[RE-wrenches] [EXT] Buchanan Crimps in Outdoor Boxes

[Isaac Opalinsky]

Adam,

I assume it’s a NYSERDA inspector that’s pushing back, correct? We’ve dealt with this issue a number of times, and while I will argue until I’m blue in the face that the code does not consider the inside of a properly installed NEMA 3R enclosure a damp/wet location, NYSERDA has not accepted that argument.

To be clear, the Buchanan splice caps and insulators are only rated for dry locations.

I’ve heard that NYSERDA has allowed them to be used with dielectric gel applied to the interior of a splice cap insulator, but have not been able to confirm.

Best Regards,
Isaac Opalinsky | Director, Applications & Technical Support
mobile 443-277-6286 | isaac.opalinsky at sunpower.com<mailto:isaac.opalinsky at sunpower.com>
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From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> On Behalf Of AE Solar
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 2:55 PM
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Subject: [EXT] [RE-wrenches] Buchanan Crimps in Outdoor Boxes

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Wrenchers,
Some point back we transitioned from polaris lugs to buchanan crimps/caps (doping our wires in noalox) for our jbox splices. I know there have been a few conversations on here about this. Seems like a much more robust connection than anything we have used prior. But now we have an inspector who isn't in support of using them for outdoor/damp locations. To be fair (although it seems like a far superior connection) Ideal doesn't have documentation to support outdoor use. I know a lot of folks on here have had solid/long lasting results though. In any event, we may have to transition away from buchanan crimps and wondering what you all recommend as your second (or first) choice? Or if anyone has experience with supporting this application when dealing with inspectors? Do we go back to polaris lugs? I know there was a conversation a while back about failures with those...
Thanks for any thoughts.
Adam

Adam Katzman
Autonomous Energies
PO Box 1245
Kingston, NY 12402
www.autonomousenergies.com<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.autonomousenergies.com&d=DwMFaQ&c=Kv2S0ZicsIm17HTFqYG_Og&r=RD0lHHgQqAl7xvyDm5AiPkLCedjBloPiZPB0MsAPMCE&m=_mjHpHDfeE0DA7KJAxQp-6Q_uNnHsFLwm52PqJ_Zugw&s=TvRw39ewcR48vbSFcdNGGl_zKXV7wLvhwtjdxDX2v_w&e=>
(518) 567-1468
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