It is always ideal to not have to splice except when the reality of coming in on a job that is old work, someone who did not follow basic code requirements, an insurance situation, an existing equipment upgrade, an insurance situation, a remote home, a really remote home you had to fly to, a 2000 foot run to an array and you hit granite, or Telcom. I could remember a few more with some time.
I almost always use a Square D 3phase HV disco at the array and that is my combiner/JB/transition. I can safely connect 2 strings and many KW of solar all in one box. Add the fuses and 3 strings in one box. That is ideal for me! Sometimes ideal is the goal that is not always achieved:) > William, > The only place we use splicing is in the transition box, where we > transition from USE/RHW or PV wire to THWN in conduit. We almost always > have this transition in smaller systems without need of a combiner box. > I suspect it is the same for others. In larger systems there is no need > for splicing anywhere with the use of combiner boxes. > > Daryl > > > >> Wrenches: >> >> I am wondering why the proliferation of splices in PV leads? We all >> know >> splices are a weak link. >> >> We allow only one connection between a module and the feeder >> destination-- >> be it a combiner, inverter or optimizer-- and it is an MC connector, one >> side of which is factory-made and provided by the module manufacturer. >> >> If one plans and pulls PV circuits with forethought, splices should not >> be >> necessary. >> >> If anyone wants to know more about how this can be accomplished, look at >> our web site or contact me off list. >> >> William >> >>> On Apr 8, 2017, at 10:05 AM, Glenn Burt <glenn.b...@glbcc.com> wrote: >>> >>> It is also worth noting that many of the SMA installation manuals >>> specifically say do not use wire nuts on DC wiring. >>> Of course choosing to ignore the manufacturers installation >>> instructions >>> would be a NEC violation. >>> From: Drake >>> Sent: â4/â8/â2017 12:10 >>> To: RE-wrenches >>> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Polaris gone bad? >>> >>> >>> At 01:35 PM 4/6/2017, you wrote: >>>> Recently we interfaced with another solar install firm that has gone >>>> back to wire nuts due to this same problem. >>> >>> Wire nuts have the advantage of holding the wires tight with a spring. >>> The spring follows the cold flow of the copper over the years. A screw >>> type connection does not. >>> >>> When I service an old breaker box, usually the wires are loose under >>> the >>> screw connections, especially on the neutral and grounding bars. Often >>> they are very loose, and I bet that the screws were tight after the >>> initial installation of the equipment. >>> >>> On old industrial control equipment, I've learned the hard way to >>> tighten all screws before doing anything in the box, as wires are prone >>> to fall out of the loose screw connections. Again, these connections >>> have the weakness of being held by terminal screws, with no spring to >>> follow the cold flow of the metal. >>> >>> With wire nuts, it can be a bit tricky to know if you have a good >>> connection, as the connection is hidden under the plastic cap. It is >>> good to pull hard on each wire separately to be sure it is securely >>> under the spring. It is crucial never to mix copper and aluminum under >>> a >>> wire nut unless it is one specifically designed for the purpose. Unless >>> specifically listed, all out door wire nuts should be in a weather >>> proof >>> box, and preferably taped. >>> >>> Drake Chamberlin >>> Athens Electric LLC >>> OH License 44810 >>> CO License 3773 >>> NABCEP Certified Solar PV >>> 740-448-7328 >>> http://athens-electric.com/ >>> >>> Virus-free. www.avast.com >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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