Smaller wire int larger lugs

[Joemctag]

Can I safely terminate 2 gauge Al conductors in lugs apparently made for 4/0 ?
Setting up a used mobile home. Temporary. Not inspected.
Planning on coming off main 200A panel in shop, using a 100A breaker feeding 120’ of 2-2-2-4 MHF underground to 200A panel inside mobile home.
Also, decided not to put a disconnect outside the mobile home. I’d like to, however, post a durable sign stating that the building ( mobile home ) is fed by the shop so many feet southeast. ( Its meter is clearly visible ). What’s the best, most correct way for that to read?

 

[beemerphile]

Most lugs have both a min and max rating. I have some Square D lugs I'm looking at that are rated 1 AWG - 4/0. These would not be appropriate for a 2 AWG wire. Maybe some others are. I don't know how to interpret the "best, most correct" way to do something that wouldn't pass an inspection. Beginning in 2020 NEC 230.85 requires a readily accessible exterior emergency disconnect. Prior to that many local authorities had an exterior disconnect requirement under other life safety guidelines. I think NC is under the 2020 NEC. It would not be too expensive to sink a 6x6 post outside the MH and mount a disconnect there.

 

[mike93lx]

Polaris makes a connector that will go from #6 to 250mcm, so you could use them to just up in wire size.

Or something like this

Commercial Electric 6 AWG to 4/0 AWG Dual Rated Splicer G61104 - The Home Depot

The Aluminum Dual Rated Splicer/Reducer are used for splicing a conductor or reducing a conductor. This splicer/reducer is dual rated for the use with copper and aluminum conductors. This splicer/reducer

www.homedepot.com

 

[Joemctag]

Most lugs have both a min and max rating. I have some Square D lugs I'm looking at that are rated 1 AWG - 4/0. These would not be appropriate for a 2 AWG wire. Maybe some others are. I don't know how to interpret the "best, most correct" way to do something that wouldn't pass an inspection. Beginning in 2020 NEC 230.85 requires a readily accessible exterior emergency disconnect. Prior to that many local authorities had an exterior disconnect requirement under other life safety guidelines. I think NC is under the 2020 NEC. It would not be too expensive to sink a 6x6 post outside the MH and mount a disconnect there.

I was actually all ready to do that and noticed that although my incoming 4-4-4-2 MBF to my 100A breaker in my exterior disconnect cabinet would fit nicely in the breaker’s lugs, my 4/0s coming from the mobile home’s panel were too big for the 100A breaker’s lugs. I wasn’t going to ask if it was ok to just cut off some of the 4/0’s aluminum strands so it would fit.
Someone else just posted that there are splice lugs to do what I want to do. I guess they either bolt inside the cabinet with insulators or you have them loose and wrapped with electrical tape? Will go look at some.

 

[mike93lx]

I was actually all ready to do that and noticed that although my incoming 4-4-4-2 MBF to my 100A breaker in my exterior disconnect cabinet would fit nicely in the breaker’s lugs, my 4/0s coming from the mobile home’s panel were too big for the 100A breaker’s lugs. I wasn’t going to ask if it was ok to just cut off some of the 4/0’s aluminum strands so it would fit.
Someone else just posted that there are splice lugs to do what I want to do. I guess they either bolt inside the cabinet with insulators or you have them loose and wrapped with electrical tape? Will go look at some.

You wrap them. With a lot of tape.

That's one thing that is nice about the Polaris connectors. They are fully insulated so no messing around with tape in a tight box and with thick conductors. Tighten down and you are done

 

[Joemctag]

You wrap them. With a lot of tape.

That's one thing that is nice about the Polaris connectors. They are fully insulated so no messing around with tape in a tight box and with thick conductors. Tighten down and you are done

Thanks! If I can’t get them at Lowes or my electrical supply, I’ll order some online.

 

[beemerphile]

You can also use pin terminals if you have enough space inside the box for wire bending. If not, you might consider replacing the 4/0 to the panel with some of the 2AWG you had left from the underground run.

 

[alfredeneuman]

The pin terminals pictured require a special crimper to install them, only available from the manufacturer of the crimp. The crimper is too expensive for a 1 time installation.
(I think they also come in a set-screw configuration too)

 

[ycgoat]

You can usually replace the lug with a smaller one

 

[Innovate1]

Someone will correct me if I am wrong on this but I think #2 MHF is only good for 90A so you need a smaller breaker or bigger wire.

 

[Joemctag]

Someone will correct me if I am wrong on this but I think #2 MHF is only good for 90A so you need a smaller breaker or bigger wire.

I understand they don’t make 90A breakers.

 

[Norcal]

I understand they don’t make 90A breakers.

90A is a standard size.

 

[Innovate1]

I understand they don’t make 90A breakers.

They do make them. They may be hard to get but that isn't a valid reason to ignore the rules.

 

[Joemctag]

They do make them. They may be hard to get but that isn't a valid reason to ignore the rules.

Just ordered one from Amazon.

 

[ZX3ST]

Someone will correct me if I am wrong on this but I think #2 MHF is only good for 90A so you need a smaller breaker or bigger wire.

You'd be correct if this were a subpanel application in which you must make some different assumptions on load.

As a main feeder, it's fine for 100A.

This is why many people get confused when running #2 MHF to subs, because the supply house assumes you're using as a main feed, and tell you it's good for 100A.

EDIT: Apparently I can't read...... Sorry. 90A rating in this application.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Can I safely terminate 2 gauge Al conductors in lugs apparently made for 4/0 ?
Setting up a used mobile home. Temporary. Not inspected.
Planning on coming off main 200A panel in shop, using a 100A breaker feeding 120’ of 2-2-2-4 MHF underground to 200A panel inside mobile home.
Also, decided not to put a disconnect outside the mobile home. I’d like to, however, post a durable sign stating that the building ( mobile home ) is fed by the shop so many feet southeast. ( Its meter is clearly visible ). What’s the best, most correct way for that to read?

what wire range are the lugs listed for?