What size wire do i need for 125 amp service?
If you’re installing a new home or doing some renovations, chances are you’ll need to know the size of wire you should use for your electrical system. Here’s how to figure that out:
The main breaker is 125 amps rated for 150 amps.
The main breaker is 125 amps rated for 150 amps. This means that the maximum current capacity of a 125-amp main breaker is 150 amps. The main breaker protects the rest of the circuit from overloading, and it’s the first thing that trips if there’s an electrical overload on your home wiring.
The most common wire size needed for a 125-amp service is 1/0 AWG copper conductors. These conductors can handle up to 10,000 volts at 70 degrees C (Omega Engineering).
It will be approximately 4 inches shorter than the number of feet of wire you input.
To calculate the length of wire needed, you need to know the voltage drop and ampacity for your circuit. To find this information, you’ll need to look at your breaker box or electrical panel. The calculation is done by multiplying the current (amps) by two times the voltage drop (voltage difference between breaker and outlet).
Next, determine if your wiring is aluminum or copper.
Once you know what size wire you need, the next step is to choose between aluminum and copper.
Aluminum is much cheaper than copper, but it has a higher resistance to corrosion and therefore requires more current to carry the same amount of power as copper. It’s also less durable and cannot be used in situations where water or high temperatures are present. Copper wires have lower resistance than aluminum wires, making them better conductors of electricity. However they’re also more expensive, which means they cost more to install in your home or business!
Then, choose the correct wire gauge that corresponds to the amount of power you need.
If you need a lot of power, look to use a wire gauge that is larger in size. If you have only a small amount of power and are running it through long distances, consider using a smaller gauge wire so that it doesn’t become too heavy and difficult to carry.
Identify the material your electrical wires are made from because this determines what size breaker you need.
Identify the material your electrical wires are made from because this determines what size breaker you need.
Copper wire is used for higher voltage and lower current. Aluminum wire is used for lower voltage and higher current. Copper wire has a higher resistance than aluminum wire, so it typically costs more than aluminum to purchase. The difference in price between copper and aluminum, however, is not reflected in their respective voltages or currents when they are fed through the same circuit breaker (as shown below).
Alternatively, if you’re looking to install a single appliance, use a wire gauge specific to that device.
The size of wire you need depends on the current load. For example, if you’re installing a single appliance like a dishwasher or range hood and want to know what gauge wire is right for it, use a gauge specific to that device. A common area like your garage may be wired with 12-gauge 3-wire cable because it’s used by many different devices and has enough capacity to handle them.
A good rule of thumb is 100 amps per bedroom plus additional 50 amps for common areas, such as living room and kitchen.
A good rule of thumb is 100 amps per bedroom plus additional 50 amps for common areas, such as living room and kitchen. If you have an office or two in your home, you may want to add another 50-100 amps. To determine how many bedrooms you have in your house, look at the number on the door when entering each room. This will indicate a bedroom or other room that could be used as one if needed.
Is there enough space between outlets? For proper fire safety and electrical performance, there should be at least 18 inches between outlets; however, most codes require 30 inches within 6 ft of a bathtub or sink and 36 inches above them (or 48 inches if it is more than 6 ft high). It’s also important not to place too many receptacles within reach of children who may need access to an outlet but aren’t ready yet for responsibility with electrical usage!
Conclusion
If you have any questions about sizing wires for your home, please contact an electrician. It’s important that you do so before making any decisions because they can help ensure your house is properly wired and safe from fires or other electrical hazards.
