Problem with RG6 Component Cables

[Rickster71]

I have to honest and tell you, that looks like a hot mess. Not saying that to hurt your feelings; it's just not safe.

Was your friend a licensed electrician, or just someone that worked for an electrician?
It would've been nice if he'd taken a look at your progress just to check your work. I haven't seen that many code violations at the same time, and all in one panel. Counted at least 10.
There should be a #6 ground wire pulled with those feeders.

I'm afraid to ask if those feeders are on a breaker in the main load center? What size?; are they in conduit?

What does that 2-pole 60-amp breaker feed?
That sub-panel is sized too small for all those breakers; too many piggyback breakers in one panel.

Get a tube of this: http://www.idealindustries.com/products/wire_installation/accessories/noalox.jsp and put it on all the aluminum connections.
(shut off the feed at the main load center first.

Was the feed from the main panel sized for copper or aluminum wire?
When you separate the ground & neutral buses, it looks like a few of the branch circuits are too short to reach to the other bar.
Note: Alabama follows the 2008 NEC at the very least.

 

[Omega Supreme]

I have to honest and tell you, that looks like a hot mess. Not saying that to hurt your feelings; it's just not safe.

Fantastic. No hurt feeling. Just want to get it corrected.
Was your friend a licensed electrician, or just someone that worked for an electrician?

The electrician was a guy that worked with my dad. He no longer works there, so that may be why.

It would've been nice if he'd taken a look at your progress just to check your work. I haven't seen that many code violations at the same time, and all in one panel. Counted at least 10.

There should be a #6 ground wire pulled with those feeders.

I have a #2 that I can pull.

I'm afraid to ask if those feeders are on a breaker in the main load center? What size?; are they in conduit?

The feeder line is +/-45' #2 going to a 100-amp breaker. They are not in conduit.

What does that 2-pole 60-amp breaker feed?

The 60-amp breaker goes to an HVAC unit. It was installed by the HVAC guy. I guess this is sized right. My other HVAC unit in my Main panel goes to a 40a breaker.

That sub-panel is sized too small for all those breakers; too many piggyback breakers in one panel.

Are the # of breakers a problem or the total load? I added extra breakers so that I could isolate to specific areas. For ex. 1 breaker for wall plugs in garaged, 1 for wall plugs in my shop area, 1 for wall plugs for living room, 1 for wall plugs in bath and bedroom, 1 for lights in garage, 1 for lights in shop.......

Get a tube of this: http://www.idealindustries.com/products/wire_installation/accessories/noalox.jsp and put it on all the aluminum connections.
(shut off the feed at the main load center first.

Will do.

Was the feed from the main panel sized for copper or aluminum wire?

Aluminum or Copper. Is 45' #2awg on a 100amp breaker within code?

When you separate the ground & neutral buses, it looks like a few of the branch circuits are too short to reach to the other bar.

Can I just leave the existing bus bars like they are and just add a bus bar at the top of the box for the grounds?

Note: Alabama follows the 2008 NEC at the very least.

Thanks for all your help Rick. I really want to get this resolved.

 

[Rickster71]

Originally Posted by Rickster71

Note: Omega's questions are in Blue
My latest answers are in Bold Black.
(Shut off the feed to the panel when you work in it!)

Was your friend a licensed electrician, or just someone that worked for an electrician?

The electrician was a guy that worked with my dad. He no longer works there, so that may be why.

It would've been nice if he'd taken a look at your progress just to check your work. I haven't seen that many code violations at the same time, and all in one panel. Counted at least 10.

There should be a #6 ground wire pulled with those feeders.

I have a #2 that I can pull.
The problem there is that 2-AWG won't fit in the ground bar. You'll have to buy a single large lug that fits into two screws of the existing ground bar....or buy the proper ground wire.

I'm afraid to ask if those feeders are on a breaker in the main load center? What size?; are they in conduit?
The feeder line is +/-45' #2 going to a 100-amp breaker. They are not in conduit.
Too bad the sub feed wire isn't SE cable; the same type wire as they used in your HVAC feed. It's all in one bundle...the ground, neutral and feeders, with an outer gray insulation. The sub feed needs to be in conduit or the gray SE cable.

What does that 2-pole 60-amp breaker feed?
The 60-amp breaker goes to an HVAC unit. It was installed by the HVAC guy. I guess this is sized right. My other HVAC unit in my Main panel goes to a 40a breaker.

That sub-panel is sized too small for all those breakers; too many piggyback breakers in one panel.
Are the # of breakers a problem or the total load? I added extra breakers so that I could isolate to specific areas. For ex. 1 breaker for wall plugs in garaged, 1 for wall plugs in my shop area, 1 for wall plugs for living room, 1 for wall plugs in bath and bedroom, 1 for lights in garage, 1 for lights in shop.......
Normally the panel would be sized with the number of circuits ahead of time, with several open spaces left over for future extra circuits. Piggyback breakers are used as a last resort when there is little or no space left. It wouldn't pass inspection with all piggybacks.


Get a tube of this: http://www.idealindustries.com/produ...ies/noalox.jsp and put it on all the aluminum connections.
(shut off the feed at the main load center first.
Will do.

Was the feed from the main panel sized for copper or aluminum wire?
Aluminum or Copper. Is 45' #2awg on a 100amp breaker within code?
Just wanted to make sure....that's OK..... except for the 'type' of wire used. (should be in conduit or SE cable.)


When you separate the ground & neutral buses, it looks like a few of the branch circuits are too short to reach to the other bar.
Can I just leave the existing bus bars like they are and just add a bus bar at the top of the box for the grounds?
First, remove the outer cover from the Romex; that should only extend an 1/8" past the connector.(be careful, don't nick the inner wires)
Maybe you can pull a little slack from inside the wall; if not you'll have to extend the few that are too short, with left over Romex.
Cross that bridge after you check for any slack in the wall.

Note: Alabama follows the 2008 NEC at the very least.

Thanks for all your help Rick. I really want to get this resolved.

 

[Omega Supreme]

OK so here is what I need to do:

1. Pull the feeder cable and incase in sleeve or PVC.
2. Add #6 ground from main panel to sub panel.
3. Trim the Romex back to connector.
4. Isolate the Bus bars in the sub panel so that 1 is neu. and 1 is gnd. and connect wires accordingly.
5. Add Noalox to all alum. connections.
6. Replace the piggyback breakers with single pole breakers. (I may have to splice some of the wires. This will not exceed the load limit as I used the piggyback for the purpose of isolation only.)

Question on #6. I noticed my panel says not to exceed 16 circuits. Would it then be ok to use the piggyback breakers (It currently has 9 circuits) or are piggyback breakers just not safe to use?

All of this should be relatively easy minus step #1. This will require cutting thru some sheetrock. If there is one thing I hate, it is finishing sheetrock:-( Oh well. Live and learn I guess. Let me know if this looks correct or if you have any other advice Rick. Thanks again Rick for all your advice I really appreciate it.