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What Size Breaker for 2/0 AWG Wire?

For 2/0 AWG wire under the displayed non-receptacle defaults, the largest common breaker is 175 A for copper and 150 A for aluminum. Copper lands on a standard 175 A step, while aluminum reaches 150 A through a next-size-up breaker-protection path.
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Breaker Starting Point

Maximum common breaker sizes under common conditions. Derating or receptacle limits can reduce these.

MaterialConductorLargest common breakerAssumptions
Copper2/0 AWG copper175 A90 C insulation, 75 C lugs, 86 F, 3 current-carrying conductors, non-receptacle circuit default
Aluminum2/0 AWG aluminum150 A90 C insulation, 75 C lugs, 86 F, 3 current-carrying conductors, non-receptacle circuit default
What Size Breaker for 2/0 AWG Wire? under common non-receptacle defaults: 90 C insulation, 75 C lugs, 86 F ambient, no more than three current-carrying conductors, and next-size-up checks only where eligible.

What 2/0 AWG ChangesAt 2/0 AWG, copper moves to a 175 A protection result, while aluminum's 150 A answer is conditional. That makes this page a boundary check: do not call the aluminum row a full 150 A feeder until load, termination, derating, and equipment instructions also pass.

Check breaker and wire together

Adjacent Wire Sizes

See whether stepping one conductor size changes the maximum standard breaker.

WireCopper max breakerAluminum max breaker
1/0 AWG150 A125 A
2/0 AWG (this page)175 A150 A
3/0 AWG200 A175 A
Largest common breakers for 2/0 AWG and neighboring published wire sizes under the same defaults.

2/0 AWG Sits Between 150 A and 200 A Planning

Large feeder context for 2/0 AWG wire.

A 2/0 AWG breaker-size search often means a larger subfeed, a service-equipment comparison, or a check between 1/0 AWG and the 3/0 AWG copper step used by many 200 A discussions.

Under the displayed defaults, 2/0 AWG copper lands on a 175 A maximum breaker. 2/0 AWG aluminum has 135 A usable ampacity and reaches 150 A only through the non-receptacle next-size-up path.

Field Checks for This Wire Size

Checks that matter in this conductor band — not a generic breaker list.

  • Do not reuse 1/0 AWG answers

    Under these defaults, 1/0 AWG copper returns 150 A and 1/0 AWG aluminum returns 125 A. This 2/0 AWG page moves both material results larger.

  • Name the aluminum next-size-up step

    The 150 A aluminum maximum comes from 135 A usable ampacity through the non-receptacle next-size-up default. It is not a 150 A load rating.

  • Check full-load sizing

    If the feeder load truly needs 150 A or more of conductor ampacity, confirm the load calculation before relying on this breaker-protection maximum.

  • Verify lugs and 60 C terminals

    Panel and disconnect lugs must accept 2/0 AWG in the chosen material. A 60 C limit can force a larger conductor for the same breaker.

2/0 AWG Breaker FAQs

What size breaker for 2/0 AWG wire?
Under the displayed non-receptacle defaults on this page, 2/0 AWG copper has a 175 A maximum breaker and 2/0 AWG aluminum has a 150 A maximum breaker.
Why does 2/0 AWG aluminum show 150 A?
The 75 C ampacity path lands at 135 A, which is not a standard breaker rating. With the page's non-receptacle default, the next-size-up path reaches 150 A.
Can 2/0 AWG aluminum carry a full 150 A load?
Not by this page alone. The displayed 150 A aluminum result is a breaker-protection maximum, and a full 150 A feeder load can require a larger conductor.
Can I use this page as final approval for a 2/0 AWG feeder?
No. Treat it as a compatibility starting point only. Feeder work still needs load calculation, terminal temperature, conductor material, raceway fill, voltage drop, equipment listings, and AHJ review.