Electrical issue

Specific Inspection Topics Electrical Inspections
1

Performed an inspection last week. Had an issue where a stranded wire was split and shoved under either side of the breaker’s lug in the main electric service panel. Reported this as incorrect and a qualified electrician should repair.

Seller’s realtor reports: electrician insists there is no problem with this, though he could put smaller connectors on, but then you’d have to add a wire nut to the wire (i.e. MORE connections). Electrician says it is solid and not loose and there is no problem.

What I need is some clarification or code to give to the realtor to back up my findings.

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2

If She has an electrician who will take the liability of saying it is fine then You are done imho…let Him write a letter on His company logo stating so and it’s all good…You reported what You saw …

3

There should be no need to split a conductor to make it fit the breaker. What size wire and breaker was involved?

4

That was the problem Jim the wire size was #8 and breaker was 20 amp. Original installer had to split the strands so it would fit lug.

5

Well then that 's the problem. The CB can only terminate a conductor within it’s listed size range. From the photo it appears to me that it’s a #6.

6

I don’t think that looks like a #6.

Last week saw a 20 amp Cutler-Hammer BR that would accept up to a #6.

7

So you’re guessing that it’s actually larger than a #6? Could be, maybe I should have said it appears to be at least a #6. A 20 amp QO CB is listed for a #8 conductor.

8

Looking at the pic… and based upon experience… the Sparky is or was the homeowner/seller!

As Jim stated, the conductor is too large for the breaker, thus needing to “split” it.

Not acceptable! :wink:

9

Yes Robert, I think it might be larger than #6. I was not very clear.

10

Why would anyone want to connect 8 Ga wire to 20A CB?:shock:

11

Keep in mind… it’s AL, not CU.

http://www.armstrongssupply.com/wire_chart.htm

12

Even with Al it is still good for a minimum of 30A CB.

13

They might have had an electric stove and now have a gas stove .
The gas stove only requires an 120 v receptacle .
An easier way to do it is with an adapter .
http://www.homedepot.ca/product/gas-range-adaptor/905477

Description

15 A. 1875 W. 125 V. Gas range adapter converts 220 V to 110 V. Grounded. Simply plug gas range into this adapter, then into the existing electric range outlet. Built-in 15-A fuse for safety.

14

Interesting gadget Roy. And includes a handy fuse. What will China come up with next.