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

[Drake]

They are also prohibited by AEP Ohio.

At 11:44 AM 5/11/2016, you wrote:
>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 
><<mailto:solarworks at gmail.com>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.Â
>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
><http://www.oregonsolarworks.com>www.oregonsolarworks.com
><tel:541-299-0402>541-299-0402
>
>On Wed, May 11, 2016 at 7:12 AM, Shasta Daiku 
><<mailto:mjmorningstar at gmail.com>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.
>
>MichaelÂ
>
>>On May 11, 2016, at 5:24 AM, Jason Szumlanski 
>><<mailto:jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com>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 
>><<mailto:mjmorningstar at gmail.com>mjmorningstar at gmail.com>Â 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 
>>><<mailto:cometenergysystems at gmail.com>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 <<mailto:solarworks at gmail.com>solarworks at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>Hi Folks,Â
>>>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. Â
>>>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. Â
>>>Thank you!!!!
>>>
>>>
>>>Sunny Regards,
>>>Kirpal Khalsa
>>>Oregon LRT#25
>>>NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
>>>Oregon Solarworks LLC
>>><http://www.oregonsolarworks.com/>www.oregonsolarworks.com
>>><tel:541-299-0402>541-299-0402
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>--Â
>>>Chris Mason
>>>NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
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