wires allowed on cir. bkr. terminals [RE-wrenches]

[Richard L Ratico]

Jeff,

It's my understanding that the Square D QO breakers are OK with two wires. Most
other brands I've used are not.

Have you discussed this with your inspector? It seems unlikely he has never seen
these breakers used this way before. In my experience, in VT/NH, it is a very
common application, and one of the advantages to using Square D breakers. Most
electricians in this area are aware of this. It is also common to see other
brands of breakers misused in this way. A generally acceptable alternative is to
splice the two wires to a third wire, in the breaker panel, using a wirenut. The
other end of this third wire, of course, goes to the breaker terminal. It is a
good idea to label the wires to distinquish them.

Of course, an inspector has the authority to call it any way he or she likes.
Most, however, are quite open to diplomatic negotiation on differences of code
interpretation, UL listing, etc.

Hope this helps.

Dick Ratico
Solarwind Electric 


--- You wrote:
>I think this may have been covered before but could not find.
>Inspector dis-allowed two #14 romex cable wires (small exhaust >fan
>circuit & small light circuit in solar room) on same Sq. D. QO 15 >amp
>cir. bkr. terminal in a sub-panel.

>Code Section 110-14(a) "terminals for more than one conductor >shall be
>so identified".

>Sq. D. parts book says the terminal for this circuit breaker is OK >for
>one or two wires up to size #10, and is designed with indention on
>both sides of compression screw to hold one wire on each side.  >What
>gives ?
--- end of quote ---

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