[Wood man]

Problem with wires burning up in peckerhead. Nothing is tripping out. When I fix the connections it goes back to running fine for a while. Wire size and over current protection is correct and all joints are good and secure. What would cause this, the motor?

 

[McClary’s Electrical]

You're doing something wrong.

 

[Wirenuting]

Improper installation.

 

[BBQ]

What voltage?

What size conductors?

Have you taken a current reading?

What is the ambient temp?

 

[Wirenuting]

What voltage? What size conductors? Have you taken a current reading? What is the ambient temp?

What frame, what type, were is it located, is it old or new, what work does it preform & are you an electrician or a carpenter?

 

[Big John]

Failing connections is a termination problem. How were they terminated originally? How are you fixing the terminations? Here's an FYI on what we do to prevent repeated burned up connections.

 

[Wood man]

480v, 37A, #8 wire, have not taken amp readings yet, doing that at lunch today.

 

[BBQ]

480v, 37A, #8 wire, have not taken amp readings yet, doing that at lunch today.

8 AWG is right at the minimum the code requires without any consideration of temperature.

 

[Wood man]

Motor is outside and it's 32F

 

[Wood man]

Did amp readings and all phases are at 39

 

[Wood man]

Going to check all connections at lunch and see if all 3 phases are getting hot

 

[BBQ]

Motor is outside and it's 32F

Thanks.

Outside?

Any chance water is getting in the peckerhead from condensation?


Other than that I have to go with Johns suggestion that you are not terminating it right.

 

[Wood man]

I will give it a good look at lunch. Thanks for the help. I will let you know what I find.

 

[kyler_dorsey]

Go with #6. #8 is barely enough and I'm sure the amperage peaks upon start up.

 

[BBQ]

Go with #6. #8 is barely enough and I'm sure the amperage peaks upon start up.

Yes it would 'peak' at start up but that will not overheat the conductor due to the very short duration.

 

[kyler_dorsey]

Yes it would 'peak' at start up but that will not overheat the conductor due to the very short duration.

Gotcha. I was always told to be careful with that. Size a fuse too small without accounting for the motor start up amperage then it will burn up the fuse rather quickly.

 

[glen1971]

8 AWG is right at the minimum the code requires without any consideration of temperature.

Or voltage drop, unless the motor is right next to the starter..

 

[SteveBayshore]

If the FLA is 37, why are you running at 39? This would not cause the connection failure, but is there a mechanical load problem? What are your splices made with? We never make wire nut connections on any conductors over #10s.

 

[Cow]

I agree with Steve. I hope you're not using big blues, we'd be using insulated taps.