Splices for underground

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enosez

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I'm little confused would like some help.

I have authorization from utility company to do a splice on 4/0 aluminum wire that is buried and feeding a double meter pan. Utility wants me to use a bullet splice with heat shrink tubing. I was looking to use Polaris submersible splice but the utility is stating that since this is the customer side of the service, they would feel more comfortable with their splice.

Am I wrong to think that a bullet splice with heat shrink is more susceptible to failure than the Polaris splice or an epoxy splice along the same lines.

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enosez said:
but the utility is stating that since this is the customer side of the service, they would feel more comfortable with their splice.

Am I wrong to think that a bullet splice with heat shrink is more susceptible to failure than the Polaris splice or an epoxy splice along the same lines.

Help
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If you mean the utility side of the service I would do what they want. If it's the customer side I am not sure why they would have any authority on this.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
If you mean the utility side of the service I would do what they want. If it's the customer side I am not sure why they would have any authority on this.
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Power company has always ruled on what they will connect to.I assume this will be unfused so the utility is at risk.
 
If this is going to be reburied a polaris would be a buried termination and no longer accessible. Maybe they want something irreversable and sealed??? Who's responsible for that lost neutral down the line? If it were me, it would be exothermicly welded, or resin sealed tight in a christy box.
 
What is a "bullet splice"? If it is a compression type splice I will take that over a mechanical splice every time. I also have no problem with heat shrink as long as it is of the correct type. That would be a heavy wall heat shrink tube with heat activated sealant. I also prefer heat shrink over epoxy filled splices.
Don
 
I dont like the idea of any splice that has no box.When it goes bad who fixes and like mentioned ,what if its the neutral.That is not just fix but but pay for damage.
 
Thanks for the replies guys,

I'm going to the supply house now and will see what me options are relative to whats on the shelf.

As I've never done a splice in service cable before I am looking for a way to go that is not only correct but to avoid the problems above.

FYI. The splice will be on the utility side of the meter, however, since its underground and on the homeowners property, it becomes the homeowners responsibilty as told by the utility.
 
enosez said:
I'm little confused would like some help.

I have authorization from utility company to do a splice on 4/0 aluminum wire that is buried and feeding a double meter pan. Utility wants me to use a bullet splice with heat shrink tubing. I was looking to use Polaris submersible splice but the utility is stating that since this is the customer side of the service, they would feel more comfortable with their splice.

Am I wrong to think that a bullet splice with heat shrink is more susceptible to failure than the Polaris splice or an epoxy splice along the same lines.

Help
Click to expand...

Splices for service conductors have to be listed for the purpose. Are those heat shrink splices listed for direct burial. I've seen that type of installation fail sooooo many times.....:-? :)
 
i have spliced undergrounds for 20 years crimp bullet splice and rubber tape followed by scotch88 will never fail i dig up heat shrink and cold shrink splices all the time they fail always. i just cant figure out how those varmits can eat all the insulation off of the wire. if you want a quick fix for bad underground just don't (pull oil lease) fuse install a 20 amp on the primary and slug your disco and let it burn it will dry up the mud around the bad spot removing the fault until the next power failure then stick the 3 amp fuse back in. (edited for people who would fall out of thier car if they didnt have seatbelts.)
 
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jethro,

What kind of advise is that?? Why would you tell a person to " just pull pco

fuses " , That is just wrong, this is a code forum, a place to go to find the

safe and proper way to do things. If a person did not know better that person

just might try your suggestion, please try and give safe advise in the future

for their sake.
 
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