No room for 6 gauge wire on bus bar


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Old 11-19-18, 02:58 PM
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No room for 6 gauge wire on bus bar

What are my options in putting in a 50amp breaker for subpanel when there is no holes large enough on my bus bars to put neutral and ground wires? 6 gauge wire. Also, I'm planning on trying to clean up the mess of wires in my panel. Is the main concern when I do this marking the wires for breaker size? I really can't eyeball a difference in 14 and 12 gauge.
 
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Old 11-19-18, 03:25 PM
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There should be a place where you can install a lug on the neutral bar.
A ground lug can be installed to any point a frame.
 
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Old 11-19-18, 03:31 PM
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Old 11-19-18, 05:05 PM
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Thanks Joed and Ray! I figured there was something just for that problem.
 
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Old 11-19-18, 05:35 PM
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I find it odd that there is not large enough holes for #6. Many ranges require a 50 amp circuit which would also require #6. Sometimes you have to back out the screw almost all the way out to get the wire to fit.
 
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Old 11-19-18, 06:13 PM
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I find it odd that there is not large enough holes for #6.

I agree. In the oldest circuit breaker panels I have even seen the neutral bus had holes large enough for a #6 conductor. The grounding conductor should be a #10 so that shouldn't be an issue.
 
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Old 11-19-18, 06:20 PM
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Tolyn, this is in the main panel which is completely full and the large holes have already been used by wiring for several large appliances. Very few spots available for ground and neutral, maybe two and they are small for 12 or 14 gauge. By the way, if neutral and ground are mixed on the bus bars does that mean a neutral lug can also be attached anywhere on the frame since both bus bars are connected and grounded. Just wondering.
 
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Old 11-19-18, 06:38 PM
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CasualJoe, why is the grounding conductor a #10? I assumed since the 50amp needed #6 that all conductors would be # 6. Two hots, neutral and ground. Am I mistaken in what you meant?
 
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Old 11-20-18, 07:46 AM
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CasualJoe, why is the grounding conductor a #10? I assumed since the 50amp needed #6 that all conductors would be # 6. Two hots, neutral and ground.

Check NEC Table 250.122, all you need is a #10.


this is in the main panel which is completely full and the large holes have already been used by wiring for several large appliances.

With this further information it sounds as if you just need to install a ground bar kit and move grounding conductors from the neutral bus to the new ground bar freeing up spaces on the neutral bus.
 
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Old 11-20-18, 12:18 PM
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Thanks to everyone who helped out here. I got a grounding bar and intend to move some wires. around to accommodate everything. Also bought two lugs that will take #6 just in case.
 
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Old 11-20-18, 05:41 PM
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Neutrals need to be one per hole. Only.grounds allowed on any.add in ground bars.
 
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Old 11-20-18, 08:14 PM
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Thanks! I'll make sure my neutrals stay on bus bars they are on now.
 
 

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