Loop or no loop in sub panel?

[jtbinvalrico]

Is there a reason why someone would loop the cables after they enter a subpanel, or why they wouldn't? See the pic for reference:

 

[Norcal]

I do it but the neutral is rather messy, there are those who say it's a bad thing aslo.

 

[Musicinabottle]

Only reason I can think of is so you have room to pull them on or off the connections if you wanted to. that larger wire is fairly hard to work with in confined spaces.

 

[The Cobbler]

the loop is easier than getting the exact lenght of the cable ?

 

[teamextreme]

It provides extra wire in case it's ever needed, ie; connection goes bad on lugs and you need to strip it back for fresh wire, or you need to move panel for some reason (not too likely) and sometimes it makes it easier to connect to lugs depending on location relative to where the wire enters. It's more commonly done on branch circuits than feeders though. I don't see anything wrong with it, but I don't normally do it myself.

 

[ard]

It provides extra wire in case it's ever needed, ie; connection goes bad on lugs and you need to strip it back for fresh wire, or you need to move panel for some reason (not too likely) and sometimes it makes it easier to connect to lugs depending on location relative to where the wire enters. It's more commonly done on branch circuits than feeders though. I don't see anything wrong with it, but I don't normally do it myself.

+1

Hedging against "I need a few more inches" at some point in the future.

After 20 years I came to the realization that (1) it was unlikely, (2) someone else's problem, or (3) I can deal with it then.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

Did the loops....This stuff is tough to bend.

 

[lakeroadster]

Loop = good.

At our last home the 200 amp main breaker had a stripped out lug.

That loop saved our a$$ when it came to replacing the breaker. If the wire had been run straight into the breaker with no slack the repair would have been much more extensive.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Is there a reason why someone would loop the cables after they enter a subpanel, or why they wouldn't? See the pic for reference:

The whole thing looks sloppy to me.

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

Looks good and less stress on the fasteners. Bigger conductors are easier to mold with long bends or loops rather than trying to make them kick an inch or two over then strip then shove under retainer.

 

[Bert_]

I don't do a full on loop, but I do usually put a little curve in the wire before the lug. Mainly makes it easier to connect larger wires but I have had situations where I wish the guy before me had left a couple extra inches.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

Hopefully my AHJ will like loops On now to learning how to bend conduit.

 

[Dadillac]

The sub panel in my garage was in shamble when we bought the house. Every single knock out was missing. The cover plate wasn't screwed down. The cover plate had no door. So replacing the sub panel was high on my to do list. After determining that there was barely enough feed wire I basically was forced to source an identical box. That proved difficult as the box is obsolete. Took over a year but I actually found new old stock of the box and the cover plate. Moral of the story is that had there been looped feeder I could have purchased almost any box to do the job.

Don

 

[Warrenator]

I also do loops in Romex at certain spots so in the future I could add an outlet or whatever onto the line without running out of wire. Easy to do, and future you will appreciate the forethought.

 

[sberry]

I do some with cable too but in a panel do a partial loop or a bend so there is some slack of in case it gets pulled and enough to get an inch in case of needing a new termination. I am ok neat in a panel but not super fussy, the electric really doesn't know much difference.

 

[Toolfool]

My electrician does those loops. He also leaves a loop at every outlet/switch box where the romex gets stapled. A good tug produces extra wire if needed in the future.

 

[rburke65]

If you think the loops are hard to bend, wait until you try to get the straight piece of cable into that lug without any play in the cable. You'll soon why the loop is there.