extending SE conductors with mechanical connectors

[Cleveland Apprentice]

Another electrician told me it's ok to use mechanical connectors to extend SE conductors. He said this should pass inspection. I prefer and will probably use compression barrels. Just curious if anyone else would use mechanical connectors and if it's legal.

I am changing out an electrical panel in a residence and the SE conductors are couple inches short of terminating on main breaker. Breaker is 100 amp and using #2 cu. Thanks.

 

[kwired]

How does this differ from running the cable into a splice box and then to the main panel, other than the panel is the splice box in this case?

 

[augie47]

230.46

 

[Cleveland Apprentice]

How does this differ from running the cable into a splice box and then to the main panel, other than the panel is the splice box in this case?

I was just under the impression that the possibility of mechanical connectors loosening up over time and no ocp. Just wondering if anyone else would use mechanical connectors. Thanks

 

[iwire]

I was just under the impression that the possibility of mechanical connectors loosening up over time and no ocp. Just wondering if anyone else would use mechanical connectors. Thanks

Of course I would, in a heartbeat.

I don't see what the lack OCP has to do with it at all.

 

[Chamuit]

Did it yesterday with AL conductors and passed as well. Extended inside the cabinet. The mechanical connectors that is.

 

[squaredan]

I was just under the impression that the possibility of mechanical connectors loosening up over time and no ocp. Just wondering if anyone else would use mechanical connectors. Thanks

What about a meter box...mechanical connectors, no ocp..

 

[cowboyjwc]

As long as you mean inside the panel, I see no problem.

 

[Cleveland Apprentice]

Thanks for all responses. I was also assuming if poco always uses compression barrels on their connections off the weather head then they should be used on entire SE conductors.

 

[stew]

One potential drawback to mechanical splices in larger conductors is that if you manipulate the splice too much after it is made up the wire has a tendency to loosen in the barrel. I always make sure to bend my conductors and get them as close as possible to a final position before I make a final tightening of the ball points.Then try not to move the whole mess too much after that.Just a caution but I also would use ball point splices in a heartbet if needed. If its just a short section of meter to main connections I usually just replace the hots. Sometimes the neutral is just bared in the section that is in the meter an runs as one continious wire and in that case I just leave it and splice in the panel.