Opinions on These?

[jmellc]

Worked on some lights with these type MC connector modules. Working for the moment but I don’t like these devices. I’ve seen them over the years but rarely ever worked with them. I think a better fix will be to cut these out & replace with a junction box. These have not been hit or subject to vibration. Makes me distrust them.
Opinions?

 

[ActionDave]

That looks like Relock. It's factory assembled and shipped. Very common for commercial lighting. It's fast and easy to install. Never had to do any service work on it.

 

[hillbilly1]

Yeah, looks like MWS or Cooper. Several brands out there. Been around at least thirty years. Biggest problem with them is the tiny pins used for the connections. A shorted fault, or connection that is not snapped in good will fry them. As @ActionDave said quite common in commercial for lighting, and some stores like Lowes uses it for power drops too. Somewhat easy to troubleshoot because you will see a black spot under the roof deck where it blows out. Comes in a multitude of voltage ratings. The first time I used it was in a grocery store, Winn Dixie if I remember correctly. Most big box stores use it.

 

[jmellc]

Thanks guys. I was pretty sure these were factory assembled. How easy is it to obtain & replace the modules? I’m still thinking a box would be easier.
It took 2 nights to get to the trouble spot. Last light in line was the only one I could get to with a scissor lift. Nothing obvious there. Had to locate a 1 man lift to get to the next 2. Getting to the culprit, I killed power& tried to open the connectors, no luck. Out of time, caned down &restored power. All lights came on. So, I had restored the connection I don’t think this will last long.

 

[Strathead]

Thanks guys. I was pretty sure these were factory assembled. How easy is it to obtain & replace the modules? I’m still thinking a box would be easier.
It took 2 nights to get to the trouble spot. Last light in line was the only one I could get to with a scissor lift. Nothing obvious there. Had to locate a 1 man lift to get to the next 2. Getting to the culprit, I killed power& tried to open the connectors, no luck. Out of time, caned down &restored power. All lights came on. So, I had restored the connection I don’t think this will last long.

They usually have to be shipped, but are usually available in many lengths and configurations. (number of ports, # of wires, switch legs etc.) A very handy system and reconfiguration is easy. They take a little thought but a lot less labor.

 

[jmellc]

They usually have to be shipped, but are usually available in many lengths and configurations. (number of ports, # of wires, switch legs etc.) A very handy system and reconfiguration is easy. They take a little thought but a lot less labor.

My thought is that I have to do this in the air on a one man lift with little to no space to maneuver and no spot for a “workbench” if wires have to be tamped in. Replacing a run of cable is impossible, having to pass over a lot of equipment.

 

[hillbilly1]

Thanks guys. I was pretty sure these were factory assembled. How easy is it to obtain & replace the modules? I’m still thinking a box would be easier.
It took 2 nights to get to the trouble spot. Last light in line was the only one I could get to with a scissor lift. Nothing obvious there. Had to locate a 1 man lift to get to the next 2. Getting to the culprit, I killed power& tried to open the connectors, no luck. Out of time, caned down &restored power. All lights came on. So, I had restored the connection I don’t think this will last long.

If it’s MWS, I think they are out of business. We usually just cut in a box to get the customer back up and running if it’s not easily available.

 

[jmellc]

Boss agreed with me & I swapped out to a box. He didn’t think we could get field replacements. Here are some pics. I didn’t find any arc burns but the connection was for sure being lost.

 

[Little Bill]

Boss agreed with me & I swapped out to a box. He didn’t think we could get field replacements. Here are some pics. I didn’t find any arc burns but the connection was for sure being lost.

Didn't find any arc burns? That first two pics shows the area around the connector slot/hole & pin melted! Sure sign of poor connection.

 

[jmellc]

Lo

Didn't find any arc burns? That first two pics shows the area around the connector slot/hole & pin melted! Sure sign of poor connection.

Looking again, you are right. I saw them as cracked. It was 4 in the morning when I took the pics.