How much is too much?

[DonTx]

How far does the NEC allow the wires to be stripped back from a breaker terminal?

Does anyone have the code?

[swarga]

I have always used the manufactures instructions. On the side of most breakers there is a mark molded into the breaker that shows how much of the wire should be stripped.

2002 NEC

110.12 Mechanical Execution of Work.

Electrical equipment shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner.

2002IRC

E3303.3 Listing and labeling.

Electrical materials, components, devices, fixtures and equipment shall be listed for the application, shall bear the label of an approved agency and shall be installed, and used, or both, in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.

[kurt]

Scott's right. For general info, most of those markings on the breaker are 1/2", or darn close.

[jbpoage]

Manufacturers recommendations always supercede code. All of the breakers from mfgrs I have seen have an insert that tells how to strip the wire, and some have it on the back of the breaker itself.

I just spent the better part of 3 hours looking at splicing in the NEC 2002 code, and don't recall anything about stripping of wire, but I wansn't specifically looking for that.

If you know the breaker type, a visit to your local electical supply house of choice that carries it can be a good source. I've established some good friendships there and they have proven helpful on questions like these.

Jim