Paralleld Aluminum Conductors going to a Main Breaker

[Michael Munholand]

I have this situation: I have four(4) parallel Aluminum conductors feeding a three phase Kirk key Main Breaker. The problem I am having is that the breaker is lugged to accept three(3) conductors per phase not four (4). am I allowed to run two(2) of the conductors per phase under the same lug as long as it stays of course within the same phase group? please let me know where this is found in the 2011 code. Next, if the above can not be done and I don't have the resources or time to redo this to a larger frame sized breaker could I run the feeders to a Polaris type fitting for each phase and then run a feeder from there to the breaker?

 

[petersonra]

I have this situation: I have four(4) parallel Aluminum conductors feeding a three phase Kirk key Main Breaker. The problem I am having is that the breaker is lugged to accept three(3) conductors per phase not four (4). am I allowed to run two(2) of the conductors per phase under the same lug as long as it stays of course within the same phase group? please let me know where this is found in the 2011 code. Next, if the above can not be done and I don't have the resources or time to redo this to a larger frame sized breaker could I run the feeders to a Polaris type fitting for each phase and then run a feeder from there to the breaker?

I think you are out of luck on the lugs. If it is rated for 3 wires, that is the maximum number of wires you can use.

The Polaris connector is workable, but they take up a lot of room. I don't believe the connection from the connector to the breaker is a feeder though. It is just an extension of the conductors. I generally use these connectors in the panel mounting style.

Sometimes you can replace the terminals that came with the breaker. Depending on the type of breaker you have, you might be able to replace the existing lugs with a piece of bus bar from the manufacturer and than bolt on two 2-port mechanical lugs to that (one on top - one on bottom). The manufacturer might even have a set of terminals available that have 4 ports.