#4 solid??

[hbiss]

I was at Lowes today looking for #4 bare stranded. All they had in bare was #4. I didn't think there was anything above #8 in solid? I used to have #6 solid but that was for telecom grounding. Geeze, I looked at that #4 and thought that I would have to get out my EMT bender to bend it.

-Hal

 

[LarryFine]

I always use solid bare #6 and 4 copper for rod and pipe GECs, respectively.

The only time the #4 is really hard to bend is putting a 90 on a short end.

 

[hbiss]

My point was I thought anything larger than #8 had to be stranded per the NEC.

-Hal

 

[roger]

We used to use #2 tinned solid copper for grounding around Bell South buildings.

 

[Greentagger]

You are looking for the reference 310.3(C).

 

[infinity]

My point was I thought anything larger than #8 had to be stranded per the NEC.

Only if it's installed in a raceway. I see in other places guys use solid for GEC's. No one around here uses solid with the exception of pool bonding.

 

[electrofelon]

We used to use #2 tinned solid copper for grounding around Bell South buildings.

In the past I did some cell tower grounding and that was also #2 tinned solid copper.

 

[LarryFine]

In the past I did some cell tower grounding and that was also #2 tinned solid copper.

Absolutely. Same here. I still have the eothermic-welding molds.

 

[electrofelon]

Absolutely. Same here. I still have the eothermic-welding molds.

Yeah the cad welding was kinda fun

 

[Hv&Lv]

We use #6 coated solid for grounding poles.
#4 solid coated for XF stingers
#2 solid for some sub grounding.

1/0 solid is too dang hard to work with. Anything over #2 is stranded

 

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

I always run #4 solid to rods and CEEs. Just habit I guess.

 

[hillbilly1]

I always run #4 solid to rods and CEEs. Just habit I guess.

Me too, and most installs don’t require it to be in conduit, so not a problem.

 

[Little Bill]

I try to use #6 bare for my grounding, but some POCOs require a #4 solid.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I was at Lowes today looking for #4 bare stranded. All they had in bare was #4. I didn't think there was anything above #8 in solid? I used to have #6 solid but that was for telecom grounding. Geeze, I looked at that #4 and thought that I would have to get out my EMT bender to bend it.

-Hal

310.3(C) Stranded Conductors.
Where installed in raceways, conductors 8 AWG and larger shall be stranded, unless specifically permitted or required elsewhere in this Code to be solid.

 

[Eddie702]

My point was I thought anything larger than #8 had to be stranded per the NEC.

-Hal

I thought that as well. Maybe the restriction is only when pulling in conduit?

 

[Hv&Lv]

310.3(C) Stranded Conductors.
Where installed in raceways, conductors 8 AWG and larger shall be stranded, unless specifically permitted or required elsewhere in this Code to be solid.

I would hate to know someone asked me to pull in some 10 or 8 solid in a conduit.
Unless it's 4"
I’m surprised it isn't 10 or larger..

 

[hbiss]

Guess I just remembered the larger than #8 part. Pity the poor guy trying to pull #4 solid through 1/2" and jump the water meter for a GEC. Always used stranded.

-Hal

 

[Fred B]

I was at Lowes today looking for #4 bare stranded. All they had in bare was #4. I didn't think there was anything above #8 in solid? I used to have #6 solid but that was for telecom grounding. Geeze, I looked at that #4 and thought that I would have to get out my EMT bender to bend it.

-Hal

Don't know either, Lowes here to only solid #4. I hate the stuff, even to get it into a panel and landed on the bus is a bear. All I know is it is actually smaller diameter than stranded and will land without adding a lug for the ground onto the bus, and less likely to have the handyman split the cable to land in 2 lug holes rather than a lug. Another disadvantage is you are not going to use a crimp fitting to extend the GEC, at least I haven't seen on listed for solid conductors. It is less likely to fly in the panel as it is so stiff that if you can get it to mold it is not moving. But outside the panel box it is next to impossible to get a neat installation as it is uncoiled.

 

[Hv&Lv]

Don't know either, Lowes here to only solid #4. I hate the stuff, even to get it into a panel and landed on the bus is a bear. All I know is it is actually smaller diameter than stranded and will land without adding a lug for the ground onto the bus, and less likely to have the handyman split the cable to land in 2 lug holes rather than a lug. Another disadvantage is you are not going to use a crimp fitting to extend the GEC, at least I haven't seen on listed for solid conductors. It is less likely to fly in the panel as it is so stiff that if you can get it to mold it is not moving. But outside the panel box it is next to impossible to get a neat installation as it is uncoiled.

They have splices for this. It’s generally commercial or utility.
We have irreversible splices that are rated for direct buried also.
You have to hunt up the UL listed ones.

Here’s a butt splice.

4 AWG Non Insulated Butt Splice Connectors, 2 1/4" Length, UL Approved, 10 Pieces - BNT22-58

NON INSULATED BUTT SPLICE CONNECTORS Non Insulated butt splice connectors protect the electrical connections from wire pull-outs, abrasion and mechanical abuse. Butt splice connectors must be crimped on both ends to work effectively. For use with copper wires only. Dimensions & Features: Wire...

www.ferrulesdirect.com

 

[Fred B]

They have splices for this. It’s generally commercial or utility.
We have irreversible splices that are rated for direct buried also.
You have to hunt up the UL listed ones.

Here’s a butt splice.

4 AWG Non Insulated Butt Splice Connectors, 2 1/4" Length, UL Approved, 10 Pieces - BNT22-58

NON INSULATED BUTT SPLICE CONNECTORS Non Insulated butt splice connectors protect the electrical connections from wire pull-outs, abrasion and mechanical abuse. Butt splice connectors must be crimped on both ends to work effectively. For use with copper wires only. Dimensions & Features: Wire...

www.ferrulesdirect.com

This one even within the cut sheet doesn't indicate solid or stranded.