacity will require other correction or adjustment factors applicable to the
conductor installation.

Informational Note No. 2: See example in Annex D.

2. Assuming the electrical current in these wires is AC or DC at 60Hz or less.

3. The U.S. National Electrical Code NEC 240-3 requires that the electrical branch circuit, feeder wire, and electrical service conductors
shall be protected against overcurrent in accordance with their ampacity ratings as specified in NEC Table 310-16.

4. Additional NEC rules that pertain are in NEC Sections 210-20 (a), 215-3, and 384-16(d). Also NEC Section 240-6(a) gives a list of
standard wire sizes and overcurrent protection (fuse or circuit breaker) required.

5. For dwelling units, conductors, as listed below, shall be permitted as 120/240 volt, 3 wire, single phase service-entrance conductors,
service lateral conductors and feeder conductors that serve as the main power feeder to a dwelling unit and are installed in raceway or
cable with or without an equipment grounding conductor.

For application of this section, the main power feeder shall be the feeder(s) between the main disconnect and the lighting and appliance
branch-circuit panel board(s) and the feeder conductors to a dwelling unit shall not be required to be larger than their service entrance
conductors. The grounded conductor shall be permitted to be smaller than the ungrounded conductors provided the requirements of
Sections 215.2, 220.22 and 230.42 are met.

6. For information about copper clad aluminum wiring see COPPER-CLAD ALUMINUM WIRE

The three different ampacity ratings shown for most of the wire types above reflect the wire types and temperature ranges as shown in
the table below.

Table of Wire Types vs. Temperature Ratings Reflected in the Wire Ampacity Chart Above

Temperature Rating Wire Types

60°C TW, UF

75°C RHW, THW, THWN, THHW, XHHW, USE

90°C RHH, RHW-2, XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH, THHW, THWN-2, THW-2, THHN, USE-2

Notes to the table above

1. Excerpted / adapted from the U.S. National Electrical Code for 2002 for ampacities of not more than three current-carrying conductor
in raceway, cable, or earth, based on an ambient temperature of 86°F / 30°C

2. Assuming the electrical current in these wires is AC or DC at 60Hz or less.

Increase in Electrical Wire Size for Long Distance Wire Runs

Question: at what circuit length do I need to increase the wire size to allow for voltage drop?

(Oct 23, 2015) Anonymous said:

What size wire should run from my meter to the main fuse box and does distance affect this?

Apr 28, 2015) Grant said:

What is the maximum distance for 10 gage wire, 30 amp circuit ,Direct burial 10-3 UF ? 1 hp motor

(Aug 1, 2015) Anonymous said:

what size wire would i have to use to run from a 200 amp 240 v disconnect to a structure that is 1300 feet away to avoid unacceptable
voltage drop? prefer to use aluminum.

2016/02/09 JD said:
What size wire do i need to run from a 200 amp pole service to a house 450 feet away?

Reply: crude rule of thumb: up one size for each 100 ft. of run

The voltage drop in a wire run has to remain within code limits, that's how we get to larger wire sizes for long runs. There are online
voltage drop calculators for which of course you need to plug in wire size, type, length, and the electrical load or current.

However many electricians simply jump up one wire size for each 100 feet of run length.

https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_SEC_Sizes_Amps.php 5/12
8/2/2020 Electrical wire sizes & Diameters: table of Electrical Service Entry Cable Sizes & Ampacity - Electrical capacity or size: How to estimate th…
A more engineering approach is cited at the Mike Holt's electrical forum where a reader says as an engineer he calculates the voltage
drop (and thus the need for a larger wire size) when the run length of the circuit exceeds voltage rating of the circuit.

If we try this approach, for a 15A copper wire circuit using #14 copper wire in a typical household 120V circuit, if the circuit length
exceeds 120 ft. the voltage drop must be calculated (or "considered").

This gives a result close to the first rule of thumb that argued just increase the wire size one step for each 100 ft. of run.

For a costly SEC run it would be smart to have your engineer calculate the actual voltage drop for the actual length and choose the
larger wire size accordingly.

Voltage drop is not discussed at length in the U.S. NEC, except in Article 647 that addresses "Sensitive Electronic Equipment". There,
the U.S. National Electrical Code PP 674.4. Wiring Methods, Paragraph (D) Voltage Drop states:

(D) Voltage Drop. The voltage drop on any branch circuit shall not exceed 1.5 percent. The combined voltage drop of feeder and branch
circuit conductors shall not exceed 2.5 percent. - 2002 NEC Article 647.4(D)

Watch out: "rule of thumb" approaches to electrical wiring may produce unsafe results, particularly where higher voltages or service
entry wiring questions are involved.

And as we suggest above, using a rule of thumb on SEC wiring may also produce unnecessary costs. In general, voltage drop is a
particular concern in low voltage wiring systems (such as 12V or 24V solar systems) while maximum current carrying capacity is a
greater concern in higher voltage systems (such as a 120V residential circuit).

Electrical Service Entry Wire Sizes Needed for Longer Run Lengths

Maximum Run Length in Ft. vs AWG Wire Size, @ <= 3% Voltage Drop, 120V per SEC Conductor

25 ft. 50 ft. 100 ft. 150 ft. 200 ft. 300 ft. 400 ft.

Wire Material AMPS Wire Size AWG

Copper 100A 4 4 1 2/0 3/0 300 kcmil 500 kcmil

Aluminum 100A 2 2 2/0 4/0 300 kcmil 600 kcmil 1000 kcmil

Copper 200A 1/0 1/0 3/0 300 kcmil 500 kcmil 1000 kcmil 500 kcmil3

Aluminum 200A 2/0 2/0 300 kcmil 600 kcmil 1000 kcmil 600 kcmil 3 1000 kcmil3

Notes to the table above

1. Using two 120VAC conductors, <= 3% maximum drop in voltage

2. 240V Service provided as two separate 120VAC cables; All of these services are single phase. Three phase power typically
reduces the wire size to the next smaller.
3. Requires 2 parallel cable sets
4. Watch out: these are example wire or cable sizes vs. run or length for the specific parameters named here and entered in the wire
size and length calculator. Your installation may differ. For safety and for code compliant electrical wiring, be sure to check with
your local electrical code inspector and electrical code provisions.
5. Detailed tables of copper or aluminum SEC cable sizes for long runs and where we give sizes for both single phase and three
phase power are at

SE CABLE SIZES FOR LONG WIRE RUNS

Adapted from two sources:

VOLTAGE DROP TABLE, [PDF], retrieved 2017/09/26, Cerrowire LLC, 1099 Thompson Road SE, Hartselle AL 35640, USA, Tel:
256-773-2522, original source: http://www.cerrowire.com/files/file/voltagedrop.pdf

The 300 ft and 400 ft cable length data is from

Cable size recommended based on voltage drop calculations. Calculated by Online voltage drop calculator: 2019/07/23,
Southwire, Tel: 1-800-444-1700 Website: www.southwire.com Email: CableTechSupport@southwire.com Web page:
https://www.southwire.com/calculator-vdrop

https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_SEC_Sizes_Amps.php 6/12
8/2/2020 Electrical wire sizes & Diameters: table of Electrical Service Entry Cable Sizes & Ampacity - Electrical capacity or size: How to estimate th…

Branch Circuit Wire Sizes Needed for Longer Run Lengths

Maximum Run Length in Ft. vs AWG Wire Size, 120 VAC Single Phase @ <= 5% Voltage Drop (for branch
circuits)

25 ft. 50 ft. 100 ft. 150 ft. 200 ft. 300 ft. 400 ft.
Wire Material AMPS Wire Size AWG

Copper 15A1 #14 #14 #12 #10 #8 #6 #6

Aluminum 15A #12 - #8 #8 #8 #8 #6 #4 #4

Copper 20A #12 #12 #10 #8 #8 #6 #4

Aluminum 20A #8 #8 #8 #6 #6 #4 #3
Copper 30A #10 #10 #8 #6 #6 #4 #3

Aluminum 30A #8 #8 #6 #4 #4 #2 #1
Copper 40A #8 #8 #8 #6 #4 #3 #2

Aluminum 40A #8 #8 #6 #4 #3 #1 2/0

Copper 50A #8 #8 #6 #4 #4 #2 #1

Aluminum 50A #6 #6 #4 #3 #2 2/0 3/0

Notes to the table above

1. These circuits are 120VAC (single phase) single conductor. Three phase power typically reduces the wire size to the next smaller.
2. Unlike the service entry cables, branch circuits may permit up to a 5% voltage drop
3. Cable size recommended based on voltage drop calculations. Calculated by Online voltage drop calculator: 2019/07/23,
Southwire, Tel: 1-800-444-1700 Website: www.southwire.com Email: CableTechSupport@southwire.com Web page:
https://www.southwire.com/calculator-vdrop
4. Watch out: these are example wire or cable sizes vs. run or length for the specific parameters named here and entered in the wire
size and length calculator. Your installation may differ. For safety and for code compliant electrical wiring, be sure to check with
your local electrical code inspector and electrical code provisions.

Maximum Wire Length in Feet

vs

Wire Size & Circuit Amps

Wire Size AWG Copper AMPS Rating Voltage Drop Percentage

12V 12V 120V 120V
3% 10% 3% 10%
14 15 5 16 48 160

12 20 5 18 54 180
10 30 6 20 60 200

8 55 5 17 52 175
6 75 6 19 58 192

4 95 8 25 76 253
2 130 9 29 86 286

https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_SEC_Sizes_Amps.php 7/12
8/2/2020 Electrical wire sizes & Diameters: table of Electrical Service Entry Cable Sizes & Ampacity - Electrical capacity or size: How to estimate th…
0 170 10 35 104 346
00 195 11 38 114 382

000 225 12 42 125 416

0000 260 14 46 137 457

Notes to the Table Above

Typically the maximum allowed voltage drop in residential wiring is 3%. For motor circuits and other applications less voltage drop
may be acceptable, and you may need to consider both the starting voltage drop and the running voltage drop allowed.

Watch out: the engineering work and derivation of the table above is uncertain. Check with your engineer. See the citations below.

Adapted from "Wire, Cable & Harness", provided by the California Department of Transportation, retrieved 2016/02/09, original source:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/eqsc/QualityStandards/Electric/Electric-01.htm

VOLTAGE DROP TABLE, [PDF], retrieved 2017/09/26, Cerrowire LLC, 1099 Thompson Road SE, Hartselle AL 35640, USA, Tel: 256-
773-2522, original source: http://www.cerrowire.com/files/file/voltagedrop.pdf

Excerpt: To avoid excessive voltage drop, select a size wire that will minimize voltage drop, You need to know the length of the wire run
and the amp load or current that will be on the circuit.

To determine amps, add up the wattage of all electrical devices that will be on the circuit and divide this total by the voltage of the circuit
110 or 220.

WIRE SIZES AND MAXIMUM LENGTH DETERMINATION, [PDF] (2007) [no author, no authority cited] retrieved ca 2007, retrieved
anew 2017/09/26, original source: http://www.zetatalk.com/energy/tengy10s.pdf [Beware this is a pretty weird website]

According to the zetatalk version, r

This chart works for any voltage or voltage drop, American (AWG) or metric (mm2) sizing. It applies to typical DC circuits and to some
simple AC circuits (single-phase AC with resistive loads, not motor loads, power factor = 1.0, line reactance negligible).

WIRE SIZE GUIDE, 6,12, 24V [PDF], Thomas & Betts, ABB Group, Emergi-Lite, retrieved retrieved 2017/09/26, original source:
http://www.emergi-lite.com/usa/modules/Files/el_92c_EL_US_Wire-guide_13-6-2016.pdf

Credits:

The articles from which some of this online material originated appeared first in the ASHI Technical Journal, Vol. 2. No. 1, January 1992
"Determining Service Ampacity," Dan Friedman and Alan Carson, and the ASHI Technical Journal, Vol. 3. No. 1, Spring, 1993,
"Determining Service Ampacity - Another Consideration," Robert L. Klewitz, P.E., with subsequent updates and additions to the original
text ongoing to 2091/07/236.

How to Use a Voltage Drop Calculator to Determine Reqired Service Entry Wire Size
Here we give examples and compare the results of using two example wire size and voltage drop calculators.

You will see that Southwire and Paige calculators give similar results.

1. Southwire's Voltage Drop Calculator example calculating SEC wire size

Southwire's wire size calculator at http://www.southwire.com/support/voltage-drop-calculator.htm is easy to use and clear.

The user specifies the number of phases (1 or 3), conductor (copper or aluminum), installation (direct buried, conduit, or overhead) and
the input voltage, maximum allowed voltage drop (I use 3%), the length of the cable run, and the desired current (amps) at the end of th
cable run. The calculator gives an appropriate wire selection and its parameters, such as this:

Example: Single phase, aluminum conductor, direct buried, 120VAC, 3% maximum voltage drop, 250 ft. cable run length, 100A current
at end of cable

Result: 1 conductors per phase utilizing a #400 Aluminum conductor will limit the voltage drop to 2.94% or less when supplying 100.0
amps for 250 feet on a 120 volt system.

Changing the example above to 240 VAC, keeping other parameters the same gives this result:

Result: 1 conductors per phase utilizing a #3/0 Aluminum conductor will limit the voltage drop to 2.82% or less when supplying 100.0
amps for 250 feet on a 240 volt system.

2. Paige Wire Size Calculator example calculating SEC wire size

https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_SEC_Sizes_Amps.php 8/12
8/2/2020 Electrical wire sizes & Diameters: table of Electrical Service Entry Cable Sizes & Ampacity - Electrical capacity or size: How to estimate th…
Paige Wire's voltage wire size calcuator at http://www.paigewire.com/pumpWireCalc.aspx is also easy to use and clear and is an
alternative to the Southwire wire size, length, and voltage drop calculator we described above. Testing with the following parameters:

Example: 240 VAC Single Phase, 100A, 250 ft. run, 3% voltage drop allowed,

Result: 1 AWG Copper or 2/0 Aluminum

Changing the example above to 120VAC, keeping other parameters the same gives this result:

Result: 3/0 AWG Copper or 250 MCM Aluminum

Siemens offers an XLS spreadsheet [this address leaves InspectApedia.com] that can be used to calculate voltage dropas do other
sources, and there are numerous online voltage drop calculators - I like the Southwire calculator given above. Be sure to compare the
calculator's result with what the applicable electrical code will permit.

Voltage Drop Index - VDI - when to increase wire size for long runs
The voltage drop index or VDI is a reference number that is based on the electrical resistance of a wire and is calculated as

VDI = (Amps x Feet of run) / (% Voltage Drop allowed x Voltage)

Typical allowable voltage drop is 2% or 4% depending on the application. 3% is a typically-accepted voltage drop target.

The calculated VDI for a specific circuit is then compared with VDI's given in wiring charts.

The type of electrical load is important as well as the circuit type (AC vs DC).

For typical residential electrical circuits with resistive loads (such as lighting, not motor loads) using a power factor of 1 and assuming a
negligible line reactance, here is an example table (see warning and citations throughout this article and at REFERENCES).

...

Continue reading at SE CABLE SIZES FOR LONG WIRE RUNS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the
complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see SE CABLE SIZES vs AMPS FAQs - questions & answers posted originally at the end of this page.

Or see these

Articles on Determination of Ampacity & Voltage at Building Electrical Services

AMPS VOLTS DETERMINATION - home
AMPS, LIMITING FACTORS
AMPS & SEC SIZES
AMPS & VOLTS, DETERMINE VISUALLY
AMPS MEASUREMENT METHODS
AMPACITY, MAIN DISCONNECT
DEFINITIONS AMPS VOLTS WATTS
ELECTRIC METERS & METER BASES
ELECTRICAL PANEL AMPACITY
VOLTAGE at the SEC
UNDERGROUND SERVICE LATERALS
GROUND SYSTEM INSPECTION - home
SAFETY for ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS - home
SE CABLE SIZES vs AMPS
SE CABLE SIZES FOR LONG WIRE RUNS
SERVICE ENTRY WIRING & AMPACITY - wire sizes
SIZE of WIRE REQUIRED for ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLES for receptacle circuits and similar wiring situations
VOLTS / AMPS MEASUREMENT EQUIP

Suggested citation for this web page

https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_SEC_Sizes_Amps.php 9/12
8/2/2020 Electrical wire sizes & Diameters: table of Electrical Service Entry Cable Sizes & Ampacity - Electrical capacity or size: How to estimate th…
SE CABLE SIZES vs AMPS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis,
repair, & problem prevention advice.

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to ELECTRICAL INSPECTION & TESTING

Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Share this article

...

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Questions & answers or comments about electrical wire sizes, diameters, and ampacity ratings.

Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.

Search the InspectApedia website

Search

Comments

Name

Enter your comment here

Comment add image

(June 27, 2020) danjoefriedman (mod) said:

I'd need to see photos of the cable, Ron, but generally in service entry conductors and electrical circuit wires
there will be insulation on the individual conductors:

White - neutral

Black - hot

Green - ground

On LAMP CORD which is entirely different in size and purpose, the wire may use ridging along one side of the cable

Please see

ELECTRICAL WALL PLUG WIRING ID & CONNECTIONS

inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical-Wall-Plug-Wire-ID-Connections.php

Where we explain the convention for use of a rib or raised ridges along one side of such wires - by convention to identify the neutral
wire.

https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_SEC_Sizes_Amps.php 10/12
8/2/2020 Electrical wire sizes & Diameters: table of Electrical Service Entry Cable Sizes & Ampacity - Electrical capacity or size: How to estimate th…

(June 27, 2020) Ron said:

i have a three wire cable here. it looks like a figure 8. The center is green (ground) The bottom is smooth and the top has a ridge.
Which is hot wire?

(Apr 26, 2020) danjoefriedman (mod) said: 1

Carole

Please check out the SEC wire sizes given on the page above in the table titled

Electrical Service Entry Wire Sizes Needed for Longer Run Lengths

Your electrician will probably go to the next larger size, using copper, given that your run is more than 300 ft.

(Apr 25, 2020) carole bohannon said:

What size cable for 200 amp service by 330 feet?(doublewide mh)
Underground in conduit

(Jan 7, 2020) danjoefriedman (mod) said:

Ravi,

Electrical service entrance cables are not color coded by size.

However you were usually find your cable size actually printed on the exterior of the cable jacket or insulation.

(Jan 7, 2020) ravikiranravikiran2828@gmail.com said:

Cabel colour codes sizes

(Sept 26, 2019) Anonymous said:

For 75KW load and 100 ft long wire length what diameter of copper wire is required

Technical Reviewers & References

Click to Show or Hide Citations & References

Publisher InspectApedia.com - Daniel Friedman

HOME ABOUT CONTACT COPY DESCRIPTION POLICIES PRINT PRIVACY © 2020

https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_SEC_Sizes_Amps.php 11/12
8/2/2020 Electrical wire sizes & Diameters: table of Electrical Service Entry Cable Sizes & Ampacity - Electrical capacity or size: How to estimate th…

https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_SEC_Sizes_Amps.php 12/12