Landing 15KV AL CN cable on live front transformer

[electrofelon]

I have to terminate the cable on a pole transformer which has the typical bronze eye bolt connecters on top of the bushings. After the termination kit, should I land the #2 AL conductor right on the transformer or should I transition to copper wire first? There is not a cutout or anything, cable goes directly to transformer primary. Typically I see POCOS tail off the transformer with copper and then splice to aluminum for the low voltage side, but I havnt been able to see an example of the HV side. These transformers will be in an enclosure and not out in the weather.

 

[kwired]

I'd guess the bronze connector isn't rated for aluminum conductors so you need to find a way to transition to copper.

 

[electrofelon]

I'd guess the bronze connector isn't rated for aluminum conductors so you need to find a way to transition to copper.

It's hard to dig up the information on the transformer lugs, and probably not worth the time. I agree just an inline splice to a piece of CU is best bet

 

[ppsh]

Solid or stranded #2?
Usually see these or a lug on the end of stress cones. Homac pin terminal, gives a tin plated copper pin. Termination kit seals on the connector body keeping moisture from entering the cable through the conductor strands.

 

[Hv&Lv]

Bronze connectors aren't dual rated and are only rated for CU conductor.
The termination pin ppsh shows is the way to go
If it will allow the cable to remain straight.
If you're putting the cable on a cable stand or other holding apparatus I doubt even the 8" pins will work.

We train, mount and secure our cable first, then squeeze a piece of #2 solid to the pin with a H type copper crimp it, then run that #2 copper to the transformer bronze connector.
Now with that being said, we only have 2 installs like that on our entire system.

 

[electrofelon]

Solid or stranded #2? View attachment 2574403
Usually see these or a lug on the end of stress cones. Homac pin terminal, gives a tin plated copper pin. Termination kit seals on the connector body keeping moisture from entering the cable through the conductor strands.

Bronze connectors aren't dual rated and are only rated for CU conductor.
The termination pin ppsh shows is the way to go
If it will allow the cable to remain straight.
If you're putting the cable on a cable stand or other holding apparatus I doubt even the 8" pins will work.

We train, mount and secure our cable first, then squeeze a piece of #2 solid to the pin with a H type copper crimp it, then run that #2 copper to the transformer bronze connector.
Now with that being said, we only have 2 installs like that on our entire system.

Thanks guys. Yeah I actually thought about using pin connectors last night. I like the Htap idea too, I have those and the dies for them. The secondary will need it too. I think that going to be 250 AL

@Hv&Lv, cutouts can take AL tho right? I was looking at some utility installs yesterday, and overhead to underground and it looks like the CN cable lands right on the cutout without adapting. Or is there a lug crimped on that makes the connection?

 

[Hv&Lv]

Thanks guys. Yeah I actually thought about using pin connectors last night. I like the Htap idea too, I have those and the dies for them. The secondary will need it too. I think that going to be 250 AL

@Hv&Lv, cutouts can take AL tho right? I was looking at some utility installs yesterday, and overhead to underground and it looks like the CN cable lands right on the cutout without adapting. Or is there a lug crimped on that makes the connection?

Although the cutout accepts aluminum per the manufacturer, we use the bi metal termination pin directly of again, mount cable and put copper in. I generally use #2 or 1/0 not for loads, but because of the wire stiffness to hold the termination straight.