Thread: Grounded conductor split between two terminals

Any real hazard associated with this?

Define "real" and "hazard".

Only when something goes not good ("wrong").

The code requires the conductor to terminate in an individual hole. Lug adapters are available for larger,conductors.

Originally Posted by Jim Port

The code requires the conductor to terminate in an individual hole. Lug adapters are available for larger,conductors.

Yeah, but that’s an extra $2.50 and requires the yahoo that did this know what they’re doing. I suppose it’s better than what you normally see: half the strands clipped off and the remainder haphazardly shoved in there.

Either leg could potentially carry the entire load of the full size wire. Since the leg is roughly half the size of the wire, it is undersized and could overheat leading to fire.

Is there a potential for arcs to jump between the two legs near where they split?

The hazard would be if one were loose forcing the current onto the now undersized conductor. You could get some arcing at the loose connection to the bus.

Originally Posted by Corn Walker

Yeah, but that’s an extra $2.50 and requires the yahoo that did this know what they’re doing. I suppose it’s better than what you normally see: half the strands clipped off and the remainder haphazardly shoved in there.

I think they did that too, on the top lug.

That is a listing violation. The equipment label will state what size wire can be in the hole and that ain't it. Strands are broken and damaged.

Originally Posted by Jim Port

The hazard would be if one were loose forcing the current onto the now undersized conductor. You could get some arcing at the loose connection to the bus.

Thats Jim. got it.