[RE-wrenches] Wire nuts

Tue Sep 6 16:21:31 PDT 2016

August, et al,
Do you have any issues with crimping the fine wires that are typically on a microinverter cable, to a coarse stranded or solid wire? 
Or, do you know if there is an issue with using these crimps with fine stranded wire?

Benn Kilburn
SkyFire Energy Inc. 
780-906-7807

> On Sep 6, 2016, at 3:55 PM, August Goers <august at luminalt.com> wrote:
> 
> We’re using ideal/Buchanan splice cap crimp connectors as I’ve posted here a couple of times:
>  
> http://www.idealind.com/ideal-electrical/us/en/products/wire-termination/60-crimp-connectors/copper-splice-cap-crimp-connectors.aspx
>  
> We really like these in nearly every way. I just spoke with Ideal on the phone to verify their listing for damp/wet locations. They gave me a verbal okay to use them in outdoor boxes, but don’t have any documentation providing a specific listing for this purpose. This puts us in a bind, but they still seem like the least of all evils.
>  
> It looks from Jerry’s picture that the box got wet inside. You can see signs of dirty water intrusion towards the back of the box and the wires look they were once muddy as well. The outdoor rated wire nuts that are pre-packed with grease likely would have been okay in a very wet box provided they were assembled properly. We are putting weep holes in our boxes and conduit bodies because we’ve had multiple issues with water flooding boxes and conduits. Dirty conductive water and 600 VDC don’t mix well.
>  
> August
>  
> From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Jason Szumlanski
> Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2016 1:25 PM
> To: RE-wrenches
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Wire nuts
>  
> 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
>     
> 
> 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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