<html>
<body>
When using split bolts, roll up splicing tape and push it between the
forks of the bolt. This fills in the gap and is very helpful in
eliminating the sharp edges. <br><br>
Our utility won't allow piercing connectors on a line side tap. <br><br>
<br>
At 02:14 PM 6/25/2014, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Content-Type:
multipart/related;<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
boundary="----=_NextPart_000_01E8_01CF9066.A8D7C290"<br>
Content-Language: en-us<br><br>
Friends:<br>
<br>
I narrowly avoided catastrophe yesterday. I created a tap
connection on a 200 amp main breaker. I wrap split bolts with
Scotch 2229 mastic and then cover that with a generous layer of Scotch
33+ tape. <br>
<br>
On this occasion, just as I was putting the dead front in place I noticed
the glint of metal poking through the mastic and tape. The points
on the legs of the split bolt are sharp and the mastic and tape had crept
away from this point and exposed a tiny point of metal. This point
would have contacted the dead front lightly or at least would have been
in close proximity. Had I energized the breaker, I would have had a
significant arc. I unwrapped both connectors so both bolts had the
legs facing away from the dead-front, creating a good ½” of clearance and
then wrapped them more carefully.<br>
<br>
30 years ago I had access to rubberized cloth tape that we used instead
of the mastic. I suspect the cloth tape is more durable than the
mastic, but I don’t see it in the supply houses anymore.<br>
<br>
How do the rest of you wrap split bolts so you are confident that the
mastic won’t creep away from a high point on the connector?<br>
<br>
Thanks in advance.<br>
<br>
William<br>
<br>
<img src="cid:7.1.0.9.0.20140626144452.05b50e88@redwoodalliance.org.1" width=64 height=28 alt="Gradient Cap_mini">
<br>
Lic 773985<br>
<a href="http://www.millersolar.com/">millersolar.com</a><br>
805-438-5600<br>
<br><br>
<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
List sponsored by Redwood Alliance<br><br>
List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org<br><br>
Change listserver email address & settings:<br>
<a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org" eudora="autourl">
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org</a>
<br><br>
List-Archive:
<a href="http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html" eudora="autourl">
http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html</a>
<br><br>
List rules & etiquette:<br>
<a href="http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm" eudora="autourl">
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm</a><br><br>
Check out or update participant bios:<br>
<a href="http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/" eudora="autourl">
www.members.re-wrenches.org</a></blockquote></body>
</html>