Do you mean beyond the NEC listing violation?
-----Original Message-----
From: "Benn Kilburn" <b...@skyfireenergy.com>
Sent: 9/6/2016 19:21
To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Wire nuts
August, et al,
Do you have any issues with crimping the fine wires that are typically on a
microinverter cable, to a coarse stranded or solid wire?
Or, do you know if there is an issue with using these crimps with fine stranded
wire?
Benn Kilburn
SkyFire Energy Inc.
780-906-7807
> On Sep 6, 2016, at 3:55 PM, August Goers <aug...@luminalt.com> wrote:
>
> We’re using ideal/Buchanan splice cap crimp connectors as I’ve posted here a
> couple of times:
>
> http://www.idealind.com/ideal-electrical/us/en/products/wire-termination/60-crimp-connectors/copper-splice-cap-crimp-connectors.aspx
>
> We really like these in nearly every way. I just spoke with Ideal on the
> phone to verify their listing for damp/wet locations. They gave me a verbal
> okay to use them in outdoor boxes, but don’t have any documentation providing
> a specific listing for this purpose. This puts us in a bind, but they still
> seem like the least of all evils.
>
> It looks from Jerry’s picture that the box got wet inside. You can see signs
> of dirty water intrusion towards the back of the box and the wires look they
> were once muddy as well. The outdoor rated wire nuts that are pre-packed with
> grease likely would have been okay in a very wet box provided they were
> assembled properly. We are putting weep holes in our boxes and conduit bodies
> because we’ve had multiple issues with water flooding boxes and conduits.
> Dirty conductive water and 600 VDC don’t mix well.
>
> August
>
> From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On
> Behalf Of Jason Szumlanski
> Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2016 1:25 PM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Wire nuts
>
> I was just called last week to a three phase Enphase system installed by
> others with three of eight strings that were exhibiting erratic voltages on
> random phases. First I checked the combiner panels and everything checked
> out. I went to the roof and discovered that wet rated wire nuts were used
> (red). The first of eight j-boxes that I opened, I just pushed a wire a
> little and heard crackling sounds. I didn't have to go any further... bad
> connections. Problem identified.
>
> So the question remains... what ARE you using? There is a recent thread about
> fine stranded wire and Polaris taps not being acceptable. There are also
> people using Alumiconn and Polaris black connectors, which are not rated for
> wet/damp locations. This all ties in together in terms of best practices in
> roof junction/transition boxes.
>
>
> Jason Szumlanski
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Sep 6, 2016 at 3:19 PM, August Goers <aug...@luminalt.com> wrote:
> Are those wire nuts listed for wet locations? Most ideal outdoor (damp/wet)
> rated wire nuts are blue or grey in my experience.
>
> August
> Luminalt
>
> From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On
> Behalf Of Benn Kilburn
> Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2016 12:02 PM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Wire nuts
>
> The reason i'm asking is that the only time i have seen a short, first-hand,
> in a wire nut, was because it appeared that one wire was pushed down rather
> than binding with the other wire, which would have happened if the wires were
> not held tightly when the nut was twisted on. Also, it was a stranded wire
> (that was pushed down) being connected to a solid wire, which is acceptable,
> but care must be taken to do it properly.
>
> Also, on all the Ideal wire nut packages I have, the instructions say to
> twist the wire nut on until there are two visible twists in the wire. I
> suppose this is to ensure the twist/connection is sufficient to make a solid
> connection and perhaps to keep the wires together if the wire nut is removed.
>
> The ones in this photo do not look like they were installed as per the
> instructions, which brings how much attention was put in to installing them
> in the first place.
>
> I've always questioned the why wire nuts are cautioned against, especially
> considering how many wire nuts are used in residential and commercial jobs.
> I'm sure if there was a legit issue with them then insurance companies would
> insist they not be used, such as aluminum wiring?
>
> Benn Kilburn
> CSA Certified Solar Photovoltaic Systems Electrician, SkyFire Energy Inc
> 14515 – 121A Ave NW | Edmonton, AB | T5L 2T2
> P: 780-474-8992 | F: 888-405-5843 | www.skyfireenergy.com
>
>
> WE HAVE MOVED! Please note our new address above.
>
> On Tue, Sep 6, 2016 at 12:47 PM, Jerry Shafer <jerrysgarag...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> All the other nuts are tight so l cant not say it was or not but l see this
> alot and this was one that was caught just at the right time.
> Jerry
>
>
> On Sep 6, 2016 8:44 AM, "Benn Kilburn" <b...@skyfireenergy.com> wrote:
> Jerry,
> Can you confirm that this was caused by a failure of the wire nut, itself,
> and not due to user error (not properly stripping enough jacket, inserting
> even length wires and sufficiently twisting on the wire nut)
>
> Benn Kilburn
> SkyFire Energy Inc.
> 780-906-7807
>
> On Sep 6, 2016, at 12:32 PM, Jerry Shafer <jerrysgarag...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Wrenches
> Better pic
>
>
> On Sep 5, 2016 4:52 PM, "Jerry Shafer" <jerrysgarag...@gmail.com> wrote:
> To my fellow wrenches
> It comes up every so often and with DC, I will not use, approve or pass any
> wire nuts on any DC side. Some say its OK but the facts are they will fail,
> this connection was just six years and when l opened the junction box it was
> glowing and by the looks of it has for some time. There are 8 strings 2 per
> string and thats a 12.5 % failure rate (the other one was completely
> distroyed) not to mention the fire hazard in a PVC junction box.
> Please pass this along and tell everyone to stop using these.
> Jerry
>
> <2016-09-06 08.29.40.jpg>
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