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They are also prohibited by AEP Ohio.<br><br>
At 11:44 AM 5/11/2016, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Hi Kirpal,<br><br>
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.<br><br>
Good Luck<br><br>
On Wed, May 11, 2016 at 9:36 AM, Kirpal Khalsa
<<a href="mailto:solarworks@gmail.com">solarworks@gmail.com</a>>
wrote:<br>
<dl>
<dd>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. <br>
<dd>Luckily for us our experienced electrician will be making the hot
taps, I will use the opportunity to remind them about safety....<br>
<dd>Cheers!<br><br>
<dd>Sunny Regards,<br>
<dd>Kirpal Khalsa<br>
<dd>Oregon LRT#25<br>
<dd>NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional<br>
<dd>Oregon Solarworks LLC<br>
<dd><a href="http://www.oregonsolarworks.com">www.oregonsolarworks.com</a>
<br>
<dd><a href="tel:541-299-0402">541-299-0402</a><br><br>
<dd>On Wed, May 11, 2016 at 7:12 AM, Shasta Daiku
<<a href="mailto:mjmorningstar@gmail.com">mjmorningstar@gmail.com</a>
> wrote:<br>
<dl>
<dd>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<br>
<dd>will certainly be imprinted, and an attitude of "avoiding the
avoidable” second nature.<br><br>
<dd>Michael <br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">
<dd>On May 11, 2016, at 5:24 AM, Jason Szumlanski
<<a href="mailto:jason@floridasolardesigngroup.com">
jason@floridasolardesigngroup.com</a>> wrote:<br><br>
<dd>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.<br><br>
<br>
<dd>Jason Szumlanski<br><br>
<br><br>
<br>
<dd>On Wed, May 11, 2016 at 12:26 AM, Shasta DaikuÂ
<<a href="mailto:mjmorningstar@gmail.com">mjmorningstar@gmail.com</a>
>Â wrote:<br>
<dl>
<dd>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.<br><br>
<dd>Michael Morningstar<br>
<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">
<dd>On May 10, 2016, at 11:04 AM, Chris Mason
<<a href="mailto:cometenergysystems@gmail.com">
cometenergysystems@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br><br>
<dd>This is what we use - we keep a selection in the van for difficult
jobs.<br><br>
<br>
<dd><h1><b>Insulation Piercing Connector 2/0-10 AWG</b></h1><br><br>
<dd>Part #IPCS2001<br>
<dd>Insulation Piercing Connector 2/0-10 AWG 2/0-4 Main, 10-14 AWG Tap,
Dual Rated AL9CU, Torque Limiting Nut<br><br>
<dd>On Tue, May 10, 2016 at 1:27 PM, Kirpal KhalsaÂ
<<a href="mailto:solarworks@gmail.com">solarworks@gmail.com</a>
>wrote:<br>
<dl>
<dd>Hi Folks, <br>
<dd>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.  <br>
<dd>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. Â <br>
<dd>Thank you!!!!<br><br>
<br>
<dd>Sunny Regards,<br>
<dd>Kirpal Khalsa<br>
<dd>Oregon LRT#25<br>
<dd>NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional<br>
<dd>Oregon Solarworks LLC<br>
<dd><a href="http://www.oregonsolarworks.com/">
www.oregonsolarworks.com</a><br>
<dd><a href="tel:541-299-0402">541-299-0402</a><br><br>
</dl><br><br>
<br>
<dd>--Â <br>
<dd>Chris Mason<br>
<dd>NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™<br>
</dl>
</dl>
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