Hi,
I just looked at today's Homebase ad here in LA as to wiring sizes and
prices--assuming we have a 100 foot run (not hard by the time you run it
from the panel down to the crawl space, down a few feet across the
backyard, to the garage, up the wall, to the box, etc.)
Anyway, for 100 foot run, the cable looks like:
awg amp $
10 30 48
8 40 66
6 50 96
4 70 132
2 80 237
As you can see, as you get into the larger gauge wire, the price starts
to jump. I wish I had the 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, etc., pricing, but that was it
for the ad. These are prices for THHN wire, 3 each. Of course the
conduit, boxes, couplings, etc., are more expensive as you go "up."
Also, if you are doing your own work, anything over #4 is a real hassle
to work through and service.
I guess what I'm trying to say, is that if you need it, go for 200 amp
3/0 service, but let's be realistic, you are burying copper (money)
under the ground--if you don't need it, it probably is not your best
investment (Fidelity Electronics has been a good performer over the past
few years).
But as I said at the outset, more is always better...
I know I'll get flamed on this one.
thank you,
shook
B50SS advocate
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