When it comes to 600 amp service, there are several possible approaches to choosing the size of the wire.

• First, you can run a single 1000 kcmil to 1250 kcmil copper wire or a 1250 kcmil to 1500 kcmil aluminum wire.
• Alternatively, you can use a run of several smaller parallel wires, because they are less expensive and easier to install. For a 600 amp project, this means using two 350 kcmil copper wires per (2 x 310 = 620 A). 
• It is also possible to use three #4/0 AWG copper wires per leg (3 x 230 = 690 A).
• Finally, you could even use a readily available 1000 kcmil wire if it is possible to adjust the electrical requirements to its 545-amp capacity. However, this is not the best option if you intend to use 600 Amp service to full capacity.

When To Go For 600 Amp Service

In commercial and residential applications, a 600-amp service is a common occurrence. Here are some of the buildings where 600-Amp service is pretty common:

• Large shops
• Multi-storeyed office buildings that host multiple businesses
• Small to medium manufacturing facilities
• Shopping centers
• Large restaurants
• Small data centers
• Healthcare facilities
• Schools and colleges
• Hotels, sports centers, and dealerships

When it comes to 600 amp residential service, such high power capacity is an overkill in most cases. Even more so, establishing such a service is quite expensive. Depending on the location and the proximity of a substation, you can be looking at anywhere between $40k to $100k, so make sure you really need a 600 amp electrical service in your house, as this is a high-end electrical project. One of the reasons why the price is so high is because a larger transformer is needed for 600-amp, 800-amp, and 100-amp service.

Before deciding on a 600-amp service, it is necessary to perform electrical load calculations. If the end result is below 400 amps (around 350 amps), it is best not to go for 600-amp service as it is way too expensive for the probability of a future upgrade.

So, which houses might need 600-amp service?

• Houses over 10,000 sq. ft 
• Luxury houses with large home theaters, extensive outdoor lighting, and multiple kitchens
• Houses with over 10 HVAC units and complex HVAC systems
• Homes with significant electrical demands, including heaters, dryers, saunas, pools, spas, and home automation systems
• Houses with high-capacity demanding solar panel arrays and power generators
• Houses equipped for high-capacity crypto mining

The final decision on whether to invest in 600-amp service should be based on load calculation and budgeting.

Cables for 600 Amp Service

• When selecting cables for residential 600 amp service, one thing to consider is that there are only so many commercially available 1250 MCM and 1500 MCM cables, and most of the available cables are industrial. One of the options that is available is MV-105 cable in copper and aluminum.
• If you choose to go with 1000 MCM service and adjust to the ampacity requirements of that cable, THHN-THWN-2 cable is an option for you.
• Choosing to go for a parallel run ultimately gives you more options. If you run two parallel 350 kcmil copper wires, plenty of options exist, including MC Metal Clad, XHHW, XLP USE RHH/RHW-2, and others.
• Running three copper cables sized 4/0 gives you any option on the market that is suitable for service wiring, including copper SER and SEU.

All cables mentioned here are available at NNC at excellent prices and in bulk. In any case, establishing a 600-Amp service is a serious electrical project that requires professional advice.