[RE-wrenches] Ferrules for large fine-stranded wire.

[jay]

this got me curious.

Here is the only picture I can find of anything rated for fine strand distrubution block.  
Notice it has an extension on the bottom of the compression screw.  Which I guess is keeping the find stands out of the threads. 


Nothing else I can find says it’s rated from fine strand.  

Happy to be proven wrong. 

jay

https://www.hubbell.com/burndy/en/products/bdblcs7r1dw-large-flex-rated-power-distribution-block/p/8517004

> On Sep 3, 2025, at 3:56 PM, Kirk Herander <kirkh at vermont.solar> wrote:
> 
> IMO, any OEM that recommends a ferrule does not use fine-strand rated compression lugs in their equipment.
> 
> Rated lugs do exist, they just don’t seem to be spec’ed by OEMs.
> 
> I don’t like ferrules on battery cable and always use fine-stranded compression PDBs when building custom battery combiners.
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  <>
> Kirk Herander /  <>kirkh at vermont.solar <mailto:kirkh at vermont.solar>
> Owner|Principal, VT Solar, LLC
> Celebrating our 34st Anniversary 1991-2025!!
> dba Vermont Solar Engineering
> 802.559.1225
> 
> 
> On Wed, Sep 3, 2025 at 5:38 PM jay via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>> wrote:
>> From my memory none of the compression lug style are rated for fine stand, at least without a ferrule.
>> 
>> Because strands can get into the threads and bind, making it seam like its tight but its not.
>> 
>> But I could be wrong
>> 
>> 
>>> On Sep 3, 2025, at 2:39 PM, Ray Walters via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org <mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I've got to ask: Are none of the lugs on these Chinese inverters approved for fine strand cable?  I just have not had a problem with that, but I've mostly used Magnum, Midnite, and Outback equipment over the years.   What were the lugs on the old Trace DC 250 boxes?  Were they fine strand rated?  They sure were tough to get 4/0 into, as William mentioned. 
>>> 
>>> Ray 
>>> Remote Solar
>>> 
>>> On 9/3/2025 12:57 PM, Kent via RE-wrenches wrote:
>>>> William,
>>>> 
>>>> If the only reason the ferrule wouldn't fit after using the hex crimper was the ridge left where the dies meet, you could rotate the cable 120 degrees and crimp the ferrule again.
>>>> 
>>>> I doubt that the indenter crimper will do a decent job with large ferrules.
>>>> 
>>>> I do like your thin piece of copper solution. Not UL approved but I dare say wrench approved.
>>>> 
>>>> Kent Osterberg
>>>> Blue Mountain Solar
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On 9/2/2025 8:55 PM, William Miller via RE-wrenches wrote:
>>>>> Friends:
>>>>>  
>>>>> Thank you for all of your input on this question.  I feel it only right I report back how this turned out
>>>>>  
>>>>> I tried a crimper like this:
>>>>>  
>>>>>  
>>>>> 
>>>>> It left a jagged ridge on both sides of the ferrule where the dies met.
>>>>>  
>>>>> The crimper below was suggested but I have not tried it:
>>>>> 
>>>>> This was suggested but I have not tried it either:
>>>>> 
>>>>>  
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>>> 
>>> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org <http://re-wrenches.org/>
>>> 
>>> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org <mailto:RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>>> 
>>> Change listserver email address & settings:
>>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>> 
>>> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other:
>>> https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/
>>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>>> 
>>> List rules & etiquette:
>>> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>>> 
>>> Check out or update participant bios:
>>> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/>
>> _______________________________________________
>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>> 
>> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org <http://re-wrenches.org/>
>> 
>> List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org <mailto:RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>> 
>> Change listserver email address & settings:
>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>> 
>> There are two list archives for searching. When one doesn't work, try the other:
>> https://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/
>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>> 
>> List rules & etiquette:
>> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>> 
>> Check out or update participant bios:
>> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/>
>> 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20250903/3a152f04/attachment-0001.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: apple-touch-icon.png
Type: image/png
Size: 651 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20250903/3a152f04/attachment-0001.png>