Results 1 to 12 of 12
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Twin Cities, Minnesota
    Posts
    150

    Default "trimmed" Entrance Cable

    This main entrance cable at the service equipment has been trimmed a little to fit. It's a #2 conductor, attached to a 100Amp main switch in a panel rated for 125Amps. Seems like they should have just put in a 125Amp main switch, but trimmed the cable and put it in a 100Amp instead. Is there a code reference for this being wrong?

    Similar Threads:
    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
    Member Benefits1
    -Jon
    Errickson Home Inspections, LLC
    http://www.erricksonhomeinspections.com

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
    Posts
    3,509

    Default Re: "trimmed" Entrance Cable

    I don't think you need a code reference or will even find one for something like this. Wrong is wrong.


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Columbus GA
    Posts
    3,747

    Default Re: "trimmed" Entrance Cable

    From the 2006 IRC
    "
    E3306.9 Terminals.
    Connection of conductors to terminal

    parts shall be made without damaging the conductors..."



    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  4. #4
    A.D. Miller's Avatar
    A.D. Miller Guest

    Default Re: "trimmed" Entrance Cable

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell View Post
    From the 2006 IRC
    "

    E3306.9 Terminals.
    Connection of conductors to terminal
    parts shall be made without damaging the conductors..."



    RC: In the land of NEC that's 110.14(A):

    (A) Terminals. Connection of conductors to terminal parts shall ensure a thoroughly good connection without damaging the conductors and shall be made by means of pressure connectors (including set-screw type), solder lugs, or splices to flexible leads. Connection by means of wire-binding screws or studs and nuts that have upturned lugs or the equivalent shall be permitted for 10 AWG or smaller conductors.
    Terminals for more than one conductor and terminals used to connect aluminum shall be so identified.




  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: "trimmed" Entrance Cable

    Quote Originally Posted by Jon Errickson View Post
    It's a #2 conductor, attached to a 100Amp main switch in a panel rated for 125Amps.

    I would not word it that way as it *is not* a #2 conductor ... *it was* ... but *it is not now* ...

    Now it is an "unknown" conductor which has no ampacity rating and needs to be replaced (or if there is enough the end could be cut off and done properly or if too short then properly extended by properly splicing on another piece of conductor).

    Simply put ... "They ain't allowed to do that." and they should have known it ... whoever "they" were at the time.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  6. #6
    Roger Frazee's Avatar
    Roger Frazee Guest

    Default Re: "trimmed" Entrance Cable

    Quote Originally Posted by Jon Errickson View Post
    This main entrance cable at the service equipment has been trimmed a little to fit. It's a #2 conductor, attached to a 100Amp main switch in a panel rated for 125Amps. Seems like they should have just put in a 125Amp main switch, but trimmed the cable and put it in a 100Amp instead. Is there a code reference for this being wrong?
    That looks like a QOM1 100 amp Square D main breaker. If it is it should take up to a 2/0 awg as a maximum wire size for the lugs. Not sure about the square d as the neutral bar configuration doesn't look correct.

    Product Detail - Schneider Electric United States


    The NEC code reference for the violation shown is 110.14 (A) there are a few others but you only need one....

    Last edited by Roger Frazee; 01-19-2010 at 04:27 PM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Twin Cities, Minnesota
    Posts
    150

    Default Re: "trimmed" Entrance Cable

    Thanks everyone for the replies.

    -Jon
    Errickson Home Inspections, LLC
    http://www.erricksonhomeinspections.com

  8. #8
    Robert L. Ayers's Avatar
    Robert L. Ayers Guest

    Default Re: "trimmed" Entrance Cable

    I'm not a home inspector, but I am an engineer. What has been done to this cable is quite alarming. The safe current carrying capacity of a wire is a function of its resistance, and the resistance of a material is proportional to its cross sectional area in the direction of the current flow. (In the case of braided wire, take the sum of the individual cross sectional areas for each wire.)

    In other words, all things being equal, if wire A is twice the diameter of wire B, then wire A will have 4 times the current carrying capacity of wire B. This is because the cross sectional area increases as the square of the diameter. Likewise, a wire that is three times the diameter would have 9 times the current carrying capacity.

    It is difficult to tell exactly, but I would estimate that the diameter of the wire in this picture has been reduced by about half along a short stretch. If this wire was rated at 100 amps for its intended voltage, then along the trimmed stretch, its safe current carrying capacity would only be a quarter, or 25 amps.


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    NY State
    Posts
    443

    Default Re: "trimmed" Entrance Cable

    I agree with Roger. That conductor should have easily fit in there. Why some guys do this is beyond me.


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    On The Mason-Dixon Line
    Posts
    577

    Default Re: "trimmed" Entrance Cable

    Quote Originally Posted by Speedy Petey View Post
    I agree with Roger. That conductor should have easily fit in there. Why some guys do this is beyond me.
    Yeah everyone knows you should never trim off the outside strands!
    Always trim off the inside strands so the outside strands cover it up


  11. #11
    Fred Warner's Avatar
    Fred Warner Guest

    Default Re: "trimmed" Entrance Cable

    Quote Originally Posted by Robert L. Ayers View Post
    I'm not a home inspector, but I am an engineer. What has been done to this cable is quite alarming. The safe current carrying capacity of a wire is a function of its resistance, and the resistance of a material is proportional to its cross sectional area in the direction of the current flow. (In the case of braided wire, take the sum of the individual cross sectional areas for each wire.)

    In other words, all things being equal, if wire A is twice the diameter of wire B, then wire A will have 4 times the current carrying capacity of wire B. This is because the cross sectional area increases as the square of the diameter. Likewise, a wire that is three times the diameter would have 9 times the current carrying capacity.

    It is difficult to tell exactly, but I would estimate that the diameter of the wire in this picture has been reduced by about half along a short stretch. If this wire was rated at 100 amps for its intended voltage, then along the trimmed stretch, its safe current carrying capacity would only be a quarter, or 25 amps.
    Very informational. Thanks for your post.


  12. #12
    Rob Key's Avatar
    Rob Key Guest

    Unhappy Re: "trimmed" Entrance Cable

    If this is a dwelling service (3 wire, single phase) then the original maximum rating of the wire would be 125 A per table 310.15(B)(6). Otherwise it is 115, (assuming USE conductor) before adjusting for ambient temperature or other factors, per table 310.16. (Jerry did I do it right?) Cutting the wire is only allowed if you cover it with duct tape, unless nobody sees it in which case it is OK until the fire starts.


Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •