Thomas D. Horne, FF EMT wrote:
Pete C. wrote:
"Tom Horne, Electrician" wrote:
Pete C. wrote:
Ed wrote:
I have a siemens panel, and I got some #4 stranded copper wire to
connect to the ground rods, and water pipes. But when I go to connect
it to the ground/neutral bar, it is too big(just a little too big) to
fit in the slots. Is there another peice that is supposed to be for
this, or do I need to go back and get solid #4 for the ground wire
(and
will solid #4 fit).

Thanks!
You can divide the strands into two bundles (like a Y) and connect in
two adjacent slots if you need to.

Pete C.
No competent electrical inspector will ever except that. Buy the
correct lug and install it.
--
Tom Horne

"This alternating current stuff is just a fad. It is much too dangerous
for general use." Thomas Alva Edison

Bull****!

There is no reduction in current capacity and there is no safety issue.
There certainly would be an issue if you trimmed of a few strands to fit
an undersized hole, but in this case you are maintaining the full
capacity of the wire.

Pete C.

Your opinion that it is BS does not change the fact that no competent
electrical inspector will sign off on such an installation. The US NEC
requires that equipment be installed and used in accordance with any
instructions included in the listing or labeling. The UL white book
contains the listings and the sizes of wire that each listed terminal
are tested to terminate. You're wilderness engineering solution will
not pass inspection.


Why not just /ask/ the local code inspector if it would be OK to
separate the strands and use 2 adjacent terminals, or if you need to buy
an add-on lug? They both seem perfectly reasonable solutions to me if
done neatly. Separating the strands has the advantage of one less
connection. The add-on lug would probably look a little better.

Or are you two just having fun ****ing on each other? ;-)

Bob