Buchanan B2 Red

[Jimmy7]

I have been using the Buchanan B2 Red off and on for years. Have you ever used them? I was just recently told that they are not listed for stranded to solid connections. I was told that they are listed for solid to solid and solid, and stranded to stranded connections. Have you used them for solid to stranded connections? If so, has there ever been an issue? Do you think there ever will be? Is this just an issue that they never did the testing to have them listed for a solid to stranded connection?

 

[ptonsparky]

Well, I suspect there are a lot of improper connections then.

Have you looked at the installation instructions? That's the best way to sort fact from rumor.

(IDR if I ever looked, and can't tell you one way or the other.)

 

[Jimmy7]

Well, I suspect there are a lot of improper connections then.

Have you looked at the installation instructions? That's the best way to sort fact from rumor.

(IDR if I ever looked, and can't tell you one way or the other.)

Okay, I just found this. The instructions for BCap wirenuts specifically talk about solid to stranded connections. What do you think?

 

[Eddie702]

If it's listed then your good to go. I am skeptical about supply house chatter rumors.

 

[ptonsparky]

I think I would take that sheet to whoever made the suggestion and ask them for their opinion.
Politely, if it is a supervisor.

 

[infinity]

What do you think?

I've never seen a wirenut listed for only solid to solid connections and certainly these are not so listed so you're good to go.

 

[Buck Parrish]

I like them. I have used stranded to solid all the time without an issue. You just have to make sure the stranded is twisted and the tips line up.

 

[nizak]

Have used them in both scenarios many many times. Have never knowingly had a failure.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

The way I read this is that stranded and solid is allowed together

Combinations listed on this page are CU/CU Wire only. (Do not use on aluminum wire.) For use on solid and/or stranded wire combinations unless noted otherwise.

 

[Knightryder12]

Installation instruction #4 says, "Hold wires together with ends even. Lead stranded wires slightly ahead of solid wires."
Sounds like they are listed for that use to me.

 

[Besoeker3]

Good afternoon good people. Just of interest I wonder about the "Buchannan" reference. You guys, I assume it is the Red colour. For me it is a street in Glasgow. Just curious.........

 

[norcal]

Good afternoon good people. Just of interest I wonder about the "Buchannan" reference. You guys, I assume it is the Red colour. For me it is a street in Glasgow. Just curious.........

A manufacturers brand name, owned by Ideal, another connector manufacturer.

 

[infinity]

Back in the day when we exclusively used the old style 3M Scotchloks for solid conductors we would use the Red Buchanans for solid to stranded connections because the original Scotchloks weren't very good at connecting solid and stranded.

 

[Besoeker3]

A manufacturers brand name, owned by Ideal, another connector manufacturer.

But, originally it was from a wealthy tobacco lord:

"Buchanan Street was first feued in 1777 and named after a wealthy Tobacco Lord, plantation owner and former Lord Provost of Glasgow,"

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I only used buchanan wirenuts until my supplier stopped carrying them. I didn't like the winged wirenuts because they took up more space in the box.

At one time Buchanan was listing their product for copper to aluminum then all of a sudden they weren't listed for aluminum. I have many splices made with copper and aluminum and, afaik, they have never caused a problem.

 

[Jraef]

But, originally it was from a wealthy tobacco lord:

"Buchanan Street was first feued in 1777 and named after a wealthy Tobacco Lord, plantation owner and former Lord Provost of Glasgow,"

Buchanan Construction Products was the name of the company here, named for Stephen Buchanan, who invented the indent crimp tool for aviation connectors so that a visual inspection of the crimp could confirm that it was done properly. They went on to dominate the terminal block industry in the 70s, but refused to get on board the DIN rail train when it came to the US and lost their position. By the time Ideal bought them, they were a shadow of their former glory.

I had a family friend who owned the local Buchanan rep agency, where at one time he employed about 20 people making up terminal boxes for contractors up and down the west coast. I remember talking to him about these new Phoenix DIN rail terminal blocks in the late 70s that I was seeing coming into the oil refineries, he thought it was a fad…

 

[Besoeker3]

Buchanan Construction Products was the name of the company here, named for Stephen Buchanan, who invented the indent crimp tool for aviation connectors so that a visual inspection of the crimp could confirm that it was done properly. They went on to dominate the terminal block industry in the 70s, but refused to get on board the DIN rail train when it came to the US and lost their position. By the time Ideal bought them, they were a shadow of their former glory.

I had a family friend who owned the local Buchanan rep agency, where at one time he employed about 20 people making up terminal boxes for contractors up and down the west coast. I remember talking to him about these new Phoenix DIN rail terminal blocks in the late 70s that I was seeing coming into the oil refineries, he thought it was a fad…

Yes - I was interested on the original history.

 

[winnie]

Okay, I just found this. The instructions for BCap wirenuts specifically talk about solid to stranded connections. What do you think?

There are some very specific combinations listed, and interestingly some common combinations very clearly left out.

Take a look at the model 'B2' table. You can have 2-4 #12 stranded, or 2-5 #12 solid, but nowhere do they show mixing #12 solid or stranded. On the other hand, model 'B4' simply lists 2-5 #12 with no distinction for solid or stranded. It seems pretty clear you are not permitted to use a B2 to join solid to stranded #12.

I have to wonder why some combinations seem explicitly excluded; for the 'B2' you can have 1 #12 (solid or stranded) with 2 or 5 #14. But I don't think you are allowed to join 1 #12 to 4 #14!

I wonder if there is really a problem with some combinations, or if they simply were not tested.

-Jonathan

 

[ptonsparky]

Well, I probably did every combination imaginable to max of 5 12s and not very often on those. I could not coordinate that many .

 

[jim dungar]

Take a look at the model 'B2' table. You can have 2-4 #12 stranded, or 2-5 #12 solid, but nowhere do they show mixing #12 solid or stranded. On the other hand, model 'B4' simply lists 2-5 #12 with no distinction for solid or stranded. It seems pretty clear you are not permitted to use a B2 to join solid to stranded #12.

I don't read that at all
If you use B2 with any stranded conductors you may not have more than (4) #12, but if you use only solid conductors you can have (5) conductors. While B4 allow the same quantity of both.

Guess its time for someone to 'ask the manufacturer'.