[RE-wrenches] Buchanan Crimp in 1000v Applications and the NEC

[AE Solar]

We had an inspection agency that was giving us a hard time about using
buchanan crimps in junction boxes because they aren't rated for
outdoor/damp locations. The point was made (on this listserve) that "*if
the inside of a 3R enclosure isn't considered dry enough for a buchanan
crimp/cap, then there's millions of 3R panels with breakers and busbars in
them that would have the same problem*". The inspection agency finally
relented. We put a little No-Alox in the cap. I know that's not what your
initial post was about, but tossing that in for consideration just in
case...

Adam Katzman (he/him)
Autonomous Energies | Owner/Operator
www.AutonomousEnergies.com <http://www.autonomousenergies.com>
(518) 567-1468




On Tue, Nov 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM Jay via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Hi Sam
>
> I can’t imagine being just copper it would matter, the AHJ might have a
> different opinion however
>
> Question.
> How are you insulating them?
>
> Jay
>
>
> On Nov 11, 2025, at 11:15 AM, Sam Haraldson via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
> 
> Wrenches,
>
> On the attached product spec sheet for Ideal Copper Crimps (aka Buchanan
> crimps) you'll see that max voltage for the crimp is rated at 600V but an
> asterisk indicates up to 1000V when "in fixtures and signs".  In our
> application this is a 1000v system and we are joining pairs of #10 PV
> wires.  The junctions are made in a rail-mounted, plastic j-box.  We could
> not find the definition of "fixture" as it might pertain to this situation
> in the NEC and as such are interested to learn more about using Buchanan
> crimps for 1000V applications.
>
> <image.png>
>
>
> Cheers,
> Sam
>
> [image: OnSite Energy] <https://onsiteenergyinc.com/>
>
> Sam Haraldson
> Operations Specialist
> (406) 551-6135
> 1515 N. Rouse Ave Bozeman, MT 59715
> Locally owned and operated since 2012
> [image: B Corporation] <https://onsiteenergyinc.com/bcorp>
> <IDEALIndustries-Crimp Connectors.pdf>
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