two pole breaker terminal size

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Greg1707

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Alexandria, VA
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Business owner Electrical contractor
I replaced a 40 year old ITE panel with a new Siemens. The AL wire for the electric furnace would not fit in the new 60 amp breaker. I noticed the ITE breaker was marked 2-6 and the new Siemens breaker was 4-6.

Anyone know why the change? This required using Polaris connectors to reduce the wire so it would fit in the new breaker.
 
jumper said:
Here is a blow up.

You torque 6-4 to 45 in/lbs and 3-2/0 to 50 in/lbs. Hence, wires from 6-2/0 will fit.

View attachment 18409
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You sure that is a 60 amp breaker?

I don't use a lot of Siemens, but have had many motor or air conditioning applications where using 8 or even 10 AWG on 60 amp breakers - that one doesn't claim to be suitable for that small of a conductor. I can't recall ever seeing a 60 amp miniature breaker that accepts more then about 2 AWG either. Most 80-125 amp breakers I have seen will accept up to about 2/0 though
 
kwired said:
You sure that is a 60 amp breaker?

I don't use a lot of Siemens, but have had many motor or air conditioning applications where using 8 or even 10 AWG on 60 amp breakers - that one doesn't claim to be suitable for that small of a conductor. I can't recall ever seeing a 60 amp miniature breaker that accepts more then about 2 AWG either. Most 80-125 amp breakers I have seen will accept up to about 2/0 though
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Same link as above.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Siemens-60-Amp-Double-Pole-Type-QP-Circuit-Breaker-Q260/100017724

•Accepts #8-#2/0 AWG Cu or or #8-#2/0 AWG Al Wire
Click to expand...

It is a cut and paste of the 60A breaker shown.
 
Last edited:
different breaker

different breaker

We must be comparing different Siemens 60 amp breakers. The ones I have do not have that type of screw. The screw is for combination flat or those square drivers. The breaker in your photo uses a flat screw driver.
 
same breaker

same breaker

There must be some mix up at the factory. I have the same model breaker. The breaker has the smaller ports and is stamped on the front 8-4. I will check with supply house.
 
Greg1707 said:
I replaced a 40 year old ITE panel with a new Siemens. The AL wire for the electric furnace would not fit in the new 60 amp breaker. I noticed the ITE breaker was marked 2-6 and the new Siemens breaker was 4-6.

Anyone know why the change? This required using Polaris connectors to reduce the wire so it would fit in the new breaker.
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Is #6 60 amp Rated? If you protect a wire at 60 amps why would need a wire larger than #6

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I may be missing something, but why not use the appropriate breaker size for the wire and make sure the furnace breaker is the right size for the furnace?
 
manic67 said:
I may be missing something, but why not use the appropriate breaker size for the wire and make sure the furnace breaker is the right size for the furnace?
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Daniel malack said:
What Is amperage required and distance to furnace?
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The OP is dealing with existing conditions, we don't know why they are what they are and it doesn't really matter, he is questioning why Siemens changed the terminations in the design of the breaker. The OP already had the solution.

Roger
 
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