Mike: Without doing a lot of research, I seem to recall what you are stating about using the Buchanan splices is true if the PV wire, micro-inverter trunk cable, or DC optimizer fine stranded wire is 19 strands or less.
Regards, Gary Willett Icarus Engineering LLC Sent from my iPhone 5s > On Sep 6, 2016, at 6:47 PM, MDElectricSolar . <mdelectricso...@gmail.com> > wrote: > > Never had an issue, they crimp fine. But just like with any electrical work, > you must pay attention all day long! > Mike > >> On Tue, Sep 6, 2016 at 4:21 PM, Benn Kilburn <b...@skyfireenergy.com> wrote: >> 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> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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 >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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 >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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 >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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 >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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 >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > > > > -- > Michael & Jessica Nelson > MD Electric & Solar Inc. > Office: 707-884-1862 > Cell: 707-684-0064 > We prefer to have ALL documentation E-mailed ** prevent paper waste** > _______________________________________________ > 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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