Jason, Back to your comment about Wagos. First of all, I have had some jurisdictions in NY complain about them in 3R boxes. Even after I got it in writing from Wago that while not approved for wet locations, they are ok in a 3R box. Squirting some no-ox has helped the jurisdiction with that. It's not a big deal to do, so I've given up fighting that. But I figured I'd share in case others run into that issue.
But to your point about PV wire fitting in. I have noticed that the 600v PV wire I get does just barely fit into the 221-612 wago nuts. The 1000v PV wire definitely will not. Cheers, Dave On Tue, Nov 11, 2025, 7:49 PM Chris Sparadeo via RE-wrenches < [email protected]> wrote: > > https://www.staubli.com/content/dam/ecs/technical-documentation/assembly-instructions/RE/PV_MA231-en.pdf > > Page 4 states: > “Thermal stress > Ensure that the connector is not exposed to excessive thermal stress. > • Install the connector in such a way that sufficient heat dissipation is > ensured. > • Installation in areas that restrict the air flow (e.g. in large bundles, > in split looms or other housings) is not permitted. > • Direct burial of the connector is not permitted.” > > I think a junction box would be considered a housing that restricts air > flow. > > > On Tue, Nov 11, 2025 at 7:31 PM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> We're talking about inside a junction box (NEMA 3R or 4, for example), >> not an "outdoor environment." Wagos (and other connectors like wire nuts, >> Polaris Taps, power distribution blocks, terminal blocks, etc) are allowed >> inside of a rooftop junction box, just like they are allowed in various >> switch boxes, enclosures, and cabinets that are suitable for the >> environment outdoors. >> >> For the same reason you can put circuit breakers inside of a NEMA 3R load >> center outdoors, you can use splice connectors of many kinds inside of a >> NEMA 3R enclosure. They do not need to be listed for "outdoors" because it >> is not outdoors. It's enclosed and adequately protected from the >> environment. >> >> In other words, any AHJ that challenges me on this, I just ask them to >> show me a circuit breaker that's listed for use in a wet location. That's >> usually enough to shut them down. >> >> >> Jason Szumlanski >> Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group >> NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP) >> Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956 >> Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208 >> >> On Tue, Nov 11, 2025, 7:11 PM Glenn <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> I have not found a listing for Wagos in an outdoor environment. >>> >>> -Glenn >>> >>> On Nov 11, 2025 18:01, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> We have had terrific success using Wagos in rooftop junction boxes for >>> splicing #12 Enphase cable to #10 home run THWN. We have no issues >>> whatsoever with these. >>> >>> Unfortunately, the #10 PV wire insulation is too large for the Wago >>> 221-6XX series. We have been buying #14-#4 Polaris taps and it's getting >>> very expensive. I would like an alternative. >>> >>> For a while we were using the King Innovation AlumiConn purple >>> "suitcase" connectors for Enphase, but they are only 300V rated and I don't >>> think the PV Wire insulation fits in those, either, for <300V applications. >>> >>> I have seen people using MC4 connectors in rooftop junction boxes like >>> Blake suggested, but I wasn't sure if that is acceptable practice to use >>> them this way (in an enclosure), and it does require a pretty large >>> junction box. We prefer to use the EZ Solar JB-# series of boxes. The rail >>> mount ones (JB-3) are pretty small, but the tile roof JB-2 is huge, and the >>> shingle JB-1 is sizable as well. I guess if there is no prohibition against >>> using them in an enclosure, then it should be allowed. I do like the >>> watertight nature of this solution. >>> >>> I have seen some clowns using MC4 connectors with #10 THHN wire to make >>> these splices. That's obviously no bueno. Crazy stuff... >>> >>> >>> Jason Szumlanski >>> Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group >>> NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP) >>> Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956 >>> Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208 >>> >>> >>> On Tue, Nov 11, 2025 at 4:44 PM Dave Tedeyan via RE-wrenches < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> Hi Adam, >>> This response is just to you. Is NYSERDA the inspection agency you are >>> talking about? Cause they have given me issues about using Wago Nuts inside >>> a 3R box, even after I got a statement from Wago saying that it is okay to >>> put it inside a 3R box. But squirting a bit of No-Ox in there seems to make >>> them happy about it. The one time we put one inside a 3R panel board to >>> extend a short wire and forgot to put No-Ox on that one, they gave us a 2 >>> out of 5 on the inspection, even though that was the only thing noted in >>> the entire inspection report! But I would be curious if the point you make >>> above will work with NYSERDA? >>> >>> Cheers, >>> Dave >>> >>> On Tue, Nov 11, 2025 at 4:16 PM AE Solar via RE-wrenches < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> We had an inspection agency that was giving us a hard time about using >>> buchanan crimps in junction boxes because they aren't rated for >>> outdoor/damp locations. The point was made (on this listserve) that "*if >>> the inside of a 3R enclosure isn't considered dry enough for a buchanan >>> crimp/cap, then there's millions of 3R panels with breakers and busbars in >>> them that would have the same problem*". The inspection agency finally >>> relented. We put a little No-Alox in the cap. I know that's not what your >>> initial post was about, but tossing that in for consideration just in >>> case... >>> >>> Adam Katzman (he/him) >>> Autonomous Energies | Owner/Operator >>> www.AutonomousEnergies.com <http://www.autonomousenergies.com> >>> (518) 567-1468 >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Tue, Nov 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM Jay via RE-wrenches < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> Hi Sam >>> >>> I can’t imagine being just copper it would matter, the AHJ might have a >>> different opinion however >>> >>> Question. >>> How are you insulating them? >>> >>> Jay >>> >>> >>> On Nov 11, 2025, at 11:15 AM, Sam Haraldson via RE-wrenches < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> >>> Wrenches, >>> >>> On the attached product spec sheet for Ideal Copper Crimps (aka Buchanan >>> crimps) you'll see that max voltage for the crimp is rated at 600V but an >>> asterisk indicates up to 1000V when "in fixtures and signs". In our >>> application this is a 1000v system and we are joining pairs of #10 PV >>> wires. The junctions are made in a rail-mounted, plastic j-box. We could >>> not find the definition of "fixture" as it might pertain to this situation >>> in the NEC and as such are interested to learn more about using Buchanan >>> crimps for 1000V applications. >>> >>> <image.png> >>> >>> >>> Cheers, >>> Sam >>> >>> [image: OnSite Energy] <https://onsiteenergyinc.com/> >>> >>> Sam Haraldson >>> Operations Specialist >>> (406) 551-6135 >>> 1515 N. Rouse Ave Bozeman, MT 59715 >>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1515+N.+Rouse+Ave+Bozeman,+MT+59715?entry=gmail&source=g> >>> Locally owned and operated since 2012 >>> [image: B Corporation] <https://onsiteenergyinc.com/bcorp> >>> <IDEALIndustries-Crimp Connectors.pdf> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >>> >>> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org >>> >>> List Address: [email protected] >>> >>> Change listserver email address & settings: >>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>> >>> There are two list archives for searching. 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