Copper Wire Spool Weight for a 100 Amp, 150 Foot Feeder
A long copper feeder where the spool weight matters as much as the gauge.
Formula SSC-2026.1
K method · SSC-2026.1
Minimum size
2 AWG · 33.6 mm²
Single conductor set
Voltage drop
5.83 V
2.43% · end 234.2 V
Power loss
583 W
I²R at the operating current
Required ampacity
100.0 A
Each conductor 115 A
Material estimate
$2,248.50
3 conductors + PVC
Conductor weight
105.8 lb
48.0 kg · approximate insulated weight
Circle diameters track circular mils. The drawing is a schematic, not a conduit-fill layout.
| Item | Net | Waste | Order | Unit price | Line total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| copper 2 AWG · 33.6 mm² | 150 ft one way | cuts excluded | 3 conductors | USD | $2,106.00 |
| PVC conduit | 150 ft | — | 150 ft | USD | $142.50 |
| Material | Minimum size | mm² | Drop | End voltage | Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| copper | 2 AWG · 33.6 mm² | 33.6 | 2.43% | 234.2 V | 583 W |
| aluminum | 1/0 AWG · 53.5 mm² | 53.5 | 2.51% | 234.0 V | 602 W |
| Distance | Minimum size | Drop | Percent | End voltage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 ft | 3 AWG · 26.7 mm² | 3.68 V | 1.53% | 236.3 V |
| 150 ft | 2 AWG · 33.6 mm² | 5.83 V | 2.43% | 234.2 V |
| 200 ft | 1 AWG · 42.4 mm² | 6.17 V | 2.57% | 233.8 V |
Show the deterministic formula
Single phase: Vdrop = 2 × K × I × D / cmil. Three phase: Vdrop = 1.732 × K × I × D / cmil. K is 12.9 for copper and 21.2 for aluminum. D is one-way feet.
Percent drop = Vdrop ÷ source voltage × 100. Green is 3% or less, amber is 3 to 5%, and red is over 5%. Power loss is I²R on the current-carrying conductors.
The smallest conductor that meets both the ampacity (125% when continuous) and the drop limit is selected. Ampacity does not include bundling or temperature correction.
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Project: Copper Wire Spool Weight for a 100 Amp, 150 Foot Feeder
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This sheet is an estimate for ordering and layout discussion. It is not a sealed design. Confirm the quantities with a licensed local professional and the authority having jurisdiction before you buy or build.
Engineering notes
The circuit is 100 A, 240 V, 150 ft, copper, 3 percent, in PVC. The weight line uses an approximate insulated-copper weight for the selected size times the conductor count. Aluminum is about a third of that weight at the same size, but it usually requires a larger size. Use the copper-versus-aluminum table, then the weight, before you choose a spool. The price per foot is editable because copper moves.
Code reference
NEC 210.19(A) and 215.2(A) informational notes recommend 3 percent on a branch circuit and 5 percent total with the feeder. Ampacity follows the 75°C column of Table 310.16 plus the small-conductor limits. Confirm the adopted edition.
Field questions
- Does the weight include the conduit?
- No. Conduit is a separate cost line. The weight is the conductors, including the ground allowance count.
- Why might 150 feet step the wire up?
- Ampacity may be satisfied by a smaller conductor that then fails the 3 percent drop. The minimum size meets both.
- Can the yard quote aluminum instead?
- Switch the conductor control or read the comparison table. Recheck the weight after the size changes.