I agree. However, be aware that most commonly available insulated connectors are
not listed for motor applications (think vibration). I recently had to resort to
the tried and true, taped, split bolt splice 
on a 140 kW alternator at a hydro site, because no other listed alternative was
readily available. 

I use the newer insulated connectors 95% of the time, for the reasons you
mention, but not because they provide a lower resistance splice. My sense is
that a properly executed split bolt splice 
is equivalent, or superior, resistance-wise, to any other splice or termination
I know of.

Dick Ratico
Solarwind Electric
Bradford, VT


--- You wrote:
At this point, there are much better products for splicing than split bolts. The
insulated splice blocks don't need tape, and are easy to check later too.
I just don't see a reason to use uninsulated splices anymore. All your time
spent wrapping (and unwrapping) will more than pay the difference for the better
connector.
Especially after many on this list were advocating for less than 1% volt drop, 
you have to use superior connectors to get even close.
My field measurements have shown that wire was usually had less loss than
predicted, while resistance across connections was higher.

R. Walters
ray@solarray.com
Solar Engineer




On Apr 25, 2010, at 6:02 AM, Richard L Ratico wrote:

> Peter,
> 
> May be mistaken, but I don't think "Tape" is mentioned specifically anywhere
in
> the code. What kind of splices do you have in mind? Not wirenuts I hope? One
of
> my pet peeves, sorry.
> 
> I don't have my 2008 Codebook handy. 2005 NEC Article 110.14(B) requires, "All
> splices and joints and the free ends of conductors shall be covered with an
> insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device
> identified for the purpose."
> 
> IMHO it would be unwise to use anything other than a UL listed Tape. Scotch
> brand 33+ is an amazing product. More expensive than most others, but worth 
it. 
> 
> Insulating Split Bolts or require lots of tape to build thickness? Use UL
Listed
> rubber tape as well. The devil is in the details here. Some "tricks of the
> trade" apply.
> 
> Dick Ratico
> Solarwind Electric
> Bradford, VT
> 
> 
> --- You wrote:
> Can anyone give me the NEC reference for taping UL-listed wire splice
> connectors (indoors)? Does the tape need to be UL listed? Anything else that
> pertains? 
> 
> - Peter
> 
> Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D., President
> California Solar Engineering, Inc.
> 820 Cynthia Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90065
> CA Lic. 854779, NABCEP Cert. 031806-26
> peter.parrish@calsolareng.com  
> Ph 323-258-8883, Mobile 323-839-6108, Fax 323-258-8885
> 
> 
> --- end of quote ---
--- end of quote ---

