Antioxidant Paste

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Ron Panunto

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Does the NEC require the use of an antioxidant when making connections involving aluminum conductors? If so, please cite the section and paragraph of the NEC that requires it.
 
Re: Antioxidant Paste

Here's the statement by UL,

Conductor Termination Compound ? Some connectors are shipped pre-filled with conductor termination compound (antioxidant compound). For non-prefilled connectors, conductor termination compound may be used if recommended by the connector manufacturer as preliminary preparation of the conductor. Wire brushing of the conductor may also be performed if recommended. Also see Conductor Termination Compounds (DVYW).
Click to expand...
 
Re: Antioxidant Paste

How do you get the wires to swallow the pills?

antioxidant_power.gif
 
Re: Antioxidant Paste

duh! hide them in a piece of candy
and I thought you were and electrican ! :roll:

[ February 07, 2006, 04:23 PM: Message edited by: augie47 ]
 
Re: Antioxidant Paste

Thanks for all of your replys guys, it's what I expected - that it's not required by the NEC. The reason I asked is that my electrician client is being sued because a 200A distribution panel that he installed 6 years ago failed and started a fire. The failure was at the 200A, 2-pole main CB which was completely destroyed. The expert hired by the homeowner's insurance company said that the failure was probably because the electrician had not applied antioxidant paste to the 4/0 aluminum service cable before he inserted the cable into the CB lugs. He said the antioxidant paste was required by the NEC, but damn if I could find it.
 
Re: Antioxidant Paste

According to UL486B, "the conductor is not to be brushed or abraded and an antioxidant is used only if the connector is pre-filled with the antioxidant".
 
Re: Antioxidant Paste

The anti-oxidant is required by the state of Minnesota. An electrical inspector told me it is their web page under Residential Electrical Inspection Checklist

"Listed anti-oxidant compound shall be used on all aluminum conductor terminations, unless information specifically states that it is not required."

He showed me a print out of the web page and asked me to use it. It was no big deal because the service was not hot yet. I told him that I was not aware of the rule but would use it from now on in his state.
 
Re: Antioxidant Paste

Our inspectors will flat out fail a service without anti oxide compound.But then again this is :roll: a back asswards make thier own rules today state.
 
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