250 kcmil Wire — Ampacity & Voltage Drop
Complete specifications for 250 kcmil conductors including ampacity ratings from NEC Table 310.16, resistance values from NEC Chapter 9 Table 8, and pre-computed voltage drop tables at multiple distances. The 250 kcmil conductor has a cross-sectional area of 250,000 circular mils and a diameter of 0.5 inches. Use the tables below for quick reference, or use the wire size calculator for custom parameters.
250 kcmil Specifications
Ampacity Ratings (NEC Table 310.16)
| Material | 60°C | 75°C | 90°C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 215 A | 255 A | 290 A |
| Aluminum | 172 A | 204 A | 232 A |
Voltage Drop Table — 250 kcmil Copper at 120V
The table below shows the voltage drop in volts and percentage for 250 kcmil copper conductors at 120 volts, single-phase, at various distances and amperages. Cells highlighted in red exceed the NEC recommended 3% voltage drop limit for branch circuits. Use these values to quickly determine if 250 kcmil is adequate for your 120-volt circuit at the planned distance, or if you need to upsize to a larger gauge.
| Distance | 15A | 20A | 30A | 40A | 50A | 60A | 80A | 100A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 ft | 0.0V 0.0% | 0.1V 0.0% | 0.1V 0.1% | 0.1V 0.1% | 0.1V 0.1% | 0.1V 0.1% | 0.2V 0.2% | 0.3V 0.2% |
| 50 ft | 0.1V 0.1% | 0.1V 0.1% | 0.1V 0.1% | 0.2V 0.2% | 0.3V 0.2% | 0.3V 0.3% | 0.4V 0.3% | 0.5V 0.4% |
| 75 ft | 0.1V 0.1% | 0.1V 0.1% | 0.2V 0.2% | 0.3V 0.3% | 0.4V 0.3% | 0.5V 0.4% | 0.6V 0.5% | 0.8V 0.6% |
| 100 ft | 0.1V 0.1% | 0.2V 0.2% | 0.3V 0.3% | 0.4V 0.3% | 0.5V 0.4% | 0.6V 0.5% | 0.8V 0.7% | 1.0V 0.9% |
| 125 ft | 0.2V 0.2% | 0.3V 0.2% | 0.4V 0.3% | 0.5V 0.4% | 0.6V 0.5% | 0.8V 0.6% | 1.0V 0.9% | 1.3V 1.1% |
| 150 ft | 0.2V 0.2% | 0.3V 0.3% | 0.5V 0.4% | 0.6V 0.5% | 0.8V 0.6% | 0.9V 0.8% | 1.2V 1.0% | 1.6V 1.3% |
| 200 ft | 0.3V 0.3% | 0.4V 0.3% | 0.6V 0.5% | 0.8V 0.7% | 1.0V 0.9% | 1.2V 1.0% | 1.6V 1.4% | 2.1V 1.7% |
| 250 ft | 0.4V 0.3% | 0.5V 0.4% | 0.8V 0.6% | 1.0V 0.9% | 1.3V 1.1% | 1.6V 1.3% | 2.1V 1.7% | 2.6V 2.1% |
| 300 ft | 0.5V 0.4% | 0.6V 0.5% | 0.9V 0.8% | 1.2V 1.0% | 1.6V 1.3% | 1.9V 1.6% | 2.5V 2.1% | 3.1V 2.6% |
| 400 ft | 0.6V 0.5% | 0.8V 0.7% | 1.2V 1.0% | 1.6V 1.4% | 2.1V 1.7% | 2.5V 2.1% | 3.3V 2.8% | 4.1V 3.4% |
| 500 ft | 0.8V 0.6% | 1.0V 0.9% | 1.6V 1.3% | 2.1V 1.7% | 2.6V 2.1% | 3.1V 2.6% | 4.1V 3.4% | 5.2V 4.3% |
Voltage Drop Table — 250 kcmil Copper at 240V
The following table shows voltage drop for 250 kcmil copper conductors at 240 volts, single-phase. Because 240-volt circuits have a higher supply voltage, the percentage voltage drop is lower for the same absolute voltage loss. This means 250 kcmil wire can run longer distances on a 240-volt circuit before exceeding the 3% limit compared to a 120-volt circuit carrying the same current.
| Distance | 15A | 20A | 30A | 40A | 50A | 60A | 80A | 100A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 ft | 0.0V 0.0% | 0.1V 0.0% | 0.1V 0.0% | 0.1V 0.0% | 0.1V 0.1% | 0.1V 0.1% | 0.2V 0.1% | 0.3V 0.1% |
| 50 ft | 0.1V 0.0% | 0.1V 0.0% | 0.1V 0.1% | 0.2V 0.1% | 0.3V 0.1% | 0.3V 0.1% | 0.4V 0.2% | 0.5V 0.2% |
| 75 ft | 0.1V 0.1% | 0.1V 0.1% | 0.2V 0.1% | 0.3V 0.1% | 0.4V 0.2% | 0.5V 0.2% | 0.6V 0.3% | 0.8V 0.3% |
| 100 ft | 0.1V 0.1% | 0.2V 0.1% | 0.3V 0.1% | 0.4V 0.2% | 0.5V 0.2% | 0.6V 0.3% | 0.8V 0.3% | 1.0V 0.4% |
| 125 ft | 0.2V 0.1% | 0.3V 0.1% | 0.4V 0.2% | 0.5V 0.2% | 0.6V 0.3% | 0.8V 0.3% | 1.0V 0.4% | 1.3V 0.5% |
| 150 ft | 0.2V 0.1% | 0.3V 0.1% | 0.5V 0.2% | 0.6V 0.3% | 0.8V 0.3% | 0.9V 0.4% | 1.2V 0.5% | 1.6V 0.6% |
| 200 ft | 0.3V 0.1% | 0.4V 0.2% | 0.6V 0.3% | 0.8V 0.3% | 1.0V 0.4% | 1.2V 0.5% | 1.6V 0.7% | 2.1V 0.9% |
| 250 ft | 0.4V 0.2% | 0.5V 0.2% | 0.8V 0.3% | 1.0V 0.4% | 1.3V 0.5% | 1.6V 0.6% | 2.1V 0.9% | 2.6V 1.1% |
| 300 ft | 0.5V 0.2% | 0.6V 0.3% | 0.9V 0.4% | 1.2V 0.5% | 1.6V 0.6% | 1.9V 0.8% | 2.5V 1.0% | 3.1V 1.3% |
| 400 ft | 0.6V 0.3% | 0.8V 0.3% | 1.2V 0.5% | 1.6V 0.7% | 2.1V 0.9% | 2.5V 1.0% | 3.3V 1.4% | 4.1V 1.7% |
| 500 ft | 0.8V 0.3% | 1.0V 0.4% | 1.6V 0.6% | 2.1V 0.9% | 2.6V 1.1% | 3.1V 1.3% | 4.1V 1.7% | 5.2V 2.1% |
How Far Can You Run 250 kcmil?
One of the most common questions electricians and homeowners ask is how far a particular wire gauge can run before exceeding the NEC voltage drop recommendation. The answer depends on the circuit voltage, the current draw, and whether you are using the 3% branch circuit limit or the 5% feeder-plus-branch limit. Below are maximum one-way distances for 250 kcmil copper at 3% voltage drop:
| Load | 120V Max Distance | 240V Max Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Amps | 2330 ft | 4660 ft |
| 20 Amps | 1747 ft | 3495 ft |
| 30 Amps | 1165 ft | 2330 ft |
| 40 Amps | 873 ft | 1747 ft |
| 50 Amps | 699 ft | 1398 ft |
These distances represent the maximum one-way run from the breaker panel to the load. If your run exceeds these limits, you must use a larger wire gauge to keep the voltage drop within acceptable limits. For feeder circuits where the 5% combined limit applies, you can extend the run by approximately 67% beyond the 3% distances shown above, but only if the branch circuit portion stays within its own 3% allowance.
Common Uses for 250 kcmil
250 kcmil copper is rated for 215-290 amps and is the first of the kcmil (thousand circular mils) sizes. These large conductors are used for commercial service entrances, industrial distribution, and heavy feeder circuits. At this size, parallel runs of smaller conductors are sometimes preferred for easier installation. Aluminum 250 kcmil is commonly used for commercial 200-225 amp services.
When selecting 250 kcmil for your installation, always verify that the ampacity meets or exceeds the circuit breaker rating, the voltage drop is within NEC recommendations for the run distance, and the terminations at both ends are rated for the conductor material and size. For circuits serving continuous loads (operating 3 hours or more), the conductor must be sized at 125% of the continuous load current. Consult NEC Article 210 for branch circuit requirements and Article 215 for feeder circuit requirements.
Other Wire Sizes
Browse specifications and voltage drop tables for other wire gauges. Selecting the correct wire size requires balancing ampacity, voltage drop, cost, and installation practicality.