Make sure to tighten your connections properly!

[reader2580]

My brother and my father wired his house when it was built in 2019. Fully permitted and inspected.

Anyhow, they used a fused A/C disconnect inside the house for a small pool. Breaker tripped recently, and my brother thought the pump failed. He opened up the disconnect which was melted inside. One wire was charred, and at least one fuse was welded in place. It appears the terminal holding the wire was not tightened properly.

Amperage requirements were double checked. Wire size and breaker/fuse sizes are correct. Pump is fine after new disconnect installed.

 

[Norcal]

The NEC requires terminations be torqued to manufacturers specs.

 

[driftpin]

The NEC requires terminations be torqued to manufacturers specs.

One of the reasons several years ago, I acted upon a GJ Hot Deal posted. I bought a low-range torque wrench from a Louisiana NAPA store, along with some flare-nut wrenches, and a 3/8" flex-head medium length ratchet. I believe all were at big-discount close-out pricing. I got everything I ordered. SOme other GJ members didn't. I'm thankful for the Hot Deal post.

Now I can torque my breakers correctly and hard-wire connections too. Being a retired fire-rescue f.f./paramedic and fire inspector, I got to see what can result from improperly-torqued connections.

 

[reader2580]

The NEC requires terminations be torqued to manufacturers specs.

I have all of the proper torque tools for myself now. When I asked about torque tools a while back here a number of electricians said they never use torque tools. I will see if my brother wants to borrow the appropriate torque tool.

Inspectors don't seem to care about use of torque tools.

 

[reader2580]

I was incorrect about a new disconnect being installed already. My brother temporarily bypassed the disconnect and the pump worked. He is not going to operate it again until my father is over to help with disconnect replacement.

 

[cannuck]

At least OP's loose connection didn't knock down a bridge and kill the workers on the deck. I was the mechanical guy/fastener Nazi around a bunch of HV utility and industrial jobs for many years. You would be surprised and shocked (sorry, electrical pun) at just how many equipment outages happen because of loose/improperly tightened/improperly terminated wiring.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The NEC requires terminations be torqued to manufacturers specs.

this

 

[logical]

The NEC requires terminations be torqued to manufacturers specs.

And the 99% who don't use a calibrated tool are 100% sure the are in spec.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

You would be amazed about how many electrical contractors don’t torque their connections let alone MOST don’t even own a torque wrench.
Once I started to talk "freely" to contractors on their jobs (without judgement) I would ask them about torquing connections and most of them said they did them "hand tight" and could not find what the torque requirements are on the connections. The ones that knew about torquing requirements always had a clean "well organized" work truck along with personal arc fault protection stored so it would not get damaged or dirty………. Once I started talking (educating) to these "hand tight/good enough" guys most of them went out and purchased a torque wrench and used it PLUS some wrote the torque values inside the enclosure with a sharpie so when I opened the door I saw the numbers.

 

[madison069]

So what torque tools are you all using for electrical outlets and how do you get it calibrated?

 

[mm08822]

Not all wiring devices have a torque spec stated in the installation instructions.

 

[reader2580]

So what torque tools are you all using for electrical outlets and how do you get it calibrated?

Wera torque screwdriver with calibration certificate that is less than one year old so still valid.

 

[75gmck25]

Let me make one simple suggestion, even if you don't actually measure the torque. Make sure you use a square bit screwdriver or other tool that is designed for electrical screws. Do not try to use a Phillips or flat-tip screwdriver to get the wire connections tight, even for the wires on a receptacle.

Standard screwdrivers depend on hand pressure into the screw (Phillips) or maintaining the right angle on the tip (flat tip), and in many electrical applications it's hard to get it aligned properly. A square bit makes a firm connection to the screw head, and can be used with a ratchet, torque wrench or a square bit screwdriver. Its much easier to get a good bite and tighten the screw properly.

 

[Higgins]

Not all wiring devices have a torque spec stated in the installation instructions.

Anything that is mounted within a main panel, or sub panel had the TS stamped on the side of the device, main panel have the TS listed on the large label on the front.

As for electrical sockets i believe the TS are torqued to around 10 - 14 inch pounds. anything within that range should be OK.

AL

 

[reader2580]

Let me make one simple suggestion, even if you don't actually measure the torque. Make sure you use a square bit screwdriver or other tool that is designed for electrical screws. Do not try to use a Phillips or flat-tip screwdriver to get the wire connections tight, even for the wires on a receptacle.

You can still buy breakers that have only slotted screws. I bought four Siemens 125 amp breakers last year that have slotted screws. I found a slotted bit for my inch pound torque wrench that fits the slot perfectly. I have to use a bunch of downward pressure to torque the screws without stripping them.