90☌/194☏: 2 gauge wire (AWG 2) features an Ampacity of 130A.Īnd these values are for relatively short wires, usually less than 50 feet (less than ~15 meters), which raises the question about the wire thickness of longer wires. 75☌/167☏: 1 gauge wire (AWG 1) features an Ampacity of 130A, 60☌/140☏: 0 gauge wire (AWG 0) features an Ampacity of 125A, Thus, for 100 Amp service, the required wire thickness is: Hence, we should not look for wires being able to carry 100 Amps, but 125 Amps: The 80% Safety RuleĨ0% Rule states that actual wire current should be at most 80% of its default Ampacity. 90☌/194☏: 3 gauge wire (AWG 3) features an Ampacity of 115A.īut, these wire thicknesses are not recommended for actual use since wires should never carry current that equals their default values for safety reasons - hence the 80% Rule. 75☌/167☏: 3 gauge wire (AWG 3) features an Ampacity of 100A, 60☌/140☏: 1 gauge wire (AWG 1) features an Ampacity of 115A, Following code guidelines provides standardized sizing suited for 100A service.Note: Ampacities are given for enclosed wires ambient temperatures.Īs one can see, the Ampacity of wires is given at three different temperatures (60☌/140☏, 75☌/167☏, and 90☌/194☏), but for most residential installations, 60☌/140☏ is the maximum allowed wire surface temperature.Īlso, if the value is not given for a required current, one has to look for a wire with a larger Ampacity.įor example, if we are going to look for 100 Amp wire size using default Ampacities for solid copper wire, then: Selecting the proper AWG wire size for 100A electrical systems ensures adequate capacity, safety, and performance according to NEC standards. Match lug amp ratings and wire size ranges. Standard lugs may only terminate wires up to #4 AWG. Use lugs sized for the AWG wire gauge, like 3/0 AWG for 100A circuits. Many basic splices only support 10-12 AWG wires. Wire Splice ConnectionsĬhoose wire splice connectors properly rated for the AWG gauge and amperage, such as 3/0 AWG 100A circuits. Keep distances within guidelines or upsize wires. Excessive drop can affect equipment function and performance. Voltage Drop Effectsįor longer wire runs, going one gauge up manages voltage drop. Correct wire gauges prevent circuits from overheating and becoming damaged by overloaded currents. Using the standardized 100 amp awg sizes ensures the designed 100A ampacity rating is maintained. For example, #3 THHN supports 100A breakers, while #12 THHN is rated for 20A breaker circuits. THHN is a common 100 amp awg wire insulation type used in conduit. This gauge meets code for proper grounding up to a 100A system according to NEC standards. ![]() Ground Wiresįor effective grounding in a 100A service, the recommended 100 amp awg wire size is #4 AWG copper. The #3 AWG wire gauge can accommodate the 100A current on the circuit without overheating. Per NEC, the minimum 100 amp awg size for branch circuits supplied by a 100A breaker is #3 AWG copper. This properly sizes the 100A subpanel feeder based on the designed amperage load. When installing a 100A subpanel fed from the main panel, the standard 100 amp awg wire size is 3/0 AWG copper. ![]() This meets NEC minimum specifications for a 100A service using copper wiring. 100A Service Entrance Wiresįor overhead and underground 100A service entrance conductors, the recommended 100 amp awg size is 3/0 AWG. Higher AWG numbers indicate thinner wires. AWG denotes wire sizes starting at 36 AWG for the smallest and up to 1 AWG for the largest. AWG stands for American Wire Gauge, which is the standard system used to specify wire diameters in North America.
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