[RE-wrenches] Wire nuts

Tue Sep 6 13:25:14 PDT 2016

I was just called last week to a three phase Enphase system installed by
others with three of eight strings that were exhibiting erratic voltages on
random phases. First I checked the combiner panels and everything checked
out. I went to the roof and discovered that wet rated wire nuts were used
(red). The first of eight j-boxes that I opened, I just pushed a wire a
little and heard crackling sounds. I didn't have to go any further... bad
connections. Problem identified.

So the question remains... what ARE you using? There is a recent thread
about fine stranded wire and Polaris taps not being acceptable. There are
also people using Alumiconn and Polaris black connectors, which are not
rated for wet/damp locations. This all ties in together in terms of best
practices in roof junction/transition boxes.

Jason Szumlanski

On Tue, Sep 6, 2016 at 3:19 PM, August Goers <august at luminalt.com> wrote:

> Are those wire nuts listed for wet locations? Most ideal outdoor
> (damp/wet) rated wire nuts are blue or grey in my experience.
>
>
>
> August
>
> Luminalt
>
>
>
> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Benn Kilburn
> *Sent:* Tuesday, September 06, 2016 12:02 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Wire nuts
>
>
>
> The reason i'm asking is that the only time i have seen a short,
> first-hand, in a wire nut, was because it appeared that one wire was pushed
> down rather than binding with the other wire, which would have happened if
> the wires were not held tightly when the nut was twisted on.  Also, it was
> a stranded wire (that was pushed down) being connected to a solid wire,
> which is acceptable, but care must be taken to do it properly.
>
> Also, on all the Ideal wire nut packages I have, the instructions say to
> twist the wire nut on until there are two visible twists in the wire.  I
> suppose this is to ensure the twist/connection is sufficient to make a
> solid connection and perhaps to keep the wires together if the wire nut is
> removed.
>
> The ones in this photo do not look like they were installed as per the
> instructions, which brings how much attention was put in to installing them
> in the first place.
>
> I've always questioned the why wire nuts are cautioned against, especially
> considering how many wire nuts are used in residential and commercial
> jobs.  I'm sure if there was a legit issue with them then insurance
> companies would insist they not be used, such as aluminum wiring?
>
>
> *Benn Kilburn *
>
> CSA Certified Solar Photovoltaic Systems Electrician, SkyFire Energy Inc
>
> 14515 – 121A Ave NW | Edmonton, AB | T5L 2T2
>
> P: 780-474-8992 | F: 888-405-5843 | www.skyfireenergy.com
>
> [image: email] <benn at skyfireenergy.com> [image: facebook]
> <https://www.facebook.com/SkyFireEnergy> [image: twitter]
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>
>
> [image: SkyFire Energy Logo_horizontal]
>
> *WE HAVE MOVED!** Please note our new address above.*
>
>
>
> On Tue, Sep 6, 2016 at 12:47 PM, Jerry Shafer <jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> All the other nuts are tight so l cant not say it was or not but l see
> this alot and this was one that was caught just at the right time.
> Jerry
>
>
>
> On Sep 6, 2016 8:44 AM, "Benn Kilburn" <benn at skyfireenergy.com> wrote:
>
> Jerry,
>
> Can you confirm that this was caused by a failure of the wire nut, itself,
> and not due to user error (not properly stripping enough jacket,  inserting
> even length wires and sufficiently twisting on the wire nut)
>
> Benn Kilburn
>
> SkyFire Energy Inc.
>
> 780-906-7807
>
>
> On Sep 6, 2016, at 12:32 PM, Jerry Shafer <jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Wrenches
> Better pic
>
>
>
> On Sep 5, 2016 4:52 PM, "Jerry Shafer" <jerrysgarage01 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> To my fellow wrenches
> It comes up every so often and with DC, I will not use, approve or pass
> any wire nuts on any DC side. Some say its OK but the facts are they will
> fail, this connection was just six years and when l opened the junction box
> it was glowing and by the looks of it has for some time. There are 8
> strings 2 per string and thats a 12.5 % failure rate (the other one was
> completely distroyed) not to mention the fire hazard in a PVC junction box.
> Please pass this along and tell everyone to stop using these.
> Jerry
>
> <2016-09-06 08.29.40.jpg>
>
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