Insulation piercing connector guidance needed

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jumper said:
Not to trying to be sarcastic but what do you think anyone here is going to reply to such?

We cannot say “sure, go ahead” and possibly get you killed.
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Just looking for some honesty. I suspect many people who install these do it hot as it saves having to pull the meter. I always prefer to turn off power before working, but I'm concerned I will be at a competitive disadvantage against contractors who work these hot. I just want to know where I stand.

(P.S. When I logged back on to see replies, I said to myself "let me see how much abuse I am getting." :))
 
If I may respond...

I have used them when no other solution was viable. They can be installed hot but with no load on the tap. The bolts are isolated from the jaws.

Are they safe? I'm still here.
 
Coppersmith said:
Just looking for some honesty. I suspect many people who install these do it hot as it saves having to pull the meter. I always prefer to turn off power before working, but I'm concerned I will be at a competitive disadvantage against contractors who work these hot. I just want to know where I stand.

(P.S. When I logged back on to see replies, I said to myself "let me see how much abuse I am getting." :))
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Why not just pull the meter? Seems that if you are doing a solar system, the utility knows work is going on, and probably will change out the meter anyway.. What's the worst case, you get scolded by the utility?
 
electrofelon said:
Why not just pull the meter? Seems that if you are doing a solar system, the utility knows work is going on, and probably will change out the meter anyway.. What's the worst case, you get scolded by the utility?
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Or get fined, or have your inspection failed, or get removed from their list of approved contractors. Some utilities get very bent out of shape if you cut their tags.
 
If you plan ahead you can get any utility to temporarily disconnect power, whether by pulling the meter or otherwise in the case of CT meters.

I think the harder issue to deal with is when the customer does not want a disruption of power.
 
electrofelon said:
Why not just pull the meter? Seems that if you are doing a solar system, the utility knows work is going on, and probably will change out the meter anyway.. What's the worst case, you get scolded by the utility?
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ggunn said:
Or get fined, or have your inspection failed, or get removed from their list of approved contractors. Some utilities get very bent out of shape if you cut their tags.
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electrofelon said:
I'm not saying there are no utilities where that happens, but in my experience, those policies are never enforced
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Everytime I do a panel change I pull the meter. None of the POCOs or inspectors have yelled at me yet. However it's not something I like doing due to inherent risk of fooling around with an unprotected feed. I always suit up in full arc flash gear to pull and reinsert the meter. Since it adds time to the job, I was wondering if there was a way to avoid it. I'm pretty sure my competitors are avoiding it.
 
jaggedben said:
If you plan ahead you can get any utility to temporarily disconnect power
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The POCO I deal with most often only does shutdowns Tues, Weds, and Thurs. They claim they will show up by 8am but it usually ends up being 10am. And if I don't call them by 3:30pm, they won't turn it back on that day. All of this adds up to a big inconvenience for doing a one day panel job.
 
Pulling a meter is not zero risk, but imo less than tapping into live conductors. Another option, if you are comfortable with it is to pull the cutout with a hot stick. There are some members on here that have and use one on occasions.
 
electrofelon said:
I'm not saying there are no utilities where that happens, but in my experience, those policies are never enforced
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My experience differs. Austin Energy, CPS (San Antonio), and some of the smaller AHJ's do enforce their policy regarding cut meter tags, and some of them make a big deal of it.
 
Coppersmith said:
Everytime I do a panel change I pull the meter. None of the POCOs or inspectors have yelled at me yet. However it's not something I like doing due to inherent risk of fooling around with an unprotected feed. I always suit up in full arc flash gear to pull and reinsert the meter. Since it adds time to the job, I was wondering if there was a way to avoid it. I'm pretty sure my competitors are avoiding it.
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A panel change is, of course, a whole 'nother matter.
 
Coppersmith said:
I've been asked to do a job installing a supply side tap for a PV system. The spec calls for using the product below or similar:

https://commerce.ilsco.com/e2wShoppingCatalog.aspx?parentId=3100012894&parentLink=2100001183

I've never installed one of these. Can it be installed hot? Is it safe to do so? Is the bolt insulated from the wire?
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I’ve used them in the past. I’m alive, but rules change. Sole proprietor? Go for it. An employer to an employee? Probably not.
 
electrofelon said:
Why not just pull the meter? Seems that if you are doing a solar system, the utility knows work is going on, and probably will change out the meter anyway.. What's the worst case, you get scolded by the utility?
Click to expand...

The jaws come tumbling out of the can. That's the worst that can happen.
 
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