Discovery of the day.... Polaris connection

[fastline]

Not really on a call but stopped at an industrial space and they just had a 480V compressor go down. Actually they didn't even know what voltage.... I figured it was a missing leg and it was, but.....you know, missing for a reason.

This took me all the way back to the main service chasing that missing leg. Nothing blown. Realized the issue was either in the Polaris connector or there is a leg missing on the utility xfmr. But I verified all 3 legs on another disconnect so that pushed me to that Polaris. I look down the pipe to see the morons had crimped down on the insulation. Actually found 2 that way.

I am curious if you guys see this commonly? I'm sort of wondering if this needs to be mentally logged as "do check this" as opposed to a wild one off. I have no idea if a real EC did that but wow. I mean, things happen, but I'm glad it didn't nuke the Polaris.

I have requested that 3 of those conductors on that circuit be pulled from the Polaris and redone. Also every single lug retorqued. I really don't want to increase safety risks like reterminating everything but it seems the right thing to do given the finding.

 

[electrofelon]

In general, i hate not being able to see the termination, to verify proper insertion, strip length, seating, etc. Some breakers are like that (usually tandems) where u cant see what you are doing. Im always real careful with those Polaris connectors and make marks. I like the ones that are clear.