Rookie mistake

[gulf0927]

Attaching the GEC to panel today, got hit...the insulation from the wire came in contact with the busbar, which I thought could withstand 600v...is it just that the insulation is too thin to resist the potential difference? It was #8 thhn

 

[Cow]

You nicked the insulation when it contacted the buss bar.

To put it in perspective, there would be wires shorting out all across the country if the wire insulation couldn't handle the 600v it's generally rated for.

 

[Little Bill]

I agree, the insulation got nicked, probably when entering the panel.

How are you getting by with a #8 GEC? Also, why not use bare solid GEC?

 

[flatlander]

What are you doing working it live.

 

[JFletcher]

The insulation was damaged, missing, or the end of the wire hit the bussbar. Save for color, there is zero difference in the insulation on green, red, blue, black, white, etc. THHN.

No, you should not be working live. #8... what panel size is it?

 

[roger]

What are you doing working it live.

I agree and why would it be live before the GEC was connected in the first place.

Roger

 

[Fulthrotl]

Attaching the GEC to panel today, got hit...

What are you doing working it live.

No, you should not be working live.

I agree and why would it be live before the GEC was connected in the first place.

Roger

so, we are glad you are here, and not in the burn ward......

see a common thread in the replies?

 

[Mikros]

#8 cu is the smallest GEC in table 250.66, I think it was for #2cu or 1/0alu.

I agree with others that it's extremely unlikely that the voltage jumped the insulation, and yeah, shut it off.

 

[gulf0927]

Thanks for the safety tips guys, guess I've been getting too comfortable as of late. Oh and it's an 80 amp sub panel to a garage so # 8 did the trick. In schedule 80 in the outside of building.