Just realized most people are guessing the torque on aluminum lugs

I've been checking old service panels in older homes for the past month, and I keep finding aluminum main lugs that are either way too tight or way too loose. The spec sheet for the panel I was working on yesterday said 50 inch-pounds, but the guy before me had clearly just cranked it down with a regular driver. That extra heat over time is no joke. I've started carrying a small torque screwdriver in my kit, and it's made a real difference in my peace of mind. How many of you actually check the spec and use a torque tool on service connections?

2 comments

2 Comments

valallen3d ago

My old foreman told me about a house fire they traced back to an overheated aluminum bus bar. The report said the lugs were torqued to over 200 inch pounds. That story alone made me buy a torque wrench. I keep it in the van now.

eva8612d ago

My torque wrench saved a panel from the same fate last month.