Insulation Stripped back too far....need narrative.

[George E. Russell]

Looking for a narrative explaining why the insulation on the main service conductors shouldn't be stripped back too far.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by grussell

Looking for a narrative explaining why the insulation on the main service conductors shouldn't be stripped back too far.

Please explain the hazard you see.

[Robert Meier]

Although it may be sloppy IMO there really is no hazard or violation worth mentioning.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

I agree - no big deal here. The only real issue you have is with the grounding conductors that are attached to the neutral terminal on a remote (sub) panel.

[Robert Meier]

Are you sure it's a sub panel? Since it's on the outside of the building I would guess that the conduit on the right side comes from the meter enclosure.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

No, not completely sure. I can see the bonding strap now that you've enlarged the picture, so it's possible this is service equipment. Although I wouldn't expect to see both a neutral and EGC coming from the meter enclosure.

[Michael R. Boyett]

George, first off let me say that I do not think the wires in your photo are excessively stripped. If I did, I might use something like:

The importance of removing the correct length of insulation. Most electrical devices including switches and receptacle outlets show on the molding a strip gauge. This is the length of insulation that should be removed to make the best connection possible with the device. Stripping the wire insulation too short can produce an insecure connection and could produce an overheated area which could in time end up arcing and burning away from the connection which would produce a loss of continuity in the circuit, or a loss of power from that point on in the circuit. A wire that is stripped too long can become a hazard because it will allow the extra bare area of the conductor to be vulnerable for coming into contact with other wires such as the ground, or could become a danger to anyone who may come in contact with the wired device.

Other than NEC 110.3(b) Mfg Rqmts I'm not aware of another citation that is applicable. Common sense does come into play though.

[George E. Russell]

It's the main. The sub is in the garage. Thanks All!!

[David A. Andersen]

What are the other breakers for?
I see a couple of grounded conductors and all are 240 circuits.
Dryer and kitchen stove?

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by jpope

No, not completely sure. I can see the bonding strap now that you've enlarged the picture, so it's possible this is service equipment. Although I wouldn't expect to see both a neutral and EGC coming from the meter enclosure.

Yes, unless that is a GEC run in the service raceway then it should not be there. There should be no EGC's on the line side of the service disconnects. For what it's worth I can only see 3 conductors.

[George P. Wells, CMI]

It could use one of these

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

Yes, unless that is a GEC run in the service raceway then it should not be there. There should be no EGC's on the line side of the service disconnects. For what it's worth I can only see 3 conductors.

I guess you're right. The stranded AL comes from the other side...

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by gwells

It could use one of these

Why would it need a hub?

[David Hays]

These wires are stripped too far:



My comment on the report:
"It appears that the insulation has been stripped excessively on the right side of the panel at the breakers. Recommend having a licensed electrician repair as needed."

[Robert J. OConnor]

Most breakers have wire strip lengths/gauges marked on them. I would expect that main panel lugs would have something similar in the instructions or listing. And the reasons for that would be similar.

That does appear to be more wire stripped off the feeders than I would expect to see. Might be a concern related to incidential contact with a bare feeder wire for someone working inside that panel. It's also possible that an appropriate amount of the insulation was stripped off, but the wire was not fully inserted into the lug.

I would have made a note of it, but not as a significant issue if there appeared to be a solid connection. Maybe something along the lines of ...

There appears to be more than the usual amount of bare wire exposed at the connection for the large feeder wires inside the panel. This should be checked by a licensed electrician next time any work is performed inside the panel, and corrected as needed.

And for what it's worth it does look like all 6 ground wires are run with the 4 circuits to the inside of the house. Jeff ... you might have seen a stripe on one of the 3 feeder wires that looked like a ground.

JMO & 2-Nickels ...