Well, I did a little research on these crimps, and they are definitely not listed for use with anything other than class B or C stranding.
So although that may be the way someone has done it all the time, that is not a defensible argument when it comes to a code violation. Buchanan-Ideal Splice Cap UL listing E5238 UL 486C UL certificate ZMVV.E5238 This standard clearly defines Class C or B stranding as acceptable The UL 486C standard also describes their use only for Class B or C stranded conductors NEC 2014 Article 110.14 Electrical Connections ‘Connectors and terminals for conductors more finely stranded than Class B and Class C stranding as shown in Chapter 9, Table 10, shall be identified for the specific conductor class or classes.’ So if you are using the older style Engage cables (TC-ER 12 AWG fine stranded cables), you must source appropriate (read listed for this use) connectors. Researching appropriate methods and techniques as well as continual education makes us all better installers. Codes and materials are dynamic in nature and it is up to us to constantly be on guard for changes that affect the safety and reliability of the systems we install. Manufacturers are not always correct! Simply because a manufacturer say to ‘do it this way’ does not mean we should ignore the NEC. I identified the same issue with a dual axis tracking manufacturer recently that supplied SO cord for flexibility and standard Square D circuit breakers/panelboards as connection points. These also were connected together in violation of the breaker/panel listing and they told me they are making a change to supply appropriate ferrules to be used. From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Mike Nelson Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2016 7:07 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Pass through/transition box for Enphase I don't know what they're listed for but I know that they are very effective. Michael D Nelson MD Electric & Solar, Inc. 707-684-0064 mobile 707-884-1862 office www.mdelectricsolar.com Sent from my iPhone On Aug 10, 2016, at 2:51 PM, Glenn Burt <glenn.b...@glbcc.com> wrote: But are they listed to be used with greater stranded conductors than class B or C (7 or19)? _____ From: Carl Adams <mailto:swingjun...@gmail.com> Sent: 8/10/2016 17:37 To: RE-wrenches <mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Pass through/transition box for Enphase I second Mike Nelson's approach, simple, easily inspectable, rugged. Carl Adams SunRock Solar NABCEP Certified PV Installer On Aug 10, 2016 12:20 PM, "Mike Nelson" <mdelectricso...@gmail.com> wrote: I have been using buchannon copper crimps with their plastic snap on "wire nuts" for years to splice rooftop wires (enphase or pv wire to string inverter) inside junction boxes or soladecks. Best connection you can have and I've never had one come loose or melt down. Michael D Nelson MD Electric & Solar, Inc. 707-684-0064 mobile 707-884-1862 office www.mdelectricsolar.com Sent from my iPhone On Aug 9, 2016, at 11:03 PM, Ray Walters <r...@solarray.com> wrote: I think the issue has always been locating the right parts, not the installation. Everyone carries the Cobra X flex, but not the ferrules. We usually crimp lugs on and use breakers with stud terminals, so the need for ferrules is minimal. I have always wondered about the terminal bussbars from Outback and Midnite though. They're ILSCO and I can't find any mention about extra flex, which usually means they are not rated for anything beyond Class B stranding. R.Ray Walters CTO, Solarray, Inc Nabcep Certified PV Installer, Licensed Master Electrician Solar Design Engineer 303 505-8760 <tel:303%20505-8760> On 8/8/2016 9:54 PM, Jay wrote: Thimbles are easy to install and make fine strand wire OK for use in standard connections. Jay Peltz power. On Aug 8, 2016, at 5:39 PM, Glenn Burt <glenn.b...@glbcc.com> wrote: Be aware that depending upon the vintage of the Engage cable, up to recently the conductors used in their cables are fine stranded and cannot be used in the terminal blocks provided with the Soladeck. This has been acknowledged by Enphase with a revision to [The entire original message is not included.] _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
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