Hot take: My journeyman told me to skip the torque wrench on a 200 amp panel job

He said 'just get it tight, you'll feel it' on the main lugs. I did it his way for a whole year until a service call in Boise found a hot connection that melted half the bus bar. The inspector showed me the spec sheet, and we were 15 foot-pounds under. Ever since then, I carry my own torque screwdriver. Anyone else get burned by that 'feel it' advice?

3 comments

3 Comments

wendy20511d ago

Learned my lesson after a service call where a loose neutral on a dryer outlet almost started a fire... my "feel" was about 10 inch-pounds off. Now I just look like a nerd checking specs on my phone before I even pick up a screwdriver.

jessicad9814d ago

Honestly, that "you'll feel it" advice is how most guys learned for decades. Your one bad bus bar doesn't mean the old way is always wrong.

williamt4414d ago

Nah, that's how a lot of guys got hurt too lol. Feeling it fails when things are worn out or you're new.