Aluminum is less conductive than copper, so aluminum wires need to be thicker to deliver the same amount of current that copper wires can. Some materials are better conductors than others. Several factors can affect the rating of a wire, so the wire size might be adjusted to meet the required current. The proper wire size should at least have an ampacity that meets your service requirements. Thicker wires can carry more current and are rated with a higher ampacity. The main factor that affects wire sizing is the wire’s ampacity. Consult a licensed electrician when installing service conductors. Take note that an electrician can give you a more detailed recommendation based on both your needs and the local code in your area. The most appropriate aluminum wire size will be 1/0 gauge with an impedance of 0.20. ![]() \įinally, we look at a resistance chart to find the conductor size that suits the impedance that we need. If the service uses aluminum wires at 240 volts, then the 5% voltage drop will be: If we want to know the underground wire size for a 100 amp service conductor that’s 300 feet away, let’s determine the voltage drop first. For this, we will take a 5% voltage drop limit, similar to the maximum voltage drop of feeders and branch circuits combined. ![]() Technically, the NEC has no requirement for the voltage drop for service conductors. ![]() NEC Section 310.12(A) might be fine at 50 feet but become insufficient at 150 feet and 300 feet. Voltage drops can affect the performance of appliances and shorten their lifespan. Aside from ampacity, voltage drops should also be considered when planning a long service wire, especially at 300 feet.
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