[RE-wrenches] Wet locations: (was Push-in Wire Connectors)

[Ray Walters]

I started using the wet rated wire nuts, because I've found some 
corrosion in old connectors in outdoor boxes. BTW, why don't you like 
the goo filled wire nuts? They seem a decent and cost effective solution.
  I agree with your idea that condensation and moisture buildup can 
occur even in a NEMA 4 box, and the issue that I have is that breakers 
and fuse holders in combiner boxes are definitely not wet rated. I 
wonder what happens to the internal workings of a breaker after decades 
in an outdoor box, but considering there are an awful lot of them around 
(at least AC) I guess I'll get  another night's sleep in our less than 
perfect world of PV wiring.

Ray

On 10/21/2011 9:05 AM, Jamie Johnson wrote:
> William, the only explanation that I have found for using THWN-2 in 
> conduit run through the attic is that during the day as the 
> temperature in the attic increases, the air in the conduit expands, at 
> night the opposite effect happens, the temperature in the attic 
> decreases and the volume of air in the conduit contracts with the 
> potential to bring in what ever climate conditions exist outside the 
> conduit (In FL this could be humid air).
> Over time if there is humid air present, this could form condensation 
> in the conduit or NEMA 4 rated enclosure, hence the need for wire and 
> connections rated for a wet location.
> I have seen photos at inspectors meetings of NEMA 4 enclosures and 
> conduit that contained water although I am not sure how often this 
> would normally happen.
>
> *Jamie Johnson
> NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales Professional
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
>
> General Manager*
> *SOLAR POWER ELECTRIC*
> **
> **
>
>     -------- Original Message --------
>     Subject: [RE-wrenches] Wet locations: (was Push-in Wire Connectors)
>     From: William Miller <william at millersolar.com
>     <mailto:william at millersolar.com>>
>     Date: Fri, October 21, 2011 10:51 am
>     To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>     <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>>
>
>     Friends:
>
>     I have had plan checkers insist I use wet rated wire on rooftops
>     even though the wire was in either liquid tight or EMT with
>     raintight connectors.  I did not need to dispute this because we
>     had specified THHN wire that is also rated THWN for wet
>     locations.  This discussion makes me think I should have
>     contradicted the requirement because I am not sure wet rated wire
>     is required inside dry conduit.  I will be looking this up.
>
>     I feel that you should not let an AHJ impose a requirement that is
>     not in the code because then you become bound to the new
>     stricture.  I realize that an AHJ can impose stricter
>     requirements, but I insist that it be in writing, required in
>     advance of the job in question and that it be required
>     universally.  Otherwise, it's anarchy.
>
>     William Miller
>
>
>     Miller Solar
>     Voice :805-438-5600
>     email: william at millersolar.com <mailto:william at millersolar.com>
>     http://millersolar.com
>     <http://millersolar.com/>License No. C-10-773985
>
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