I have 3 gang meter base (this is new service) have 100amp. &200amp.service?

Question

have 100amp. & 200amp. shutoff switches on meter bases,taking 100amp. & 200amps. from shutoff switches from outside meter bases to 100 amp. & 200amp. inside pannells. What size wire do I need for feeding inside service.?? this is for a 3 bay garage.

Answer 1

2o aluminum is good for 100 amp and 4o aluminum is good for
200 amp the price of copper is sky high. if you use aluminum
you must use an oxide inhibitor on the wire were it meets the
terminal lugs. if you are running from a meter base you need 3 conductors, 2 hot wires and a neutral. if you are running from a
breaker or other disconnect you need 4 conductors, 2 hot wires,
1 neutral, and 1 ground

Answer 2

Everybody knows an electrician, and the distance from the breakers have something to do with wire size. If it is a short distance use the largest wire you can fit in the lugs. I would use copper vs, aluminum, technically aluminum needs to have their setscrews re-tightened every 2 years.Go to an electrical supplier and ask this question, what is the smallest gauge wire that will fit either svc, spend the extra $. This is not a task for a non electrician, you can easily become the 200 amp fuse or breaker. The inrush current is actually more than that when you short yourself across it. Keep in mind what they will be saying at the funeral, "if he had only hired an electrician" hey wheres the beer!