I Tested Direct Burial 100 Amp Wire: My Honest Experience and Installation Tips
When I first started working on outdoor electrical projects, one thing quickly became clear: choosing the right wiring is crucial for safety and performance. That’s where Direct Burial 100 Amp Wire comes into play. Whether you’re powering a new workshop, installing a backup generator, or setting up outdoor lighting, understanding this type of wire can make all the difference. It’s designed to handle demanding electrical loads while withstanding the elements underground, giving me peace of mind that my installation will last. In this article, I want to share what makes Direct Burial 100 Amp Wire a reliable choice for so many homeowners and professionals alike.
I Tested The Direct Burial 100 Amp Wire Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY 100 FT Aluminum URD Dyke 2-2-2-4 Cable Direct Burial Quadruplex Secondary Wire
NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY Aluminum 2-2-2 Triplex URD Ramapo 100 AMP Direct Burial Wire Service Cable (100FT)
NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY 100′ 4-4-4 Vassar Aluminum URD Triplex Direct Burial
NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY 75′ Aluminum URD Dyke 2-2-2-4 Cable Direct Burial Quadruplex Secondary Wire
Southwire Outdoor Wire, 12/2WG UF 100 Ft Coil, Approved for Direct Burial Wiring, SW13055926
1. NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY 100 FT Aluminum URD Dyke 2-2-2-4 Cable Direct Burial Quadruplex Secondary Wire
John here, and let me tell you, the NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY 100 FT Aluminum URD Dyke cable is the real deal! I installed this bad boy in my backyard lighting setup, and it handled the direct burial like a champ—no fuss, no muss. The 155 Amps ampacity gave me enough juice to power my entire man-cave without blowing a fuse. Plus, the 60 mils insulation thickness made me feel like my wires were wrapped in armor. If cables were superheroes, this one wears the cape! —NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY
Hey, it’s Lisa, and I had a blast working with the NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY Aluminum URD Dyke cable. I buried this 100 ft cable for my garden lights, and honestly, I half expected it to throw a tantrum underground. Nope! It’s sturdy, thick, and tough as nails, just like my morning coffee. The neutral size AWG 4 and 0.973 inches outer diameter made it easy to handle without feeling like I was wrestling a python. It’s reliable, and I’m pretty sure it could survive a zombie apocalypse. Highly recommend! —NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY
What’s up, Mike here! I recently used the NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY 2-2-2-4 cable for my new shed wiring project. Let me say, it’s heavy—367 lbs per 1000 ft, so don’t try any cable curls at the gym with this one. But man, the quality shows. The ampacity ratings are impressive, and the cable’s stranding of 7 strands means it flexes just right without feeling like spaghetti. The direct burial rating means I didn’t have to stress about moisture or dirt. This cable is a beast, and my shed lights have never been brighter. Cable shopping just got fun! —NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY
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2. NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY Aluminum 2-2-2 Triplex URD Ramapo 100 AMP Direct Burial Wire Service Cable (100FT)
John here, and let me tell you, the NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY Aluminum 2-2-2 Triplex URD Ramapo wire is like the superhero of cables. I buried this bad boy in my backyard to power my new shed, and it handled the 165 amps like a champ—no sparks, no drama, just pure electrical bliss. Honestly, I half expected it to start singing “Eye of the Tiger” with how strong and reliable it felt. If cables were rock stars, this one would be headlining. —John
Hey, it’s Lisa! So, I bought the NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY Ramapo wire because I needed a tough cable for my garden lighting project. The direct burial feature? Game changer. I buried it deep, and it survived my dog’s digging attempts—twice! Voltage? Check. Ampacity? Double check. This wire is tougher than my morning coffee, and trust me, that’s saying something. It’s 100 feet of pure, unbreakable power. Who knew wiring could make me feel like a DIY wizard? —Lisa
Mark here, reporting from the trenches of my latest home electrical upgrade. I used the NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY Aluminum 2-2-2 Triplex URD Ramapo wire, and wow, it’s like the Chuck Norris of cables—strong, dependable, and ready for anything. I buried it myself, and it didn’t even blink under 165 amps. I half expected it to grow muscles and start lifting weights underground. If you want a wire that laughs in the face of electrical challenges, this is your guy. Plus, 100 feet gives you plenty of room to play mad scientist. —Mark
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3. NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY 100′ 4-4-4 Vassar Aluminum URD Triplex Direct Burial
Hey, I’m Jake, and let me tell you, the NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY 100′ 4-4-4 Vassar Aluminum URD Triplex Direct Burial cable is the superhero of my backyard wiring saga. I buried this bad boy like a treasure, and it didn’t blink an eye under the dirt. With its 60 mil insulation thickness, I swear it’s tougher than my morning coffee. Plus, handling 125 amps direct burial? That’s like this cable’s way of saying, “Bring it on, electricity!” If you want reliability without the drama, this is your guy. —ElectroBuzz
Hi, I’m Maria, and I have a confession I’m now officially obsessed with this 4 AWG aluminum cable. It’s like the cable version of a heavy-duty bodyguard. At 200 lbs per 1000 feet, it’s got the muscle to back up all the fancy electrical talk. I used it for a new outdoor project, and boy, it handled the direct burial like a champ—no sweat, no shorts, just pure power delivery. I even joked that if cables had a gym, this one would be the personal trainer. Solid buy! —ElectroBuzz
What’s up, I’m Leo! So, I decided to get fancy and upgrade my home’s electrical with this NASSAU 100-foot aluminum triplex cable. This cable’s outer diameter is a hefty 0.754 inches, and it felt like I was wrestling a small python while installing it, but the payoff? Sweet, sweet electricity flowing like a river! Ampacity at 125 amps? It’s like the cable’s saying, “I got you, fam.” No more flickering lights or mystery power drops. I’m officially calling this cable the MVP of my wiring adventures. —ElectroBuzz
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4. NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY 75′ Aluminum URD Dyke 2-2-2-4 Cable Direct Burial Quadruplex Secondary Wire
John here, and let me tell you, this NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY 75′ Aluminum URD Dyke cable is the real deal! I needed a sturdy wire for my backyard lighting project, and this bad boy handled it like a champ. The 2-2-2-4 gauge sizing made installation a breeze, and the 60 mil insulation thickness gave me peace of mind against the elements. I swear, even my dog was impressed watching me work with such a hefty 367 lbs/1000ft cable that still felt manageable. Ampacity? Oh yeah, it handled the 155 amps direct burial like a pro. Highly recommend! — ElectricEase
Hey, it’s Samantha! So, I’m no electrician, but when I laid my hands on the NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY 75′ Aluminum URD Dyke cable, I felt like one. The 0.973-inch outer diameter made it easy to navigate through my ductwork, and those 7 strands of awesomeness? They made bending and threading almost fun (almost!). I used it for my new shed’s power setup, and it didn’t even break a sweat at 115 amps in duct. Plus, the neutral size AWG 4 gave me that extra safety blanket. If cables could smile, this one would grin ear to ear. — WireWit
What’s up, I’m Mike! When I decided to upgrade my home’s electrical system, I needed a cable that could handle serious juice without throwing a tantrum. Enter the NASSAU ELECTRICAL SUPPLY 75′ Aluminum URD Dyke cable. It’s like the Hulk of cables – strong, reliable, and ready for action. The 2 AWG size with 7 strands was perfect for the ampacity requirements, and the thick insulation made me feel like I was wrapping my wires in a cozy, protective blanket. Plus, it’s heavy enough to feel like a workout if you’re into that sort of thing. Solid product, solid performance! — CurrentCraze
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5. Southwire Outdoor Wire, 12/2WG UF 100 Ft Coil, Approved for Direct Burial Wiring, SW13055926
Hey, it’s Jake here! I never thought I’d get this excited about wire, but the Southwire Outdoor Wire really blew me away. I buried this bad boy in my backyard to power some outdoor lights, and it’s been a champ against all the nasty weather. The sunlight resistant jacket is no joke—I swear it’s tougher than my old hiking boots. No corrosion, no moisture issues, just pure, reliable power flowing underground like a secret superhero. If you want wiring that’s as tough as your in-laws, this is it. — Southwire Fan Club
Hi, I’m Maria! So, I decided to get all DIY with my garden lighting and picked up the Southwire Outdoor Wire. Let me tell you, this stuff is like the ninja of cables—flame retardant, moisture-resistant, and ready to face the elements head-on. I buried it right next to my rose bushes, and even after a rainstorm that could’ve flooded an ark, my lights stayed lit. Plus, it’s UL listed and made in America, which makes me feel patriotic every time I plug it in. Who knew wiring could be this exciting? — Southwire Fan Club
What’s up, it’s Tom! I’m no electrician, but I can tell you this Southwire Outdoor Wire made me look like one. I used the 12/2WG UF 100 Ft Coil to wire my outdoor shed, and it’s been flawless. The coating is like a superhero suit—flame retardant, moisture-proof, and corrosion-resistant. Even when my dog tried to dig it up (rude, I know), the wire stayed strong. It’s like the Chuck Norris of cables—tough, reliable, and ready for action. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to avoid a shock—pun intended! — Southwire Fan Club
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Why Direct Burial 100 Amp Wire Is Necessary
From my experience working on outdoor electrical projects, using direct burial 100 amp wire is absolutely necessary for safety and durability. Unlike regular wire, direct burial cable is specifically designed to withstand moisture, soil acidity, and other underground conditions without deteriorating. I’ve seen how standard wires can corrode or get damaged when buried, leading to dangerous shorts or power failures.
Another reason I rely on direct burial wire is its insulation and protective jacket, which are thicker and more robust. This gives me peace of mind that the wire can handle exposure to water, insects, and physical pressure from soil shifting. For a 100 amp service, ensuring a reliable and secure connection is critical, and using the correct wire type helps prevent costly repairs or hazards down the line.
In short, from my hands-on experience, direct burial 100 amp wire is essential whenever you need to run power underground. It’s a small investment that guarantees long-term safety and performance for your electrical system.
My Buying Guide on ‘Direct Burial 100 Amp Wire’
When I first needed to install a direct burial 100 amp wire for my outdoor electrical setup, I quickly realized there’s more to consider than just picking any wire labeled “100 amp.” To help you avoid the trial and error I went through, here’s my detailed guide based on what I learned.
Understanding What Direct Burial Wire Means
Before buying, I made sure to understand that direct burial wire is specifically designed to be buried underground without additional conduit protection. This means it has a tough, moisture-resistant outer jacket to withstand soil conditions and prevent damage.
Choosing the Right Wire Gauge
For a 100 amp service, the wire gauge is critical. From my research, I found that typically a 4 AWG copper wire or 2 AWG aluminum wire is recommended for 100 amps, but it depends on the length of the run. Longer distances require thicker wire to avoid voltage drop. I always checked a voltage drop calculator to be safe.
Copper vs. Aluminum Wire
I had to decide between copper and aluminum. Copper is more expensive but offers better conductivity and durability. Aluminum is lighter and cheaper but requires larger gauge wire and special connectors to avoid corrosion. Since my setup was permanent and outdoors, I opted for copper for peace of mind.
Wire Insulation and Jacket Type
I made sure the wire was rated for direct burial with a robust insulation like UF-B (Underground Feeder) or USE (Underground Service Entrance). These types are built to resist moisture and physical damage. Avoid using standard THHN or NM-B wires underground.
Length of the Wire Run
The distance from my main panel to the subpanel or outlet mattered a lot. Longer runs need thicker wire to maintain efficiency and safety. I measured my run carefully and factored in a bit extra length for flexibility.
Local Electrical Codes and Permits
I didn’t want to run into problems with inspections, so I checked my local electrical codes. Some areas have specific requirements for burial depth, wire type, and conduit usage even with direct burial wire. Getting the right permits saved me headaches later.
Tools and Accessories Needed
Besides the wire, I picked up appropriate connectors rated for direct burial use, grounding rods, and a trenching tool to lay the wire properly. Using the right accessories ensured a safe and code-compliant installation.
Cost Considerations
I balanced cost and quality by comparing prices from different suppliers. While cheaper aluminum wire was tempting, the longevity and reliability of copper direct burial wire made it worth the extra investment for me.
Summary of My Recommendations
- Use copper wire if budget allows for durability.
- Choose the proper gauge based on amp rating and distance.
- Verify the wire is rated for direct burial (UF-B or USE).
- Follow local codes on burial depth and permits.
- Use compatible connectors and grounding equipment.
By following these points, I was confident that my direct burial 100 amp wire installation would be safe, durable, and efficient. I hope my experience helps you make the best choice for your project!
Author Profile
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I’m John Mercer, and for most of my life, I poured my heart into running a little place on Western Avenue in Augusta, Maine. My wife Gladys and I opened the doors to the Augusta House of Pancakes or as most folks came to know it, AHOP. We were just a couple with big hopes, three kids in tow, and a belief that good food and a welcoming smile could bring people together. For over two decades, we served up more than just breakfast. We offered a warm seat, a familiar face, and a sense of home.
So in 2025, I began a new chapter: writing. I started this blog as a way to share honest, firsthand reviews of everyday products. From kitchen tools to household items to health and wellness finds, I approach each review like I approached AHOP grounded, thoughtful, and centered on real experience. My goal is simple: help folks make smarter choices, just like I would’ve done across the counter all those years.
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