100 amps through a #12 wire

Published 2024-07-16

All Comments (21)
  • @markh.6687
    "Arc Welding at Home" does NOT include your electrical panel!
  • I think it's easy to forget "Temporary" also needs to be safe.
  • Also a fast trip on that main breaker will be alot more than 100 amps...
  • 100 meters of #12 copper wire is about 5 ohms, or 0.05 ohms per meter. As power = I²R, each meter of wire at 100 amps is dissipating P = 100² * 0.05 ohms = 500 watts. I hope you have fire insurance!
  • @DJResR420
    Short circuit current can reach into several kiloamps depending how long and what gauge the feed cable is._
  • @kenchilton
    It looks to me like someone removed the breaker that wire was using. The wire was not touching the bus bar by design, but the door hitting the wire pushed the wire into the bus bar. If it is connected now, it is because it got welded there when it shorted. The bare short to the box is from the wires being trapped between the box and the cover. Many licensed electricians do not take the time to tie wrap or otherwise ensure all the wires stay within the box while the cover is installed. The connectors look like ones that are UL approved and many licensed electricians use them. Wago-like connectors are legal, although I agree with the suspicions regarding their use. I still prefer Buchanan crimps, especially in a panel or other places where things get pushed and pulled while servicing them. Wire nuts are fine for switch, outlet, or light electrical boxes, but if it moves or vibrates, crimps should be (and sometimes are) required. What you ended up with is a combination of problems that produced an emotional response. After about 50 years of working on properties, you take things like this is stride. Sure, the DIYer is prone to get it wrong, but stuff happens even when the professionals do it. My approach is either to just walk away or make it right. A long tirade with cussing is not helping anyone, including yourself.
  • @PS-hv7on
    The world has way too many fuckin' geniuses and not enough ordinary geniuses.
  • More likely the door pinched the conductor to cause the exposure. More like hundreds of amps, if not over 1k to get that device to trip that quickly. More importantly; please watch Mike Holt’s video about these wire connectors. He’s one of the leading authorities in the electrical field (on code making panels and does code content for most of the major trade periodicals).
  • if anything that shows that those connectors are a go lol. idk if they're UL listed but if they are then they are definitely a go
  • At the Atomic Energy Authority ( UK ) at Culham , Oxfordshire .... their lightning test facility uses a whole row of ( freezer sized ) capacitors ! to store megajoules of energy .... these are connected with domestic Copper water pipe ( ! ) ... when a short circuit occurs .... the pipes collapse with the HUGE current ( looks like a copper Cadbury's flake ! ) .. DAVE™🛑
  • @asakayosapro
    I am waaaay more concerned that there are SPLICES inside of a breaker distribution box, and all these hot wires just hanging all Peloosey-goosey in there…. YIKES! I’d repopulate the breakers and get rid of all those splices in a heartbeat, like, no, just no, why?
  • @JoeCdaYT
    Those particular connectors I call quick light fitting connectors. Have your solid wire run into the fixture and push on the light connections. I will use a WAGO before I use them anywhere else. I hate wire nuts to a degree and they are second on my list of wire connections for AC power.
  • @peters8758
    Weinermeter is pegged off the scale on this one! Nobody would do this except landlord, homeowner, or their nephew Clem (apologies to the better Clems out there). Too cheap to call for backup, pick up a DIY book, or check online.
  • @wizard3z868
    Those ideal push ins ive found to be great for multi ground j box points(another youtuber Peterson electric as well as the uk sparks have brought up its a nightmare to seperate twisted grounds/earths for troubleshooting and testing )and ive used them to extend wires in an old outlet box but other than those instances or maybe for light fixtures ya not a big fan of them.
  • Scary, I thought the 60 amp sub panel at my new house run on 10 gauge was bad. I only use wagos in led connections, everything else is twist and cap.