I am building a 12x12 cabin in the middle of nowhere, and I have a 200 amp main breaker at the pole I am running the underground cable from. Do I need an underground cable that can carry 200 amps, as well as a circuit panel with a 200 amp main breaker, or can I reduce everything down to 100 amps or so? I have completed the rough wiring, and any info on the size of a circuit panel and underground wire I need to finish the project would be helpful.

Thanks!

re: 200 amp service panel	Warren Goodrich	8:28 am thursday september 20, 2001

A 200 amp disconnect may have what is called fuse reducing adapter brackets installed allowing 100 amp fuses to be installed in that 200 amp disconnect. Once you have installed the fuse reducer brackets and the 100 amp fuses you can then install your 100 amp underground feeder. A 100 amp rated underground feeder may be sized as 2 awg aluminum URD which is a direct burial underground cable using a three wire cable and installing a grounding electrode system [ground rod usually] at the cabin no conduit would be required if you have not rocks etc. that can damage that under ground feeder. Minimum burial depth for a residential setting such as what you discribe would be 18" deep.

If you opt to install your feeder in say sch 40 PVC while underground and sch 80 PVC where above ground and subject to physical damage. Your trench would still be required a minimum of 18" deep but you can change your wire inside that conduit to a set of 3 - 100 amp rated 4 awg. copper THWN or THW conductor using a 1 1/4" conduit again installing a grounding electrode system at the cabin.

Remeber that you must have a grounding electrode system at the pole where the 200 amp main service rated disconnect is located.

Also remember that you marry the neutrals and grounding bars in the panel in that cabin if you run a 3 wire feeder between that pole disconnect and cabin.

Hope this helps

Wg