Main breaker dilemma

[83rdracer]

New guy here and hope someone can help. I have a newly built detached garage 24x32 with a 100 amp sub panel. Because the electrical run from the house is over 120ft I ran 1-1-1-2 cable to the sub panel. Now I have run into a problem where the 100 amp breakers will only accept 2wga wire or smaller. Any ideas???

 

[lonestardiver]

I have seen it where the ends are shaved or trimmed down enough to fit into the breakers...

 

[jeepxj]

I have seen it where the ends are shaved or trimmed down enough to fit into the breakers...

god no. do not do that.


you can either do a whip of copper and joint them together in an approved AL to Copper connection method. https://www.platt.com/CutSheets/NSI Polaris/NSI-PolarisConnectors-CatalogSection.pdf

OR you can get pins. I suggest offset pins.
https://www.acdcusa.com/pin-terminals/

 

[Bert_]

What kind of 100 amp breaker only accepts #2?

Pretty much every one I've seen will take 2/0.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Is this a panel with a factory main breaker installed OR did you grab a 100 amp breaker and "back feed" it after you stabbed it in?

BTW! I’d have never had a problem with a 100 amp main accepting a #1 AWG wire.

 

[BD1]

Buy a 100 Amp disconnect switch. Tie in service to switch then run wire to panel


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sberry]

I agree with Bert. You need to look closer.

 

[alfredeneuman]

pretty much every one i've seen will take 2/0.

^^^this^^^

 

[u2slow]

Pretty much every one I've seen will take 2/0.

Same.

Usually one size larger fits anyway, due to the extra compact stranding on most aluminum conductors.

 

[manwithtools]

I have seen it where the ends are shaved or trimmed down enough to fit into the breakers...

No, No and No. Get the appropriate Pin reducer if you need it. But I agree with others, a 100 amp breaker should accept that conductor.

 

[Norcal]

I have seen it where the ends are shaved or trimmed down enough to fit into the breakers...

This is a bad idea.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

New guy here and hope someone can help. I have a newly built detached garage 24x32 with a 100 amp sub panel. Because the electrical run from the house is over 120ft I ran 1-1-1-2 cable to the sub panel. Now I have run into a problem where the 100 amp breakers will only accept 2wga wire or smaller. Any ideas???

What is the Brand and model of the breaker?

I have seen it where the ends are shaved or trimmed down enough to fit into the breakers...

wrong wrong TOTALLY WRONG!

NEVER do that... unless you want a fire...