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Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Question:
Re: CQD answer published Thursday, March 30, 2017 - Equipotential Bonding 2
Comment on: CQD answer published Wednesday, March 22, 2017 - Equipotential Bonding
Loss of the neutral can be very troubling indeed. You're right in that symptoms will manifest themselves in various unexpected ways.
The NEC is not perfect and not a preferred design manual nor for maintainability, but a minimum safety/performance code. If concern for loss of neutral connection is high, there are means to add detection equipment which exceed the NEC's minimum requirement.
Most losses of connection (loss of neutral connection) are due to faulty terminations. The cause of most failures is failure to comply with 110.3(b) torque specifications. The issue it excessive torque, with lesser insufficient torque. A calibrated torque wrench needs to be used to comply. How many electricians have, much less, use them? When we find ourselves at the bottom of deep hole, the first thing is to stop digging it deeper.
Best Regards, Nick Abbatiello
A
Answer:
Hey Nick thanks for your comments, it's good to hear from you. There is a new rule 110.14(D) in the 2017 NEC that requires a calibrated torque tool to be used if the equipment manufacturer provides torque values. This now applies whether or not the equipment is listed or labeled. Informative Annex I can also provide guidance in the absence of torque markings.
Maybe if you dig a little to the side that fill can be used to stand on and get out of the hole.