split bolt connectors

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I agree, too. A common violation. For the most part now a days there are better connectors than split-bolts.
 
There are a few split bolts listed for use with 3 conductors, but they are rare. I don't think that there are any listed for use with more than 3 conductors.
 
electrofelon said:
I am surprised that despite all the funny ridiculous pictures I have seen on this forum over the years, I dont recall ever seeing one of a big split bolt with like 19 number 12's in it......
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There was one earlier this year with all the branch wiring grounds twisted together under a split bolt.

3/0 has like 19 #10 conductors, so a split bolt that can accommodate that size could do 19 #12s, right? :D
 
peter d said:
They also sell shallow handy boxes, it doesn't mean I should use them. ;)
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I just bought a shallow box (flush type) recently and have a specific place I intend to use it. It will however get a Wiremold extension added to it to get the volume needed to assemble the device going into it, let alone meet box fill requirements. There is room to fish cables to the box but not enough room for more then about 1-1/2" deep box.
 
solit bolt

solit bolt

I have put more than two wires in a split bolt many times in the past. I would think most of the members of this forum has also. with the new connectors it is a waist of time to use split bolts. and not to code.
 
domnic said:
... with the new connectors it is a waist of time to use split bolts. and not to code.
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Where does it say in the NEC split bolts are banned? I agree with Peter d and the others about them being antiquated and supplanted by modern connectors, but they are still listed- if the listing is followed and the thing is taped correctly-110.14 (B), then they are perfectly legal.

You can even still legally per the code solder and tape a joint- you would be nuts to do that vs. using a wire nut imo, but you can do still do it.
 
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jumper said:
Where did Dominic say they are banned. He merely said that more than 2 wires in one split bolt is not to code, which is true most of the time.
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He didn't- I misunderstood him to say they were but after rereading his post, he means that why would someone use the SB for more than 2 conductors (non compliant m.o.t.t as pointed out), when they could use something faster and to code w/ multiple wires.

Sorry dominic.:)
 
domnic said:
I have put more than two wires in a split bolt many times in the past. I would think most of the members of this forum has also. with the new connectors it is a waist of time to use split bolts. and not to code.
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Split bolts in general, are to code, provided that they are used per their manufacturer's instructions. Used for joining two wires, unless listed and marked otherwise for more. And that they are wrapped in the proper combination of insulating methods, which is not just standard electrical tape.
 
Carultch said:
And that they are wrapped in the proper combination of insulating methods, which is not just standard electrical tape.
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Says who? Got any back up for that statement?

Code just says:

110.14(B)

......All splices and joints and the free ends of conduc-
tors shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to that of
the conductors or with an identified insulating device.
 
electrofelon said:
I am surprised that despite all the funny ridiculous pictures I have seen on this forum over the years, I dont recall ever seeing one of a big split bolt with like 19 number 12's in it......
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Tearing apart a 480V service with a number of transformers, MDPs and sub-panels around the building. I've found several split-bolt connectors with 4 3/0 conductors, or even worse mixed size conductors with 3-5 in a single split-bolt.

Didn't investigate enough to see if they were listed for more than two. Maybe I'll pull one of them out and check it out.
 
peter d said:
Why are you still using a split bolt in 2016? :huh:
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I don't use them for splicing/connecting conductors but I still have a use for them.

I do a lot of pools and hot tubs and they are perfect for using on the #8 bond wire that circles the pool. Also easy to jump off the main run to equipment, just split bolt the jumper and keep going.

I wouldn't want to use an expensive Polaris splice/lug for that.
 
One nice feature of split bolts is that even though you are limited to 2 wires, you are not limited to being on the _ends_ of those wires.

The idea of tapping in post #19 is a perfect example of this; you have one conductor with insulation removed in the middle, spliced to a second conductor at its end. With a polaris type connector you would need three ports.

There are 'modern' lay-in connectors, but split bolts seem good for this sort of application.

-Jon
 
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