National Electrical Installation Standards

Standards as High as Your Own

 
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Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Question:

Re: CQD answer published Monday, July 3, 2017 -Torqueing Terminations

As a follow up to the torque question from last Friday.   Please remind your readers for any listed termination that does not have a torque value marked on the item or package, it will require the torque values included in the Informative Annex I of the Code. 

I have been conducting an informal and non-scientific survey during my travels and have spoken with over 100 different utility installers across the US. It would be good to point out that the use of the nice new battery powered impact wrenches on the market do not meet the requirements of “a calibrated torque tool”.   “If it will fit, I use it” is the most common answer.  I can confirm Eric’s concerns of the service side installation practices of the meter terminations and I hope the practice ends and does not spread. 

Sincerely, Lee Herron, Director Specification Engineering, BURNDY

A

Answer:

Hey Lee thanks for your comment with the additional information, torqueing terminations is very important.  Annex I provides values that can be used but Annexes are informative not mandatory. It might be good to use those values in the absence of specific manufacturer's instructions but it is specifically required.

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