200A feeder tapped to multiple panels

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jaggedben said:
I don't agree that the polaris block is an uninsulated connection
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You may not agree but it's a fact.

It's not actually insulated until tape or some other type of insulating material is added on the side that the conductor enters.

JAP>
 
petersonra said:
I don't think so. Those blocks can accept a wide range of conductors. sometimes down to #10 or so. There is always going to be some space where if you really tried you could get to the hot stuff.

In any case, there is nothing wrong with taping over the exposed metal conductor. It is a perfectly acceptable way of insulating the end of the conductor. It is maybe not as attractive as some other method but that does not mean it is unacceptable.

I don't think the block is the wrong sized block either. i think someone just stripped off too much insulation.
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Agreed.

JAP>
 
petersonra said:
I don't think so. Those blocks can accept a wide range of conductors. sometimes down to #10 or so. There is always going to be some space where if you really tried you could get to the hot stuff.

In any case, there is nothing wrong with taping over the exposed metal conductor. It is a perfectly acceptable way of insulating the end of the conductor. It is maybe not as attractive as some other method but that does not mean it is unacceptable.

I don't think the block is the wrong sized block either. i think someone just stripped off too much insulation.
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I was referring to the photo. The photo does not show an uninsulated connection in so far as what it shows us. Tape can be listed. The photo does show poor workmanship.

The guy who posted the pic stated that the blocks were only for 500-#4. That was his whole problem with it. Just taking his word for it on the specs, can't read the label in that photo resolution. But also the ports don't look big enough to me for the 750 kcmil insulation. Hence a listing violation.

I see your point about smaller conductors leaving terminals a wee bit more exposed, but yeah, put some more tape on it.
 
As for the part about the 750 kcm conductors being stuffed into a connector only rated for 500 kcm, I wonder how he got them in the port. The ones we have used you would be hard pressed to do that.
 
Yup, the Polaris blocks have a white label on them that clearly says 500 KCMIL max. So I assume they snipped some wires off to jam the 750s inside.
If correctly sized, I agree the Polaris would be completely insulated, but some on this one some of the terminal blanks had fallen out so if you happened to grab a block and your finger went up a hole you'd be touching 480V. It is in an electrical room but there could certainly be non-electricians walking around. I think some tape around the splice block would help out in this easily-reached location.
 
greenspark1 said:
Yup, the Polaris blocks have a white label on them that clearly says 500 KCMIL max. So I assume they snipped some wires off to jam the 750s inside.
If correctly sized, I agree the Polaris would be completely insulated, but some on this one some of the terminal blanks had fallen out so if you happened to grab a block and your finger went up a hole you'd be touching 480V. It is in an electrical room but there could certainly be non-electricians walking around. I think some tape around the splice block would help out in this easily-reached location.
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So the smart ones who trim the 750's to get them to fit in a 500 mcm lug are less likely to get shocked than the less knowledgeable "Non Electricians" who would probably not want to get close to it in the first place?

Now there's a contradiction in terms. :D

JAP>
 
jaggedben said:
I don't know if it's 'odd'. What's your point, exactly?
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Point is, seems odd to me that for an "insulated connection" as most are calling it , that you have to use extra tape to make it such.

JAP>
 
jaggedben said:
In my experience that depends on the brand and part number. Some of them come off way too easy.
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Polaris usually pop off too easy, Burndy are the ones that sometimes are hard to get off. Ilsco has a "star" cut into the insulating cover and pushes out of the way when inserting the conductor, or the hex wrench to tighten the lugs.
 
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