Splice and termination definition?

[gittarzann]

Splice versus termination.

I am using Al XHHW wire for a lighting circuit. The conduits are partially PVC and partially rigid conduit. I am pulling a properly sized Al grounding conductor in all PVC pipes and need to ground the rigid conduits via grounding bushings.

NEC states Al can only be terminated 18" above earth or higher.

I would like to use an appropriate compression splice to connect a solid piece of copper to the aluminum sealed with scotchkote and heavy wall heat shrink tubing to connect to the ground bushing terminal.

Is this allowable?

TIA!

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I would think if you have a water tite splice then I do not see a problem

 

[gittarzann]

My thoughts as well.

Thank you !

 

[Dennis Alwon]

My thoughts as well.

Thank you !

We certainly can splice underground aluminum cable so why not. A termination is different from a splice in my opinion so you should be good.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

...NEC states Al can only be terminated 18" above earth or higher. ...

Can you cite a code section for that?

 

[gittarzann]

Can you cite a code section for that?

250.120 (B)

 

[iwire]

It looks like you cannot splice the EGC below ground.

250.120 Equipment Grounding Conductor Installation.
An equipment grounding conductor shall be installed in
accordance with 250.120(A), (B), and (C).

(B) Aluminum and Copper-Clad Aluminum Conductors.
Equipment grounding conductors of bare or insulated aluminum
or copper-clad aluminum shall be permitted. Bare
conductors shall not come in direct contact with masonry or
the earth or where subject to corrosive conditions. Aluminum
or copper-clad aluminum conductors shall not be terminated
within 450 mm (18 in.) of the earth

IMO a termination and splice are interchangeable here.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

250.120 (B)

I forgot about that one. I could only think of 250.64(A).

 

[iwire]

I forgot about that one. I could only think of 250.64(A).

I assumed 250.64 as well, truthfully I don't think I had noticed or heard of 250.120(B) before.

 

[gittarzann]

I interpret the word "termination" as an exposed mechanical connection.

 

[iwire]

I interpret the word "termination" as an exposed mechanical connection.

I interpret it as the end of a conductor, but what I think and what you think matters much less than what your inspector thinks.

The problem is the NEC does not define either splice or termination and uses each term differently

For instance here

328.14 Installation. Type MV cable shall be installed, terminated,
and tested by qualified persons.

Would you interpret that as unqualified people can splice MV cable?

On the other hand if we look at 110.14(A) and (B) (and many other areas) we see they treat them separately.

Good luck.

 

[gittarzann]

Good point.

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it.

The thing is, I am basically the inspector on the job.


The purpose of this install is I am trying to deter wire theft. When I install Al conductors and cu ground, I get the whole length pulled out.The Al will be wadded up left on the side and the cu is gone. My thought and hope is making the entire run Al, maybe the thieves will move on!?!

 

[ActionDave]

It looks like you cannot splice the EGC below ground.

This is interesting. So if a direct bury feeder is damaged I cannot repair the EGC?