Splicing Rules

[United36]

We are replacing older rooftop ac equipment with newer smaller equipment. The existing conductor to the older equipment is a 4/0 and the new equipment can only take up to a #2. So we are looking at using a burndy compression fitting to reduce to the smaller wire size. I can't find any code related issues regarding this but reducing the wire size dramatically like this seems odd. The splice would be in a new junction box about 20 feet away from the new unit and this is a dedicated circuit. Does anyone know of any issues that would come of this or code issues to be aware of?

 

[masterinbama]

Does Burndy make a compression barrel splice that covers the range of conductors?

 

[Riograndeelectric]

what about using these terminal plugs? would save you from having to set a J box and splice.

 

[petersonra]

Does Burndy make a compression barrel splice that covers the range of conductors?

i don't know if Burndy does, but Panduit has a line of barrel type splices that have a very large range.

I have also been told that the greenlee crimping tool is UL listed for range taking on a variety of such devices without regard to how the connector itself is listed.

if nothing else you could do something like what you do to connect a motor up.

 

[United36]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

They do make a compression fitting with a Cu reducer adapter to go from 4/0 to #2. We thought about using the terminal plugs but the new equipment has a new disconnect location that is slightly longer than the existing circuit. I suppose I could splice the 4/0 to a 4/0 and then use the terminal plug.

 

[Glennsparky]

There's no problem with your original plan. It's done all the time for voltage drop considerations. As long as a replacement breaker is installed to match the ampacity of the new section, ampacity of the terminations, or the maximum overcurrent protection rating of the new unit. Whichever is less.