<div dir="ltr">Hi Kirpal,<div><br></div><div>Sounds like you are well informed but I thought I'd throw this in just in case.  In Xcel Energy territory in Colorado they specifically prohibit piercing taps for solar installations.  I'm not sure why, but you may want to run it by the utility in case there happens to be some solar specific regulation.</div><div><br></div><div>Good Luck</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, May 11, 2016 at 9:36 AM, Kirpal Khalsa <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:solarworks@gmail.com" target="_blank">solarworks@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr">Hi Shasta....Thank you for the reminder.  Safety first as they say!! Jason hit the nail on the head....Coordinating with the local utility and inspector is what caused us to go the route of the insulation piercing taps in the first place....We also considered the ConnectDer meter collar.....I am sure we will use it in the future....The local utility has not already approved their use and in the middle of a project we didn't want to break new ground. <div>Luckily for us our experienced electrician will be making the hot taps, I will use the opportunity to remind them about safety....</div><div>Cheers!</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><span class=""><br clear="all"><div><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr">Sunny Regards,<br>Kirpal Khalsa</div><div dir="ltr">Oregon LRT#25<br>NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional<br>Oregon Solarworks LLC<br><a href="http://www.oregonsolarworks.com" target="_blank">www.oregonsolarworks.com</a><br><a href="tel:541-299-0402" value="+15412990402" target="_blank">541-299-0402</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
<br></span><div><div class="h5"><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, May 11, 2016 at 7:12 AM, Shasta Daiku <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:mjmorningstar@gmail.com" target="_blank">mjmorningstar@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div style="word-wrap:break-word">Yes, “I get” that there is inconvenience in coordinating  with the utility and inspectors, permitting, and power disruption. In my world that’s just a given part of the process. Of course there are circumstances where disconnecting a utility supply is nearly unavoidable, for instance, certain industrial processes that run 24/7. I am aware that the practice of installing line side taps on energized unfused conductors is common in the solar industry and always thought it pretty cavalier. I have to wonder just how many “installers” have had real training for live work and utilize proper personnel safety protection. Part of the classwork for this type of training is watching/viewing the results of things gone wrong, even when the best practices are applied. An indelible impression<div><div>will certainly be imprinted, and an attitude of "avoiding the avoidable” second nature.</div><div><br></div><div>Michael <br><div><br><div><blockquote type="cite"><div><div><div>On May 11, 2016, at 5:24 AM, Jason Szumlanski <<a href="mailto:jason@floridasolardesigngroup.com" target="_blank">jason@floridasolardesigngroup.com</a>> wrote:</div><br></div></div><div><div><div><div dir="ltr" style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">In some jurisdictions and for some utilities, pulling the meter is a MAJOR ordeal. Some jurisdictions require a "service change" permit on top of the solar permit just to have the meter pulled. It also requires getting an inspector out there at the perfect time to have it inspected so the the utility will re-install the meter. The homeowner is often without power for several hours, which is usually somewhere between inconvenient and unacceptable. Insulation piercing taps are extremely common around here for these reasons. With proper safety precautions and experience, I don't see any issue specifying and using them.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Jason Szumlanski</div><div class="gmail_extra"><br clear="all"><div><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><span><br></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br></span></div><div dir="ltr"></div><div dir="ltr"><span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, May 11, 2016 at 12:26 AM, Shasta Daiku<span> </span><span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:mjmorningstar@gmail.com" target="_blank">mjmorningstar@gmail.com</a>></span><span> </span>wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left-width:1px;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);border-left-style:solid;padding-left:1ex"><div style="word-wrap:break-word">Kirpal, I’m curious what the reason is for making the tap on an energized line. Why not have the meter pulled? While insulation piercing taps are designed for “hot work”, there use for that should be limited to tapping conductors that have OCP, and aren’t under load, with generous working space, like in a piece of switch gear. Even in that situation, making taps on energized conductors should only be done when it’s an absolute necessity. I’ve got a large body of “hot work” under my belt, both line and load side and will say that face shields and hot gloves saved my butt on several occasions and I’ve got a nice scar on my neck from a molten piece of lug from a main breaker that broke apart while I was tightening up it’s mounting screw. Stuff happens. It’s always best to play it safe.<div><br></div><div>Michael Morningstar<div><div><br><div><br><div><blockquote type="cite"><div>On May 10, 2016, at 11:04 AM, Chris Mason <<a href="mailto:cometenergysystems@gmail.com" target="_blank">cometenergysystems@gmail.com</a>> wrote:</div><br><div><div dir="ltr">This is what we use - we keep a selection in the van for difficult jobs.<div><br></div><div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:12px;line-height:18px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(51,51,51)"><h1 style="margin:0px 0px 10px;padding:0px 0px 25px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:20px;line-height:30px;font-family:futura_light_bt;vertical-align:baseline">Insulation Piercing Connector 2/0-10 AWG</h1></div><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:12px;line-height:18px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;vertical-align:baseline;float:left;width:570px;color:rgb(51,51,51)"><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="margin:0px 5px 0px 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(127,127,127)">Part #</span><span style="margin:0px 15px 0px 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(127,127,127)">IPCS2001</span></div><div style="margin:10px 0px 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Insulation Piercing Connector 2/0-10 AWG 2/0-4 Main, 10-14 AWG Tap, Dual Rated AL9CU, Torque Limiting Nut</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, May 10, 2016 at 1:27 PM, Kirpal Khalsa<span> </span><span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:solarworks@gmail.com" target="_blank">solarworks@gmail.com</a>></span>wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left-width:1px;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);border-left-style:solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr">Hi Folks, <div>We have a job requiring a supply side connection.  Wondering if anyone could share some makes and models for connectors connecting to the wires between a main meter and the main breakers in the electrical panel.  Ideally it would be able to be done hot.  </div><div>I am also looking into the ConnectDer meter collar but will have to coordinate with the utility for that and am looking to keep things simple.  </div><div>Thank you!!!!</div><div><br></div><div><br clear="all"><div><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr">Sunny Regards,<br>Kirpal Khalsa</div><div dir="ltr">Oregon LRT#25<br>NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional<br>Oregon Solarworks LLC<br><a href="http://www.oregonsolarworks.com/" target="_blank">www.oregonsolarworks.com</a><br><a href="tel:541-299-0402" value="+15412990402" target="_blank">541-299-0402</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><div><br></div>--<span> </span><br><div><div dir="ltr">Chris Mason<div><div style="color:rgb(136,136,136)"><span style="font-size:13px">NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™</span></div><div style="color:rgb(136,136,136)"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">Solar Design Engineer</span></div><div style="color:rgb(136,136,136)"><span style="font-size:13px">Generac Generators Industrial technician</span></div></div><div style="color:rgb(136,136,136)"><span style="font-size:13px"><br></span></div><div><a href="http://www.cometenergysystems.com/" target="_blank">www.cometsolar.com</a></div><div><a href="tel:264.235.5670" value="+12642355670" target="_blank">264.235.5670</a></div><div><a href="tel:869.662.5670" value="+18696625670" target="_blank">869.662.5670</a></div><div>Skype: netconcepts</div></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;float:none;display:inline!important">_______________________________________________</span><span><br style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px"><span style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;float: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<br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature"><div><br></div><div><font color="#305A78" face="'times new roman', serif"><br></font></div><div><br></div>Mac Lewis<br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:medium;color:rgb(255,153,0)"><b><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3"><p align="left"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:small"><span style="font-family:arial;font-weight:normal;color:rgb(48,90,120)"><font face="'times new roman', serif">"Yo solo sé que no sé nada." </font><span style="font-weight:700;color:rgb(104,104,104)"><font face="'times new roman', serif">-Sócrates</font></span></span></span></font></p></font></b></span></div>
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