direct burial

[ncor]

#250 for a service entrance run to a 200A panel 388' from meter
or will a triplex 4/0 suffice over that distance
thanks

 

[Dennis Alwon]

#250 for a service entrance run to a 200A panel 388' from meter
or will a triplex 4/0 suffice over that distance
thanks

I assume you mean aluminum. To figure VD you really need to know what the load is. If you want a 200 amp load then 500KCM aluminum is what you would use to avoid 3% VD if that's what you want to do.

 

[ncor]

yes with 500kcm 0000 I was hoping to reduce the cost

 

[Dennis Alwon]

The NEC does not require you to upsize for VD in this situation. It would be a design issue. 388 feet is a very long distance and to have a 3% drop with just a 100 amp load you need 250KCM. Personally I would go with the 500KCM because you are going to be the one they call the first time the lights dim.