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#6 stranded conductor doesn't fit into the hole in the neutral bar?

#6 stranded conductor doesn't fit into the hole in the neutral bar?


  #1  
Old 11-22-14, 07:57 AM
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#6 stranded conductor doesn't fit into the hole in the neutral bar?

While trying to add a new circuit I noticed the white neutral conductor which is a #6 stranded was not fully inserted into the hole in the neutral bar. About half was in the hole and the other half "pulled back".

Is this typical? I released the screw and pulled it out, cut it shorter a bit stripped the insulation, and I had a hard time pushing it into the hole as well. Is it supposed to fit? Are standard neutral bar holes big enough for the bigger conductors?
 
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Old 11-22-14, 08:11 AM
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Best way is to add a neutral bar adapter for your larger wire. GE PowerMark Gold Neutral/Ground Kit-TLK20CP at The Home Depot
 
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Old 11-22-14, 12:24 PM
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Some bars have different size holes. The label should tell. Many bars accept a #4 or smaller without an adapter.
 
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Old 11-22-14, 12:38 PM
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If you have a branch circuit ground wire in one of the large neutral bar holes you might want to move it if it will fit a smaller hole or add a ground bar. However Larry's suggestion may be easiest.
 
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Old 11-22-14, 07:01 PM
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There is more than one style depending on the manufacturer. Here is the type adapter I like.

Square D QO 70 Amp Auxiliary Neutral Lug Kit-QO70ANCP at The Home Depot

But......a #6 should fit any neutral bus without using an adapter.
 
  #6  
Old 11-25-14, 07:23 PM
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If you look closely, the neutral bar should have the gauge ranges stamped on side...6-14 is typical for branch neutral bar. A lug kit for neutral bar will work as suggested by others...
 
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Old 11-25-14, 11:04 PM
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If I am not mistaken, the older (early-mid 1990s and before) GE panels had neutral bars that only took up to a #8 or #10 except for a few holes.
 
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Old 11-26-14, 03:56 AM
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I can tell you a Red Neck way to do this , but I would get yelled at . :-(

What does the # 6 neutral go to ?

God bless
Wyr
 
 

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