325 Amp Wire Size at 500 Feet (480V Three-Phase (US Heavy Industrial))
Complete conductor sizing, Ohm's law voltage drop, $I^2R$ line power loss, and circuit breaker specification for a 325 A load over a 500 ft (152.4 m) one-way run.
Copper Wire (≤3% Drop)400 kcmil202.7 mm² · Drop: 1.89%
Aluminum Wire (≤3% Drop)600 kcmilDrop: 9.96V (2.08%)
Voltage at Load End470.9 VLoss: 9.06 V (5098.4 W)
Power & Breaker (125%)270.2 kW450A Breaker Recommended
All AWG & kcmil Wire Gauges for 325 Amps at 500 Feet (480V)
| Wire Gauge | Metric Area | NEC 75°C Cu Ampacity | Copper Voltage Drop | Load Voltage | Aluminum Drop | Line Loss ($I^2R$) | NEC Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 AWG | 2.08 mm² | 15 A | 882.63 V (183.88%) | 0.0 V | 1455.93 V (303.32%) | 496847.8 W | Drop/Amp High |
| 12 AWG | 3.31 mm² | 20 A | 554.64 V (115.55%) | 0.0 V | 914.9 V (190.61%) | 312218.6 W | Drop/Amp High |
| 10 AWG | 5.26 mm² | 30 A | 349.03 V (72.71%) | 131.0 V | 575.73 V (119.94%) | 196472.1 W | Drop/Amp High |
| 8 AWG | 8.37 mm² | 50 A | 219.34 V (45.7%) | 260.7 V | 361.81 V (75.38%) | 123469.9 W | Drop/Amp High |
| 6 AWG | 13.3 mm² | 65 A | 138.04 V (28.76%) | 342.0 V | 227.69 V (47.44%) | 77702.5 W | Drop/Amp High |
| 4 AWG | 21.15 mm² | 85 A | 86.8 V (18.08%) | 393.2 V | 143.18 V (29.83%) | 48862.6 W | Drop/Amp High |
| 3 AWG | 26.67 mm² | 100 A | 68.84 V (14.34%) | 411.2 V | 113.55 V (23.66%) | 38749.3 W | Drop/Amp High |
| 2 AWG | 33.62 mm² | 115 A | 54.61 V (11.38%) | 425.4 V | 90.08 V (18.77%) | 30738.9 W | Drop/Amp High |
| 1 AWG | 42.41 mm² | 130 A | 43.29 V (9.02%) | 436.7 V | 71.41 V (14.88%) | 24367.9 W | Drop/Amp High |
| 1/0 AWG | 53.49 mm² | 150 A | 34.32 V (7.15%) | 445.7 V | 56.61 V (11.79%) | 19320.3 W | Drop/Amp High |
| 2/0 AWG | 67.43 mm² | 175 A | 27.23 V (5.67%) | 452.8 V | 44.91 V (9.36%) | 15326.2 W | Drop/Amp High |
| 3/0 AWG | 85.01 mm² | 200 A | 21.6 V (4.5%) | 458.4 V | 35.62 V (7.42%) | 12156.7 W | Drop/Amp High |
| 4/0 AWG | 107.2 mm² | 230 A | 17.13 V (3.57%) | 462.9 V | 28.25 V (5.89%) | 9640.3 W | Drop/Amp High |
| 250 kcmil | 126.7 mm² | 255 A | 14.49 V (3.02%) | 465.5 V | 23.9 V (4.98%) | 8156.6 W | Drop/Amp High |
| 300 kcmil | 152.0 mm² | 285 A | 12.08 V (2.52%) | 467.9 V | 19.92 V (4.15%) | 6799.0 W | Drop/Amp High |
| 350 kcmil | 177.3 mm² | 310 A | 10.35 V (2.16%) | 469.6 V | 17.08 V (3.56%) | 5828.8 W | Drop/Amp High |
| 400 kcmil | 202.7 mm² | 335 A | 9.06 V (1.89%) | 470.9 V | 14.94 V (3.11%) | 5098.4 W | ✓ PASS (≤3%) |
| 500 kcmil | 253.4 mm² | 380 A | 7.24 V (1.51%) | 472.8 V | 11.95 V (2.49%) | 4078.3 W | ✓ PASS (≤3%) |
| 600 kcmil | 304.0 mm² | 420 A | 6.04 V (1.26%) | 474.0 V | 9.96 V (2.08%) | 3399.5 W | ✓ PASS (≤3%) |
| 750 kcmil | 380.0 mm² | 475 A | 4.83 V (1.01%) | 475.2 V | 7.97 V (1.66%) | 2719.6 W | ✓ PASS (≤3%) |
| 1000 kcmil | 506.7 mm² | 545 A | 3.62 V (0.75%) | 476.4 V | 5.98 V (1.25%) | 2039.6 W | ✓ PASS (≤3%) |
Frequently Asked Engineering Questions
What size copper wire do I need for 325 amps at 500 feet (480V)?
To stay within the NEC recommended 3% maximum voltage drop for a 325A load over 500 feet one-way at 480V (3-Phase), you need 400 kcmil copper wire. This produces a voltage drop of 9.06V (1.89%) and delivers 470.9V at the load.
What size aluminum wire is required for 325 amps at 500 feet?
Using aluminum conductors (75°C rating), you should use 600 kcmil to maintain voltage drop at 9.96V (2.08%).
What breaker size is needed for a 325A continuous load?
Under NEC 210.20(A), continuous loads require a circuit breaker rated at 125% of the continuous current (325A × 1.25 = 406.2A), which corresponds to a standard 450A circuit breaker.
Compare Other Distances & Amperages
325 Amp Wire Size by Distance (480V)
325A at 20 ft (480V)325A at 30 ft (480V)325A at 40 ft (480V)325A at 50 ft (480V)325A at 60 ft (480V)325A at 75 ft (480V)325A at 80 ft (480V)325A at 100 ft (480V)325A at 120 ft (480V)325A at 125 ft (480V)325A at 150 ft (480V)325A at 175 ft (480V)