[RE-wrenches] battery cables

[David Brearley]

Great info, Burt.

The Greaves ³Shoo-pin² is another product that crimps to the end of highly
stranded cable, like the Cobra X-flex, resulting in a terminal that is
suitable for landing on lugs like those in the Sunny Island that are not
listed for use with fine stranded cables. Here is a link:

www.greaves-usa.com/




On 3/11/09 3:20 PM, "Glenn Burt" <glenn.burt at glbcc.com> wrote:

> Hi Jeff,
>  
> Mr. Wiles strongly suggests that welding cable not be used for battery
> connections. You can read up on his guidance here:
> http://www.nmsu.edu/~tdi/Photovoltaics/Codes-Stds/PVnecSugPract.html
>  
> Something the NEC is clear about is conductors be used that are listed for
> that purpose. Welding cable is not usually listed for battery connections.
> We too have researched the subject and selected Cobra X-flex when we need very
> flexible conductors - such as for battery interconnections. This cable is
> listed by UL to MTW / THW with a flame rating of VW-1, in the sizes we use of
> 1/0 & 2/0.
>  
> You will need to perform additional research to locate suitable lugs rated for
> fine stranded wire, and identify a crimping tool that is approved by the
> manufacturer fro use with the lugs you select. We selected a Burndy
> YAG26LTC38LD lug to use on 2/0 X-Flex on the ends to mate with our AGM
> batteries (3/8" SS bolts).
>  
> Conductors and their approved terminals are rated in a Class system,
> indicating the number of strands of a size wire, that make up the cable. For
> example one manufacturer I looked at had the following information:
> 1/0 conductor
> Class B = 19 strands
> Class C = 37 strands
> Class M (welding) = 2846
>  
> Additionally, if you plan to use the fine strand conductor to land on any
> terminals, be sure the manufacturer approves of this. We found out during an
> installation that the SMA Sunny Island will not accept the fine stranded
> conductor we had planned to use to accommodate the conduit run, and had to
> make a decision to 1) redesign the conduit run to accept a class B THWN cable
> (tough to bend) or 2) locate and procure a pin terminal adapter that crimps on
> the X-Flex to adapt it to the manufacturer's recommendation (Ilsco is a source
> of these).
>  
> I chose the former due to availability - after many calls, the only sources I
> could locate of the appropriate adapter had many weeks as lead times.
>  
> Hope this helps!
>  
> -Glenn Burt
> 
> 
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Blick
> Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 9:59 AM
> To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] battery cables
> 
> Hi wrenches,
> I have been looking through the codebook for guidance in selecting battery
> cables for a large UPS system.  The code doesn¹t appear to have much to say
> about the actual type of wire used.  My electrical supplier is suggesting
> welding cable, but I feel like I read somewhere that welding cable is not
> appropriate.  I know it needs to be 4/0 or larger, just wondering what type of
> wire others are using for this application.  Thanks!
>  
> Jeff Blick
> Lead PV Installer
> Sunlight Solar Energy, Inc.
> direct: 541-306-4196
> fax: 541-322-1911
> jeff.blick at sunlightsolar.com
> www.sunlightsolar.com <http://www.sunlightsolar.com>
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> David Brearley, Technical Editor
> SolarPro magazine
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