Einführung
Service entrance conductors carry all electrical power from the utility to your main panel. Proper sizing ensures adequate capacity for current and future loads.
Common Service Sizes
Residential service entrance sizes:
- 100A Service: Minimum for small homes, older installations
- 150A Service: Common in moderately sized homes
- 200A Service: Standard for new construction
- 400A Service: Large homes, heavy electrical loads
Wire Size Requirements
Minimum conductor sizes per NEC for copper and aluminum:
- 100A: 4 AWG copper or 2 AWG aluminum
- 150A: 1/0 AWG copper or 2/0 AWG aluminum
- 200A: 2/0 AWG copper or 4/0 AWG aluminum
Copper vs Aluminum for Services
Aluminum is commonly used for service entrance conductors due to cost savings.
Tipp
Aluminum is often preferred for service entrance conductors due to significant cost savings on large wire sizes. Ensure proper terminations and anti-oxidant compound.
Load Calculation Basics
Service size depends on calculated load:
- General lighting and receptacles
- Large appliances (range, dryer, water heater)
- HVAC equipment
- Future expansion allowance
Grounding Requirements
Service entrance requires proper grounding per NEC Article 250.
Wichtig
Service entrance work involves live utility connections. Only qualified electricians should perform service entrance installations. Contact your utility before any work.
Fazit
Proper service entrance sizing ensures adequate power for current and future needs. Most new homes use 200A service for flexibility and future expansion capability.
Verwenden Sie unseren Kabelquerschnitt-Rechner für genaue Ergebnisse.