[RE-wrenches] CBI circuit breakers

[North Texas Renewable Energy Inc]

Solar Pros, 

I've had real reservations about using traditional bus-type combiners that fit 2/0 down to #10 awg wires. They are almost always a poor fit and electrical connection for smaller gauge wires. 

A neat solution I found to make 100% contact with all screw-type connectors, I started using a "bootlace" ferrule on the wire ends. The thinwall copper/tin sleeve will crimp easily onto the wire and is easily compressed into a form matching the connector jaws. I use it exclusively on DIN rail type terminal blocks and would use it on larger wires >#10 but the Paladin 4-jaw crimper only goes up to #10.

The internal jumper makes an excellent connection to any number of dist blocks using threaded rather than compression connections. 

Alliedelec.com   
400-0144 ferrule
889-1441 crimper
 502-3240 internal jumper
 502-3744 terminal blk

Jim Duncan
North Texas Renewable Energy Inc
817.917.0527
ntrei at earthlink.net
www.ntrei.com 

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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: dan at foxfire-energy.com 
  To: RE-wrenches 
  Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 6:17 AM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] CBI circuit breakers


  The only problem I've had with them is that their connectors can allow multi stranded wire to "broom out", (after installation) -- causing a loose / high resistance contact. I've learned to torque / wiggle & twist and retorque all multi strand connections. I have had one side of a 60A QO breaker go open out of the blue. db


  Dan Brown
  President
  Foxfire Energy Corp.
  Renewable Energy Systems
  (802)-483-2564
  www.Foxfire-Energy.com
  NABCEP #092907-44


    -------- Original Message --------
    Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] CBI circuit breakers
    From: Allan Sindelar <allan at positiveenergysolar.com>
    Date: Mon, July 27, 2009 1:36 am
    To: "'RE-wrenches'" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>

    I have had no problems to date, Kent. Can you be more specific as to what
    problems you have had? 

    Allan Sindelar
    Allan at positiveenergysolar.com
    NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
    EE98J Journeyman Electrician
    Positive Energy, Inc.
    3201 Calle Marie
    Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
    505 424-1112
    www.positiveenergysolar.com

    -----Original Message-----
    Is it just me, or have other wrenches had problems with the CBI circuit 
    breakers used in the Outback or Midnite combiner boxes?

    Kent Osterberg
    Blue Mountain Solar, Inc.
    http://www.bluemountainsolar.com/


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