Polaris connectors

[guschash]

Does anyone know if Polaris connectors are allowed at weather head in Colorado.

 

[ActionDave]

I don't know if they are allowed but I do know from personal experience that the insulation breaks down in the sun and I would not use them for this application.

 

[meternerd]

If it's a service, the utility usually connects to the weatherhead with insulinks or one or two bolt clamps. I've never seen Polaris connectors on a service.

 

[electrofelon]

Are they rated for wet locations? Do they need to be?

 

[meternerd]

Not sure about Colorado, but I've never seen 'em used on a service. Utilities usually connect to the weatherhead using Insulinks or one or two bolt side-by-side clamps. We even did away with Insulinks because they can fill with water and corrode inside, but look fine on a visual inspection. Made for more difficult troubleshooting of voltage complaints. Likely Polaris would do the same.

 

[kwired]

Not sure about Colorado, but I've never seen 'em used on a service. Utilities usually connect to the weatherhead using Insulinks or one or two bolt side-by-side clamps. We even did away with Insulinks because they can fill with water and corrode inside, but look fine on a visual inspection. Made for more difficult troubleshooting of voltage complaints. Likely Polaris would do the same.

Some POCO's here use a terminal bar type connector (usually when there is parallel conductors to connect) and have a insulating cover that goes over them. They are similar concept in many ways to Polaris connectors. They arrange them so conductors enter from the bottom and water can drain from bottom as well with this arrangement.

 

[JFletcher]

I've never seen Polaris connectors on a service.

Neither have I. That tells me it's either against code or there are much better products for that connection... probably the latter.

I seem to recall a method of braiding the neutrals together so they do not require a connector?

 

[kwired]

Neither have I. That tells me it's either against code or there are much better products for that connection... Probably the latter

For the 200 amp and under service drops - most just use parallel groove (H-tap) connectors or insulinks. Only a buck or so a piece vs $15-$50 for a polaris connector. Crimping tool isn't cheap, but not like they are a one shot item, and they use them for a lot of things.

 

[jaggedben]

Around here people use Polaris for a 'temporary reconnection' which the utility is supposed to remove when they come out and do a 'permanent connection' after a service change. A lot of times the latter is never done. Not saying it's right, just that I've seen it more than a few times.

 

[growler]

Around here people use Polaris for a 'temporary reconnection' which the utility is supposed to remove when they come out and do a 'permanent connection' after a service change. A lot of times the latter is never done. Not saying it's right, just that I've seen it more than a few times.

You would think the power companies would know that you are going to temp a service after a service change and when it gets called in they need to make it permanent but we see the same thing here from time to time.