Service entrance wire size for 100 amp install#

You can make the ground wire smaller without endangering your home. Surprisingly, the ground wire’s size doesn’t have to mimic the gauge of the neutral and hot wires. Although, 4AWG wire is also adequate if the distance between the panel and load is less than 50 feet.ĭoes that mean every home with a 100 amp service requires a 4 – 2AWG ground wire? Not necessarily. In other words, you wouldn’t be wrong in assigning 3 and 2AWG lines to a 100 amp service. The neutral wire takes that same power back, and the ground line will lead any excess current to the earth in the event of a surge.ģ and 2-gauge wiring can withstand 100 or more amps. After all, the hot wire carries the power from the panel. Hot/Neutral VS GroundĬommon sense will tell you that the hot, neutral, and ground conductors should be the same size. And the distance influences the wire size. This matters because the location of the subpanel affects the distance the wires have to cover. They can also extend your home or commercial building’s electrical service to a structure in the vicinity.

People use subpanels to accommodate new circuits.

Service entrance wire size for 100 amp install#

If someone wants you to install a grounding wire for their 100 amp service, it is probably a sub-panel. While 100A can work, don’t be surprised if you occasionally overload your system. However, 200A is sufficient for your basic needs. Larger houses may prioritize 250-amp services. 200A is the standard, especially for conventional homes with kitchen and laundry appliances, not to mention heating and cooling units. Subpanelįirst of all, you rarely see 100-amp services in residential settings. If you’re a layperson, you will take several considerations into account before answering this question, including: 1). The size of ground wire for 100 amp service is 8AWG or 6AWG.

But what is the correct ground wire size for a 100 amp service? This guide will tell you. You can’t trust these cables to protect you unless you secure the right size. Ground wires are indispensable because they provide an alternative path for excess current during an emergency.