2/0 or 3/0?


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Old 01-22-06, 07:30 AM
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2/0 or 3/0?

I'm going to be installing a 200A service next week. This is in a new manufactured home. I've already got most everything I need for the job and have spoken to the state inspector already. I'll pull the permit for it next week.

Since the home is already pre-wired, my job is to connect to load center to the meter socket via 2" PVC conduit. I'm having a tough time trying to decide what size and material of cable to use for this. I think I'll skip the aluminum cable, it's not cheap enough to make it worth the trouble.

Would you use 2/0 or 3/0 copper? I'm leaning towards 2/0 because it would be *slightly* easier to pull thru conduit. Is there any overwhelming reason to use 3/0 over 2/0?

Note: The POCO is using 4/0 AL on their side of the meter.

Thx,
Joe Michel
 
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Old 01-22-06, 07:32 AM
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For a 200A service, 2/0 awg copper is fine.
 
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Old 01-22-06, 07:46 AM
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You should use 2/0 because it's code legal and there is no reason to go larger (except for a real long run), especially since the POCO ran 4/0al which is the size equivalent of 2/0cu for a 200 amp service..
 
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Old 01-22-06, 10:58 AM
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Thanks again! Now, if they'd just bring my house, I could get busy! But that's another story!

Joe Michel
 
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Old 01-23-06, 07:34 AM
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2/0 copper is ok for 200A? I always 2/0 had a safe limit of around 175A...oh well I guess I learn something new. I have 3/0 copper in mine, so I guess I should be good for up to 225A?
 
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Old 01-23-06, 08:50 AM
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Ampacity for residential services and feeders use a different table {310.15(B)(6)} than the typical 310.16 ampacity tables for branch circuits.
 
 

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