Wow... what is the trick to getting #12 wire in a box! I am just installing a single 220V outlet in a standard surface box (2-1/2 x 4 x 2-1/8). Can't seem too do it... 2-wires + ground + device. Is there some trick to it? Don't leave as much service loop? I've wired my whole house but can't seem to work with #12 wire in a surface box, Very frustrating. The ground wire in particular seems difficult. Am I supposed to crush the hell out of it? Am worried that the side wires will come loose under the force. The wire (it is accordianed) but it very unforgiven. Any ideas?

Hi everyone. Our house has a 200 amp service located in the attached garage. Before the house was built, a separate garage was built with a 100 amp service (and it's own meter). To not have to pay for 2 hookups and have 2 electric bills each month, I did not have the electric utility restore service to the unattached garage. I figured I would just run power from the 200 amp service to it (which I was told no problem by the utility), and they removed the meter and capped off the lines. To get power out there, I installed a 100 amp breaker in the house service, and ran wires buried in conduit to the main breaker on the 100 amp service. I ran 3 wires, had everything inspected, and all was OK. I'm now told there should have been 4 wires, and not 3. I'm a bit confused here - where would the fourth wire be connected? And does what I did have sound logic? This was done about 7-8 yrs ago. Thanks for any help! Jeff