Skip to content
ElectraKit
Open menu

What Size Wire for 50 Amps at 200 Feet?

At 200 ft, the default 50 A answer is the last published 50 A distance page: 4 AWG copper still holds, while aluminum moves to 2 AWG, both governed by voltage drop.
Load
50 A
Distance
200 ft
Band
Mid branch / light feeder
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.

MaterialComputed sizeOCPDUsable ampacityGoverning constraintDefault check
Copper4 AWG50 A85 AVoltage dropPasses defaults
Aluminum2 AWG50 A90 AVoltage dropPasses defaults
What Size Wire for 50 Amps at 200 Feet? under common non-continuous defaults: THHN or XHHW-2 insulation, 75 C terminations, 86 F ambient, 240 V single-phase and no more than three current-carrying conductors.

What 200 ft ChangesAt 200 ft, the page sits at the top of the published 50 A distance series. The copper result matches 150 ft, but aluminum moves again, so material choice affects both cost and installability more than a generic 50 A chart suggests.

Run the wire size calculatorCheck voltage drop alone

Zero-Length vs This Distance

If the distance-adjusted size is larger, voltage drop governed under these defaults.

CaseCopper sizeCopper constraintAluminum sizeAluminum constraint
Ampacity only (0 ft)8 AWGTermination rated 75 C6 AWGTermination rated 75 C
200 ft (this page)4 AWGVoltage drop2 AWGVoltage drop
Copper and aluminum sizes for 50 A with no distance entered versus 200 ft one-way.

Adjacent Distances at This Amp

Neighboring published lengths for 50 A under the same defaults.

DistanceCopper sizeAluminum sizeCopper constraint
150 ft4 AWG3 AWGVoltage drop
200 ft (this page)4 AWG2 AWGVoltage drop
50 A copper and aluminum starting sizes across neighboring distance pages.

200 ft Is the Last 50 A Published Distance

Mid branch / light feeder context for 50 A at 200 ft.

A 200 ft 50 A run is usually a long EVSE branch, detached-garage circuit, small shop feeder, pump, welder or equipment run where the exact one-way conductor path needs to be final before buying wire.

This page is not the first voltage-drop warning; 100 ft already upsized under the defaults. Its distinct point is that copper remains 4 AWG from 150 ft, while aluminum takes another step to 2 AWG.

What Changes This Long-Run Answer

Checks that matter for distance-governed sizing in this amp band.

  • Do not extrapolate past 200 ft

    This is the last published 50 A distance answer. If the route is longer, rerun the calculator with the measured one-way path.

  • Compare copper plateau and aluminum jump

    Copper holds at 4 AWG from 150 ft to 200 ft under these defaults, while aluminum changes from 3 AWG to 2 AWG.

  • Recheck configured load

    Many 50 A circuits do not operate at 50 A continuously. Use the actual expected current when voltage drop is the design concern.

  • Confirm larger aluminum fit

    2 AWG aluminum affects lug range, raceway fill and bend space. Verify the physical installation before choosing material by price alone.

50 A at 200 ft FAQs

What size wire for 50 amps at 200 feet?
Under the defaults on this page, start with 4 AWG copper or 2 AWG aluminum. Voltage drop governs both distance-adjusted results.
Can I use the 150 ft answer for a 200 ft route?
Copper stays at 4 AWG under these defaults, but aluminum moves from 3 AWG at 150 ft to 2 AWG at 200 ft. Use the page that matches the measured route.
What if the route is longer than 200 ft?
Use the calculator with the actual one-way distance. This is the last published 50 A distance answer, so longer runs should not be guessed from it.
Does the 200 ft upsize allow a larger breaker?
No. The page result still uses a 50 A overcurrent device. The larger conductor is for voltage-drop planning under the stated defaults.