What Size Wire for 200 Amps at 250 Feet?
- Load
- 200 A
- Distance
- 250 ft
- Band
- 200 A feeder / service
- Defaults
- Non-continuous, 75 C lugs, 86 F, 240 V single-phase
Computed Starting Point
Ampacity and voltage drop under common defaults for this amp and distance.
| Material | Computed size | OCPD | Usable ampacity | Governing constraint | Default check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 4/0 AWG | 200 A | 230 A | Voltage drop | Passes defaults |
| Aluminum | 300 kcmil | 200 A | 230 A | Voltage drop | Passes defaults |
What 250 ft ChangesAt 250 ft, voltage drop becomes the governing constraint for both materials under the default 200 A setup. The result moves from 3/0 copper and 250 kcmil aluminum at 200 ft to 4/0 copper and 300 kcmil aluminum here, while 300 ft moves again.
Zero-Length vs This Distance
If the distance-adjusted size is larger, voltage drop governed under these defaults.
| Case | Copper size | Copper constraint | Aluminum size | Aluminum constraint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ampacity only (0 ft) | 3/0 AWG | Termination rated 75 C | 250 kcmil | Termination rated 75 C |
| 250 ft (this page) | 4/0 AWG | Voltage drop | 300 kcmil | Voltage drop |
Adjacent Distances at This Amp
Neighboring published lengths for 200 A under the same defaults.
| Distance | Copper size | Aluminum size | Copper constraint |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 ft | 3/0 AWG | 250 kcmil | Termination rated 75 C |
| 250 ft (this page) | 4/0 AWG | 300 kcmil | Voltage drop |
| 300 ft | 250 kcmil | 400 kcmil | Voltage drop |
250 ft Is the First 200 A Upsize
200 A feeder / service context for 200 A at 250 ft.
A 250 ft 200 A route is often the point where a detached shop, ADU, barn, remote panel or service-equipment relocation stops behaving like a short feeder. The measured one-way conductor path matters more than the straight-line distance on a site plan.
Under the defaults on this page, 200 ft still sits on the short-run platform, but 250 ft moves up to larger conductors. This page should help the user notice that transition before buying from the shorter-distance answer.
What Changes This Long-Run Answer
Checks that matter for distance-governed sizing in this amp band.
Measure before choosing 200 or 250 ft
Include trench offsets, risers, sweeps and panel placement in the one-way conductor path. If the route is really near 250 ft, do not buy from the 200 ft result.
Check actual current
Voltage drop follows the current that flows. If 200 A is a panel or service rating rather than the expected load, rerun the calculator with the project current.
Plan for larger conductors
4/0 copper and 300 kcmil aluminum need compatible product choices, lugs, bend space and raceway planning before the material decision is useful.
Compare 250 and 300 ft early
The 300 ft page steps up again under the same defaults. If the final route may be 260 ft or longer, check the next page before locking the layout.