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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Allied Electronics carries different brands of bootlace ferrules from 20 awg up to 350 mcm. Tin/copper construction, they are designed to keep strands from splaying or being cut inside a torqued down lug. We’ve used them for years on almost all #10 & #8. It allows the wire to be removed and reinserted without damage, the ferrule conforms to the shape of the lug screw and makes more surface contact with the spherical face of the screw. They take a special crimping tool but they are pretty much foolproof. They don’t say rated for fine stranded but the mfgr should know. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><a href="http://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=70078429">http://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=70078429</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>Jim Duncan<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>North Texas Renewable Energy Inc<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'><a href="http://www.ntrei.com/"><span style='color:blue'>www.ntrei.com</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>NABCEP PV 031310-57<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>TECL-27398<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'><a href="mailto:ntrei@1scom.net"><span style='color:blue'>ntrei@1scom.net</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"'>817.917.0527<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>-----Original Message-----<br>From: re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William Miller<br>Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 1:01 AM<br>To: RE-wrenches<br>Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Flexible stranded Connectors<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Ray:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Darn good question, especially since I will be doing the exact same thing, *tomorrow*.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>I have never been clear on the real problem. Fine stranded cables overheat in the wrong lugs? Is this true for mechanical or compression?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Aside from code compliance, what is the best common sense approach to Sunny Islands with fine stranded? Annual retorquing? Pin terminals? Solder tinning the strands?????<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>I used to wrap thin copper sheeting around fine stranded just to corral the strands. Is this a possible solution?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Thanks Ray for bringing up a question I forgot to consider. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>William<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Miller Solar<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> On Apr 29, 2014, at 10:48 PM, Ray Walters <<a href="mailto:ray@solarray.com"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>ray@solarray.com</span></a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> Hi All;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> In order to avoid any of my work showing up in someone's slideshow of horrors, I'm trying to find the correct way to wire 3 Sunny Islands with Cobra X flex cable.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> While it doesn't actually mention it in the SMA manual, a call to SMA tech support confirmed my suspicions: the DC lugs in the inverter are NOT rated for flex or fine stranded cable.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> Both SMA and CED recommended I try Grainger's for crimp on adapters. Grainger had no clue, and nothing came up in searches there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> From a trade show, I have an ILSCO lug book, that shows a crimp on <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> pigtail adapter. It does not mention whether its flex rated though on the crimp side of the adapter, as the adapter is used primarily to land over sized cables into smaller lugs. (2/0 to #1, for instance) The best I've found so far, is NSI, which makes sleeves, that are installed around the wire, right in the connection:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <a href="http://www.nsiindustries.com/products/electrical/connectors/compressio"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>http://www.nsiindustries.com/products/electrical/connectors/compressio</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> n-connectors/copper-compression/fsflex-cable-sleeve.aspx<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> I also found a Schneider white paper recommending sleeves with their lugs:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <a href="http://static.schneider-electric.us/docs/Circuit%20Protection/0515DB03"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>http://static.schneider-electric.us/docs/Circuit%20Protection/0515DB03</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> 01.pdf<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> So who has used these sleeves, and where do I get them?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> The sleeves seem like a decent compromise, whilst the ILSCO pigtail <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> adapters are coming in at $40/ ea...... (ouch)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> On the internet, I'm seeing several examples of X flex used directly (no adapters) with the Sunny Islands, so are folks just blowing off articles 690.31(F) and 110.14, that specify the connector be rated for flex cable?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> And finally, couldn't SMA use a lug that was flex rated?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> For example, Marathon makes Class K rated mechanical Lugs: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <a href="http://www.marathonsp.com/NewRatings.html"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>http://www.marathonsp.com/NewRatings.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> I'd use THHN, but I really don't feel good about wiring the Heineman breakers with that stiff a wire. I've cracked breaker cases before......that's why the X flex is industry standard for off grid DC.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> Thanks for your help,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> --<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> R.Ray Walters<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> CTO, Solarray, Inc<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> Nabcep Certified PV Installer,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> Licensed Master Electrician<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> Solar Design Engineer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> 303 505-8760<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> _______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> List sponsored by Home Power magazine<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> List Address: <a href="mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> Change email address & settings:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> List-Archive: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> List rules & etiquette:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <a href="http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> Check out participant bios:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <a href="http://www.members.re-wrenches.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>www.members.re-wrenches.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>_______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>List sponsored by Home Power magazine<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>List Address: <a href="mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Change email address & settings:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>List-Archive: <a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>List rules & etiquette:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Check out participant bios:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="http://www.members.re-wrenches.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>www.members.re-wrenches.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>