Are the lugs and power distribution connector (PDC) on PowerPacT circuit breaker lugs approved for use with fine stranded wire?

Product Line:
PowerPacT H, J, L M, P, R Circuit Breakers

Resolution:

Neither mechanical nor compression lugs, including power distribution connectors (PDC), for PowerpacT B, H, J, L, M, P and R frame circuit breakers have undergone the certification testing required by UL 486 for approval for use with Class D wire, also known as fine-stranded wire, welder's cable, or DLO diesel locomotive cable.   UL testing verifies connection resistance and connection security under heat cycling mechanical pull-out conditions.

• The risk of the fine strands of Class D cable getting caught up in the wire binding screw of mechanical lugs, causing a false torque reading resulting in a loose connection, could potentially be lessened through the use of a sleeve / ferrule / thin copper shim, but the specifications of such a sleeve or ferrule have not been defined nor has the required testing been done.
• With compression lugs there is no issue with threads, but consistent proper compression of the fine strands for low resistance has not been verified by controlled testing.
• Mechanical pull-out testing has not been done for either compression lugs or mechanical lugs with ferrules or sleeves.

Only class B and C cable has been certified for use in PowerpacT B, H, J, L, M, P and R frame circuit breaker lugs per UL 486, which includes heat cycling and mechanical pull-out testing.

Released for: Schneider Electric Canada