splitting wire on a lug

[tdanner]

what are the threats of splitting a wire in a panel to fit the lug size even if you went one wire size bigger than the reqiured size?

 

[infinity]

Sorry but what are threats?

 

[Minuteman]

Why not use the right size wire and the right size lug?

 

[tdanner]

I was in a hurry

I was in a hurry

Sorry I asked that question in a hurry . a freind at work did a hot tub for someone it called for 6 wire , he used 4 but the neutral bar was not enough big enough for it so he split the wire under two screws.I advised him to get a bigger lug ,but he did not cut any strans from the wire.

 

[mdshunk]

There is an adaptor for most netural bars, such as a QO70AN that will allow you to put that #4 on the neutral bar.

 

[LECTRISHIN]

what are the threats of splitting a wire in a panel to fit the lug size even if you went one wire size bigger than the reqiured size?

Are you asking about splitting a wire into what you think are two equal size groups of strands and terminating them in two lugs that are a smaller size than the wire?

If this is what you are asking its a bad idea because one group may be a fraction smaller or shorter than the other and the current is going to follow the path of least resistance, possibly over heating and damaging one group and then the other.

I have gone on more than one " my electric is out " service call and found a neutral wire burnt in half because the the guy that installed the service couldn't fit the big wire in the little hole.

 

[ceknight]

what are the threats of splitting a wire in a panel to fit the lug size even if you went one wire size bigger than the reqiured size?

The most obvious threat is that it would look like hack work.

 

[tdanner]

thanks

thanks

those were the things I told him could be of concern .

thanks again talk to ya soon

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

those were the things I told him could be of concern .

thanks again talk to ya soon

The wire is not rated by number of strands.What he did is a violation and he deserves a red tag.Simply no reason to do what he did.

 

[romeo]

splitting wire on a lug

what are the threats of splitting a wire in a panel to fit the lug size even if you went one wire size bigger than the reqiured size?

Section 408.41 Each grounded conductor shall terminate within the panelboard in an individual terminal that is not used for other conductors.

 

[brian john]

It violates the UL listing, it violates the NEC and therfore is as mentioned HACK WORK.

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

I get #4's to land in a single hole on the neutral bar all the time. Did he try?

 

[stickboy1375]

cu or al? and what brand neutral bar?

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

CU.....Typically the solid GEC. Usually SQD panels. Have also used stranded without a problem also.

 

[paul]

If this is what you are asking its a bad idea because one group may be a fraction smaller or shorter than the other and the current is going to follow the path of least resistance, possibly over heating and damaging one group and then the other.

I disagree with this statement. Electricity follows all paths back to it's source.

 

[allenwayne]

Once you split he stranded conductors you have altered the cir mils.As stated there should be no problem landing the # 4 under a single lug like on a grounded or grounding buss.Now if it on a screw terminal like on a contactor the only remedy for this is to splice and down size the conductor for an appropriate sized conductor.Being that it is a #4 using a wire nut is not an option since I believe # 6 is the largest that wire nuts are rated for.Hope there is enough room to split bolt the connection.Just another reason where bigger is not always better

 

[iwire]

cu or al?

?

Why would it matter?

 

[abe72487]

splitting wire.

splitting wire.

This would make for poor workmanship get lug adaptor and do it right Take pride in your work

 

[stickboy1375]

?

Why would it matter?

I just like to thow in trick questions...

 

[Bea]

?

Why would it matter?

could be compacted AL