Split bolts on feeders

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chorty55

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Are split bolts on service feeders inside a main service panel allowed?

Someone added extensions, honestly its a good job, there's so much tape its nice and round, but just curious if split bolt connections were ever allowed on service feeders inside the main panel out to the poco meter.


Thanks.
 
Thanks.

Yeah, I just bought the house, and decided to look at the main and sub panel out of curiosity, and noticed the extensions. Just checking. Thanks.
 
No
chorty55 said:
Are split bolts on service feeders inside a main service panel allowed?

Someone added extensions, honestly its a good job, there's so much tape its nice and round, but just curious if split bolt connections were ever allowed on service feeders inside the main panel out to the poco meter.


Thanks.
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Not if they are extending the service conductors. Starting in 2020, taps on service conductors to meet requirements of 230.46.
If they are actually feeders you are ok.
 
It is service conductors, not feeders to a sub panel. And your concern is exactly the reason I asked. I'm not taking the tape off to investigate.

2020 Code Language:

230.46 Spliced and Tapped Conductors. Service-entrance conductors shall be permitted to be spliced or tapped in accordance with 110.14, 300.5(E), 300.13, and 300.15. Power distribution blocks, pressure connectors, and devices for splices and taps shall be listed. Power distribution blocks installed on service conductors shall be marked “suitable for use on the line side of the service equipment” or equivalent.

Effective January 1, 2023, pressure connectors and devices for splices and taps installed on service conductors shall be marked “suitable for use on the line side of the service equipment” or equivalent.
 
chorty55 said:
It is service conductors, not feeders to a sub panel. And your concern is exactly the reason I asked. I'm not taking the tape off to investigate.

2020 Code Language:

230.46 Spliced and Tapped Conductors. Service-entrance conductors shall be permitted to be spliced or tapped in accordance with 110.14, 300.5(E), 300.13, and 300.15. Power distribution blocks, pressure connectors, and devices for splices and taps shall be listed. Power distribution blocks installed on service conductors shall be marked “suitable for use on the line side of the service equipment” or equivalent.

Effective January 1, 2023, pressure connectors and devices for splices and taps installed on service conductors shall be marked “suitable for use on the line side of the service equipment” or equivalent.
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And that code rule is one of the dumbest things that come out of the CMP's in a while. IT has no basis on any history of problems or any science or logic for that matter. Personally I will be ignoring that rule.
 
True. Glad there's other electricians that think some of NEC was written by a cross-eyed monkey.


I just stumbled upon a late 60s house with mbwc in the entire kitchen, and installing gfci for new code is going to not fully utilize the split. Oh well. Wire nut and cap, unless they make a gfci to honor both hots on a shared neutral.

I did stagger, 2 on one phase, 3 on the other, best I can do really.
 
chorty55 said:
True. Glad there's other electricians that think some of NEC was written by a cross-eyed monkey.


I just stumbled upon a late 60s house with mbwc in the entire kitchen, and installing gfci for new code is going to not fully utilize the split. Oh well. Wire nut and cap, unless they make a gfci to honor both hots on a shared neutral.

I did stagger, 2 on one phase, 3 on the other, best I can do really.
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Two pole GFCI breakers do that, but you probably also need AFCI protection and I don't think there are two pole AFCIs.
 
mtnelect said:
I commend you for your voluntary confession, it's good for the sole !
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I can imagine how the meeting with St Peter will go. He'll sot me down and open up his ledger:

So I see you violated some NFPA 70 rules.

Yes. Will that be a problem?

Oh hell no, we already sent all the CMP's down below for the AFCI debacle. I wouldn't follow most of the rules in the publication either. God outlawed that document up here decades ago.
 
electrofelon said:
And that code rule is one of the dumbest things that come out of the CMP's in a while. IT has no basis on any history of problems or any science or logic for that matter. Personally I will be ignoring that rule.
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But I am certain that you know that there are times that you wouldn't be able to get away with ignoring it. In the early days of that rule, before Polaris et al were catching up with it, around here there were AHJs that enforced it and AHJs that did not. Where it was being enforced we pretty much stopped doing supply side interconnections for resi PV systems.
 
ggunn said:
But I am certain that you know that there are times that you wouldn't be able to get away with ignoring it. In the early days of that rule, before Polaris et al were catching up with it, around here there were AHJs that enforced it and AHJs that did not. Where it was being enforced we pretty much stopped doing supply side interconnections for resi PV systems.
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chorty55 said:
True. Glad there's other electricians that think some of NEC was written by a cross-eyed monkey.


I just stumbled upon a late 60s house with mbwc in the entire kitchen, and installing gfci for new code is going to not fully utilize the split. Oh well. Wire nut and cap, unless they make a gfci to honor both hots on a shared neutral.

I did stagger, 2 on one phase, 3 on the other, best I can do really.
Click to expand...
My go-to brand makes double pole AFCIs and GFCIs but if they didn't make a double pole dual function breaker couldn't you just use a double pole AFCI and put GFCI receps in.
 
Its just small outlet updates and such. No inspection. But I said there will be gf protection when I leave. They didn't want use stairs to basement to reset circuits, nor the expense. So explained the sacrifices, and said go for it it.

Double pole gfci QOs burn holes in the wallet quick.
 
Split bolts are not recommended for service feeders inside the main panel. Compression connectors or mechanical lugs are preferred for a more reliable connection. Electrical tape, even if well done, isn't a permanent solution. Check local codes or consult an electrician for proper installation.
 
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