Can we talk about the difference a proper torque wrench makes on main lugs?

I was helping a friend rework a 200 amp panel from the 90s last month, and the old lugs were all over the place on tightness. We put in new ones and I used my click-type torque wrench set to 250 inch-pounds like the spec said. The difference in how the wire sat and the even pressure was night and day compared to just cranking it with a regular driver. It made me realize I'd been guessing for years. Has anyone else switched to actually torquing connections and noticed fewer callbacks for heat issues?

2 comments

2 Comments

noahpark7d ago

But what about vibration loosening them later?

kelly.parker7d ago

Yeah, that "night and day" feeling is real. I started torquing feeder lugs a few years back and my infrared scans got a lot cleaner. It just takes the guesswork out.