Butt splices used for cable termination into breakers

[sespllc]

I have a contractor that would like to use butt splices to terminate fine stranded cable into breakers....it has been suggested that they use the proper CE or UL listed crimp-on connectors, but to meet schedule they recommend using butt splices since they are onsite...I do not use these as a matter of course, but, is there a precedence for this application of butt splices?

 

[Smart $]

I have a contractor that would like to use butt splices to terminate fine stranded cable into breakers....it has been suggested that they use the proper CE or UL listed crimp-on connectors, but to meet schedule they recommend using butt splices since they are onsite...I do not use these as a matter of course, but, is there a precedence for this application of butt splices?

Can say I've seen or heard of this before, but I seldom work with fine-stranded wire.

But what strikes my funny bone more is what type of installation is this that they are using fine-stranded wire? Typical premises wiring recognized by the NEC is not fine-stranded. Additionally, I don't ever recall a breaker spec on the stranding of the wire to be connected (not that I put much time into reading breaker spec's ).

 

[nhfire77]

I have used butt splices go from say #4 to #6 so it will fit the breaker terminal.

If its a UL listed fine conductor splice, why not?

Job specs not withstanding.

 

[Hendrix]

I have used butt splices go from say #4 to #6 so it will fit the breaker terminal.

If its a UL listed fine conductor splice, why not?

Job specs not withstanding.

You could solder the ends.

 

[nhfire77]

You could solder the ends.

I am lazy.

 

[Buck Parrish]

Depending on the type of breaker. If you twist the ends real tight. I think I would trust the breaker connection. More then I would trust a butt splice. For example a sq-d qo type breaker would hold it tight.
But specs are specs, guess you got to go by them.

 

[SPLandry]

Fine conductor cable is common in Marina work

Fine conductor cable is common in Marina work

I have actually installed transition splices in the gutter of a panelboard in order to change from fine strand conductors to standard building wire. A properly completed butt splice utilizing heat shrink for insulation replacement takes up very little additional space as compared to the conductor, and I do not feel placing fine strand wire under a set screw of any desciption is acceptable, when you try to back off the setscrew the strands get caught in the threads, and bind up the set screw. In a perfect world I would perfer to use a compression lug, and bolt the conductor to the breaker, but that scenario is not very comon.

 

[Sierrasparky]

what was the purpose of using this type of wire if I might ask?

 

[LJSMITH1]

These are interesting:

http://www.greaves-usa.com/pdf/Shoo-Pin%20Color%20Sheet.pdf

 

[tkb]

How about wire ferrules?

 

[nhfire77]

These are interesting:

http://www.greaves-usa.com/pdf/Shoo-Pin%20Color%20Sheet.pdf

Hey, those are nice. love this site!

 

[Speedskater]

Someone recently posted the link to this article about fine strand wire:

http://www.iaei.org/magazine/?p=2231

 

[Jacob S]

Today 03:44 PM
tkb How about wire ferrules?

Are they listed for this purpose? I always wondered, since they make them for up around 4/0. I use them all the time for terminating stranded low voltage connectors, but never for power.

Panduit 6awg

 

[KentAT]

IMO they want to use a product with a UL listing for a "splicing wire connector" (UL486C) for an application of a "terminal wire connector", (which the Scope of 486C specifically excludes as covered by 486C), so the UL listing wouldn't apply for the use.

"...1.5 This Standard does not apply to:
c) terminal wire connectors;..."

They should probably get the correct connectors...