DEFECT: Over-sized Wire to Circuit Breaker
An over-sized wire to a circuit breaker is only a defect if the circuit breaker is not rated to accept the wire gauge. For an example I am going to use the 15 AMP General Electric circuit breaker in the photograph below. In this photo, this 15 AMP breaker is connected to 2 gauge copper wire which is drastically over-sized for this breaker.
Over-sized Wire to Breaker
This particular breaker is rated to accept a 14 to 8 gauge copper wire per the manufacturers specifications, any wire over 8 gauge would be a defect. The reason this is a problem is the connection to the circuit breaker. The lug on this circuit breaker is sized to accept wire between 14 to 8 gauge. Wire between these sizes will fit and torque properly. If a wire larger than 8 gauge is used it will not fit properly in the lug or torque to the required specification.
Many times the person installing this wire will remove some strands of the wire to get it to fit in the breaker lug. This effectively reduces the gauge and capacity of the wire and can lead to overheating at this area.
A wire that is not properly connected to the breaker or torqued correctly can lead to hot spots, arcing or other electrical issues. If you have this condition in your home, you should contact a licensed electrician to remedy the problem. You cannot just move up to a larger breaker that would accommodate the wire size!
This information was provided courtesy of Southwest Premier Home Inspection, LLC. Reproduction in any form is not permitted without consent. Copyright 2008-2010 Southwest Premier Home Inspection, LLC.
Southwest Premier Home Inspection is the Phoenix Arizona Home Inspection leader. To find out more visit our Phoenix Home Inspection website www.swpHomeInspect.com
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