Wire too large for CB.

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rrc14

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Location
Anchorage, AK
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Engineer
Working on a project where the plans call out a 8AWG conductor, however the CB can accept up to a 10AWG conductor. The oversized wire must be for voltage drop. Is it acceptable to splice a short piece of 10AWG(1'-2') to the 8AWG conductor in the panelboard so that it can be terminated to the CB? The other suggestion I'd suggest to the engineer is to replace existing CB with a larger frame.

Thanks.

RC
 
Yes you can add a short piece of #10 without an issue. One foot of the #10 will not affect the voltage drop by much.
 
Curious, what manufacturer is the breaker ? Most of the ones I see are rated thru a #8.
 
K8MHZ said:
You could use pin adapters.
Click to expand...

You have to assure that the pin adaptors are rated for the terminals. Terminals are tested for use with rated wire which includes a temperature rise and pull test which the wire installed in the terminal at a given torque. I think it is UL486. It was one of the hardest research things that I ever did was to prove that locomotive or welders cable, Hypalon cable, can not be used to terminate in a lug that is commonly found on most breakers and starters, etc. I seems as though it was the best kept secrete.
There is nothing to prevent you from using a ring tongue terminal with a bolts(screws) and special nuts are often available as a fastener. I know that Eaton has them.
The problem with terminal is it is very hard to find what can and what can not be terminated with them.
 
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