Parking lot Lighting Taps

[champion]

I would like ask Mike Holt members a question regarding Parking Lot Taps.
This is the scenario:
I have one conduit that runs underground from the building lighting panel of a small commercial building to the parking lot that feeds four 16foot high lighting poles. The conduit runs directly to the first pole up through the pier under the light pole base. From this base runs another conduit to the next pier and so on for all four piers. The last pole has only one conduit up through the pier.
The voltage is 208v 3ph and the quantity of circuits is two for a total of six number 6 gauge cables + eqpt ground.
The first ckt powers the first two poles and the second circuit powers the remaining two.
Each pole has four 1000watt fixtures mounted at the top.
Since one of the ckts feeds pole 1 and 2, the no.6 gauge cable will have to be spliced at the base of the first pole to continue the ckt to the second pole. Each 1000w fixture will connect to these no. 6 gauge leads with 10 gauge cable running up the 16foot pole.
Some of these splices will require the connection of two no. 6, and 3 no. 10 together.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SPLICE THESE TOGETHER THAT IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE NEC?
SOLDER OR CRIMP?
I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND ANY WIRE NUT LARGE ENOUGH TO HANDLE THIS SPLICE SCENARIO.
DO THEY MAKE A WIRE NUT TO HANDLE THIS WIRE COMBO?
The no. 6 and 10 gauge cables are sticking through the hand hole at the base of each light pole for connection.
Per the manufacturer of the lighting poles, each pole is capable of 7 no. 6 gauge cables.
Thank you in advance for input.

Jim

 

[electricman2]

Re: Parking lot Lighting Taps

Split bolts are available to handle this but you might want to take a look Here for another option.

 

[bphgravity]

Re: Parking lot Lighting Taps

Split-Bolts and tape.

 

[jimwalker]

Re: Parking lot Lighting Taps

Big blue ones should work but check box for the limits

 

[charlie]

Re: Parking lot Lighting Taps

We use a lot of Ilsco blocks with insulating covers that are a lot like John has with his link. We like the ability to disconnect one circuit and leave the rest undisturbed. We leave plenty of slack so that the entire phase and connection block may be pulled out of the handhole for maintenance. Interesting, it sounds like I do the work instead of driving a desk.

 

[petersonra]

Re: Parking lot Lighting Taps

solder is a bad idea. makes for mediocre connections. plenty of options out there such as other posters suggested. you could even install a small terminal block at the base inside the pole.

 

[luke warmwater]

Re: Parking lot Lighting Taps

We use Polaris taps, as in Johns link.
I've used the Ilsco's in the past, but my supplier doesn't carry them.

I personally do not recommend wire nuts in light pole bases. Even on 2 or 3 wires.

For some reason, it seems like they always get loose over time and the wire nut melts off and then it shorts out against the pole base, and then you have to go find it.
We also install in-line fuses in the hand-holes.