What Size Wire for a 200 Amp Circuit Breaker? (NEC Table 310.16)
Complete Copper vs. Aluminum AWG wire size, continuous load limit (160A max), ground wire gauge, and conduit sizing for 200A circuits (200A main residential service entrance & commercial feeder panels).
Direct NEC Table 310.16 Answer for 200 Amps
Common Applications for a 200A Circuit
200A main residential service entrance & commercial feeder panels. Remember that under the NEC 125% continuous-load rule (NEC 210.19 & 210.20), a standard 200A breaker can only supply up to 160A of continuous load (any load that runs for 3 hours or more without stopping, such as an EV charger or commercial lighting).
When to Upsize for Voltage Drop (Over 100 Feet)
If your one-way wire run exceeds 100 feet at 240V (or 50 feet at 120V), step up one wire gauge from 3/0 AWG to keep total line voltage drop under the NEC 3% branch-circuit recommendation. Use our Voltage Drop Calculator to check your exact footage.