stamcon,
I know exactly what you are talking about with the elasticity of fasteners.
On a nut and bolt the best way to determine correct preload is by measuring stretch you will see Drag racers do this on rod bolts.
I should have been more specific in my question.
When I land a conductor on a breaker lets say 200 amp frame size and 4/0 CU the torque spec seems low, it is much less then the torque you would use for a mechanical connection.
And much less torque then it would take to sever or mash the conductors.
I am not saying that I think its wrong, I guess what I want to know is how that torque is determined by the maker
