Insulation piercing connectors

[JoeNorm]

What are peoples thoughts on these devises? They can be very convenient for tapping live feeders but I question their long term reliability.

 

[infinity]

We use them but I tend to agree with you when I look at how they're constructed I wonder how good they actually are.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I know they are listed and the testing shows they work, but I will only use them for temporary work.

 

[tom baker]

I have seen them overheat. I have long used Isco tap connectors, they are a set screw type

 

[roger]

I only used them until a shutdown could be scheduled for when a better long term connection could be made.

Roger

 

[ptonsparky]

I’ve used them and they have been there for a long time with no problem that I am aware of. I think torquing was a problem until they came out with the snap off bolts.

 

[Hv&Lv]

We sometimes use them for metering wires on banks. If the wires aren’t secured with tape the wind blows the smaller wires back and forth until the wires either break off or disconnect.
inside an enclosure they have never been a problem.

 

[LarryFine]

I've used them a few times, with no issues that I've heard. One time, I had to update the wiring in an all-electric commercial kitchen in a grocery store. The entire kitchen panel was on a 400a 3ph shunt-trip main, so I used three of them to add a 60a 1ph panel for the exhaust fan, horn/strobe, etc., that need power after a system trip.

 

[Eddie702]

POCO in Connecticut used to mandate them at the weatherhead and they would give them to you. They changed their mind a few years later.

 

[electrofelon]

I admit I have only used them once or twice, but I have never really seen the point of them. I guess for temp stuff when you want "quick and dirty" and can reuse them. I know some people use them to make hot taps, but I still dont think that is an acceptable practice. I am sure they are rather pricey, and for the little bit of labor saved and perhaps not as reliable connection, I think Ill stick with a a traditional mechanical connector.

 

[junkhound]

Only ever used the small ones for lamp cord, like < 2'A.

Somewhere in the archives there is a photo someone posted of a 'tap' he found consisting of drywall screws and a lug crewed into 4/0 aluminum service.

 

[LarryFine]

I know some people use them to make hot taps, but I still dont think that is an acceptable practice.

It is, as long as there's no actual load on them during installation. That's exactly why I use them when I do.

I wouldn't use them under full-current condition, but for a tap for a proportionally small load, absolutely.

 

[ohmti787]

Is it true that these connectors need to be re-torque after three years of installation?

 

[LarryFine]

Is it true that these connectors need to be re-torque after three years of installation?

Uh-oh.

 

[Fred B]

Really the only time I've seen them used was on solar feed tap for reverse metering installed between meter and main breaker on the SE conductors.