Did I do okay on these panel hookups?
 

I had to move the 100A subpanel that I had an electrician put in due to some changes in my floorplan. This panel comes from my meter with a disconnect in the meter box. I moved it closer to the meter, so I was able to re-route the existing cable and just cut some off and then re-insert it into the box.

I rubbed the exposed ends with a brillo pad and put anti-oxidant compound on them, then tightened them as tight as I could with a big flathead - but I don't have a torque wrench.

Here's a pic of what I did (for better or worse):

http://www.diychatroom.com/attachmen...1&d=1337753344

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I am also running a sub-panel in the garage off a 50A breaker in this panel. I haven't pulled the wire into the 100A panel yet, but have finished it in the garage sub-panel. I ran 6/3 NM. Here's how I wired that one.

Again, I don't have a torque wrench, I just tightened stuff really tight. The wire here is copper, so no anti-ox or anything, just stripped the wires and tightened the lugs on them:

http://www.diychatroom.com/attachmen...1&d=1337753344
http://www.diychatroom.com/attachmen...1&d=1337753344

The thing I am most worried about is if I tightened the lugs right on these panels. I don't want the connections to have problems or overheat/arc. Do I need to get a torque wrench and make sure they are tightened to the right level? Anything else I did horribly wrong?

They actually look very good. Nice job.

Very nice job. :thumbup:

I don't see any anti oxidant paste on the connections. I see you talk about anti oxidant, but I don't see it on the AL wire connections.

There is no bushing protecting the SER cable in the first pic.

The OP said that he used anti oxidant and SER cable does not require a bushing.

We should be able to see the penetrox/no-ox. There isn't enough of it on the wires.

We are required to bush SER.

Your connections may be too tight which could lead to overheating the same as too loose connections.

Other than that nice job.

Very strange since the bushing does nothing with SER because the outer insulation keeps the conductors from touchting the fitting. And the only thing you need with SER cable is a big clamp.

But I think every area has at least a few silly rules.

I know electricians that for some reason cannot do as good a job as you have done.

Thanks. I put the anti-oxidant compound on and it said on the box to wipe it lightly off after inserting the cable - so there are no globs left on it. Should I have just left any extra on?

I was thinking about a bushing or something might be necessary on the subpanel, but I didn't know about the 100A panel. I guess it doesn't show in the pic but that isn't a conduit connection it's a clamp with the screw clamp on the outside holding the cable right in the middle of the entry. I certainly would have no qualms about putting a bushing on too!

I was a little worried about tightening. I used a fairly large flathead screwdriver. I noticed that the bigger the wire, the tighter the tightening torque requirement listed on the panel. For most of what I did, it said 40 or 50 lb-in of torque. Is it very easy to exceed that with a screwdriver? I have no idea...

Thanks

I would strip the romexs back so there is only an inch or so of insulation in the panel. I also use sticky backs to zip tie yhe conductora along the outside edge

overtightening is possible, what you want to make sure is that you aren't biting too far into the wires with the set screw, if you shear the wires then your in trouble. The trick is to get it as tight as possible without damaging the wire. If your really worried about it( you shouldn't be sounds like your pretty capable) then this may be of use to you
http://www.industrialsupplydenver.com/cditoscmiad4.html