Okay, so the ground bar in the panel I am installing in my detached garage says it will accept up to #4 wire, but there is just no way my stranded #4 MHF ground is actually going to fit. At least, I don't see how. I tried to test fit a piece, and it just looks too big. Does anyone have any suggestions besides getting a lug kit?
4 Gauge wire into ground bar
- Thread starter Skooterj
- Start date
captaindiode
Well-known member
Got a picture of the ground bar or brand and model of the panel?
dave*99
Well-known member
Why would that matter in fitting them into a lug? They have different ampacity, but the same diameter.
yatg
Well-known member
Had that problem before too. It has to be perfectly round and the strands need to be tight. Try removing the screw. Try stripping it back farther and filing the end so it'll get started and push it in. Obviously don't file it down where it would be contacting the lug. Then give up and get an accessory lug for your panel/bar.
This is pretty much where I am at. I thought maybe I could pigtail a #6 CU on the end, but the splice is more than a lug kit. Then I thought I'd get an end pin. Again, more expensive than the lug kit. Figured heating it up would make it more malleable, but also larger. Guess I could try freezing it in dry ice, but that's probably more expensive than the lug kit too. So lug kit it is...Had that problem before too. It has to be perfectly round and the strands need to be tight. Try removing the screw. Try stripping it back farther and filing the end so it'll get started and push it in. Obviously don't file it down where it would be contacting the lug. Then give up and get an accessory lug for your panel/bar.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
It'll fit. I'd considering stripping it long and cutting a few strands partway out to make a taper, like the suggestion of filing. Then use a flush cutter to trim the excess once it is in
rlitman
Well-known member
Because #4 AWG refers to the cross sectional area and not the diameter. The diameter would be the same for solid wire, but stranded wire has a larger diameter that depends on the packing density of the strands, and that may be different when aluminum sometimes features non-round strands that pack more tightly.
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Because I was tired and hadn't had coffee yet.
I had a similar issue and just bought the lug kit like why atg posted. I think it was $8 saved a ton of hassle
dave*99
Well-known member
I agree there are differences from solid to stranded, but the OP has Aluminum MHF and it's usually packed pretty tight. Maybe his uses round strands. The ground bar is rated for #4 and while I can't say if they meant stranded or solid, I expect many users are using stranded wire.
Either way, the accessory lug others mentioned will work.
