Alternative to cadweld

[ishium 80439]

Are there any? Had a GC call me to connect a GEC to a piece of building steel. Apparently the wire was run but not connected. He needed it connected but had some issues w/ cadwelding ie the amount of smoke it generates (tenant space in a larger building).

No I did not get any details on why he contacted me after someone else had run the wire but I am interested to see if anyone knows of any alternative to cadwelding to make this connection.

 

[ohmhead]

Are there any? Had a GC call me to connect a GEC to a piece of building steel. Apparently the wire was run but not connected. He needed it connected but had some issues w/ cadwelding ie the amount of smoke it generates (tenant space in a larger building).

No I did not get any details on why he contacted me after someone else had run the wire but I am interested to see if anyone knows of any alternative to cadwelding to make this connection.

Well they make smokeless cad molds we have these at work you dont get any smoke out of mold! i think Erico now owns the cadweld company now and iam not sure if they sell these anymore we only used these on special work indoors.ill check it out ? take care

 

[charlietuna]

No doubt the GC is trying to find someone who has the cadweld mold - "cable to steel" -- they ain't cheap! I don't see where the smoke would be that much of an issue if done after hours with the Fire Alarm bypassed until the air cleared...

 

[iwire]

There is no NEC requirement to use a cadweld for this connection.

You could use a grounding clamp if there is a flange on the steel. (Thomas and Betts has high quality ones)

You can drill the steel and tap it for a bolt(s) to hold a lug on

You can drill the steel and use a nut and bolt if both sides are accessible to hold a lug on.

 

[KevinVost]

There is no NEC requirement to use a cadweld for this connection.

You could use a grounding clamp if there is a flange on the steel. (Thomas and Betts has high quality ones)

You can drill the steel and tap it for a bolt(s) to hold a lug on

You can drill the steel and use a nut and bolt if both sides are accessible to hold a lug on.

In addition, if you do use a clamp or lug it must be accessible, 250.68.

 

[charlie k.]

We Cadweld in finished and occupied all the time. One method was the smokeless molds mentioned. Another way is to use a smoke eater. These are used by welders in finished areas. I have borrowed one from the pipe fitter.


Charlie

 

[charlietuna]

We have had three or four jobs requiring cadwelding to the steel structure, airport lightning protection and a cat scan unit that i can remember--many of these areas get poured into a concrete slab where mechanical means are not acceptable.

 

[ishium 80439]

I found out a bit more about this. The cadweld is being required by the company occupying the space. It is a punch list item that has been outstanding for a while now. The original EC doesn't want to do it because he has already been paid for the job.

 

[masterinbama]

We use the smokeless when possible. If not we use a HEPA rated shopvac it will get most of the smoke but not the smell. We tent the area of much the same as you would for asbestos abatement.

 

[growler]

The original EC doesn't want to do it because he has already been paid for the job.

If this ground was part of his original scope of work it doesn't matter because it can still be written up as a code violation against the contractor.

Many contractors think that if they can just get away from the job with a check in their hands that they are in the clear but that's not true.

 

[ishium 80439]

That's true but for what ever reason it is apparently easier for the GC to pay me to do it rather than hound the other guy. I don't mind really. It is a large GC that I just did a little TI for and if I can do this as a good will gesture and they are willing to pay me for it than who am I to complain?

 

[bradleyelectric]

It's not a code violation if it is bolted. The tenant may be requesting cadweld as an extra that the original installer doesn't want to deal with.

 

[A-F-E]

Other than doing an exothermic weld theirs always the possibility of a compression connector with proper crimping tool. But as far as using an exothermic weld just buy a one shot including mold last time I priced they were around $15. ea. Much cheaper than buying a $75. Mold and wads