[RE-wrenches] supply side connection - Tap connector recommendations

Wed May 11 08:44:34 PDT 2016

Hi Kirpal,

Sounds like you are well informed but I thought I'd throw this in just in
case.  In Xcel Energy territory in Colorado they specifically prohibit
piercing taps for solar installations.  I'm not sure why, but you may want
to run it by the utility in case there happens to be some solar specific
regulation.

Good Luck

On Wed, May 11, 2016 at 9:36 AM, Kirpal Khalsa <solarworks at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Shasta....Thank you for the reminder.  Safety first as they say!! Jason
> hit the nail on the head....Coordinating with the local utility and
> inspector is what caused us to go the route of the insulation piercing taps
> in the first place....We also considered the ConnectDer meter collar.....I
> am sure we will use it in the future....The local utility has not already
> approved their use and in the middle of a project we didn't want to break
> new ground.
> Luckily for us our experienced electrician will be making the hot taps, I
> will use the opportunity to remind them about safety....
> Cheers!
>
> Sunny Regards,
> Kirpal Khalsa
> Oregon LRT#25
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
> Oregon Solarworks LLC
> www.oregonsolarworks.com
> 541-299-0402
>
> On Wed, May 11, 2016 at 7:12 AM, Shasta Daiku <mjmorningstar at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Yes, “I get” that there is inconvenience in coordinating  with the
>> utility and inspectors, permitting, and power disruption. In my world
>> that’s just a given part of the process. Of course there are circumstances
>> where disconnecting a utility supply is nearly unavoidable, for instance,
>> certain industrial processes that run 24/7. I am aware that the practice of
>> installing line side taps on energized unfused conductors is common in the
>> solar industry and always thought it pretty cavalier. I have to wonder just
>> how many “installers” have had real training for live work and utilize
>> proper personnel safety protection. Part of the classwork for this type of
>> training is watching/viewing the results of things gone wrong, even when
>> the best practices are applied. An indelible impression
>> will certainly be imprinted, and an attitude of "avoiding the avoidable”
>> second nature.
>>
>> Michael
>>
>> On May 11, 2016, at 5:24 AM, Jason Szumlanski <
>> jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com> wrote:
>>
>> In some jurisdictions and for some utilities, pulling the meter is a
>> MAJOR ordeal. Some jurisdictions require a "service change" permit on top
>> of the solar permit just to have the meter pulled. It also requires getting
>> an inspector out there at the perfect time to have it inspected so the the
>> utility will re-install the meter. The homeowner is often without power for
>> several hours, which is usually somewhere between inconvenient and
>> unacceptable. Insulation piercing taps are extremely common around here for
>> these reasons. With proper safety precautions and experience, I don't see
>> any issue specifying and using them.
>>
>>
>> Jason Szumlanski
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, May 11, 2016 at 12:26 AM, Shasta Daiku <mjmorningstar at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Kirpal, I’m curious what the reason is for making the tap on an
>>> energized line. Why not have the meter pulled? While insulation piercing
>>> taps are designed for “hot work”, there use for that should be limited to
>>> tapping conductors that have OCP, and aren’t under load, with generous
>>> working space, like in a piece of switch gear. Even in that situation,
>>> making taps on energized conductors should only be done when it’s an
>>> absolute necessity. I’ve got a large body of “hot work” under my belt, both
>>> line and load side and will say that face shields and hot gloves saved my
>>> butt on several occasions and I’ve got a nice scar on my neck from a molten
>>> piece of lug from a main breaker that broke apart while I was tightening up
>>> it’s mounting screw. Stuff happens. It’s always best to play it safe.
>>>
>>> Michael Morningstar
>>>
>>>
>>> On May 10, 2016, at 11:04 AM, Chris Mason <cometenergysystems at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> This is what we use - we keep a selection in the van for difficult jobs.
>>>
>>> Insulation Piercing Connector 2/0-10 AWG
>>> Part #IPCS2001
>>> Insulation Piercing Connector 2/0-10 AWG 2/0-4 Main, 10-14 AWG Tap, Dual
>>> Rated AL9CU, Torque Limiting Nut
>>>
>>> On Tue, May 10, 2016 at 1:27 PM, Kirpal Khalsa <solarworks at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Folks,
>>>> We have a job requiring a supply side connection.  Wondering if anyone
>>>> could share some makes and models for connectors connecting to the wires
>>>> between a main meter and the main breakers in the electrical panel.
>>>> Ideally it would be able to be done hot.
>>>> I am also looking into the ConnectDer meter collar but will have to
>>>> coordinate with the utility for that and am looking to keep things simple.
>>>> Thank you!!!!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sunny Regards,
>>>> Kirpal Khalsa
>>>> Oregon LRT#25
>>>> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
>>>> Oregon Solarworks LLC
>>>> www.oregonsolarworks.com
>>>> 541-299-0402
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Chris Mason
>>> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
>>> Solar Design Engineer
>>> Generac Generators Industrial technician
>>>
>>> www.cometsolar.com <http://www.cometenergysystems.com/>
>>> 264.235.5670
>>> 869.662.5670
>>> Skype: netconcepts
>>>
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-- 

Mac Lewis

*"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates*
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