Farmfly
Member
- Location
- North Carolina
- Occupation
- Electrician
What do you guys prefer to use on aluminum wire?split bolts or Polaris lugs? Sometimes I feel the aluminum flattens out too much with the Polaris lugs.
On this note, some of those Polaris style of connectors are not for fine stranded wires by themselves. They require an insert and properly torqued.Polaris are great for most splices except in motors. A great deal of my work is in mechanical rooms. I replace at least 4 to 5 motors a year due to loose connections at motors due to Polaris. I never see the same issues with split bolts and tape on peckerheads. I think it has to do with vibration and/or heating and cooling with different metals(Polaris is AL while almost all wire going to a motor is CU). I know two other local ECs that stopped using Polaris in motors for the same reason.
I’ve seen that done before, and the same thing applies to crimps, they need to be rated for the fine stranded wire. Found that out doing the DC bussing on cell towers, the fine strands would not fit easily in the standard crimp.When I worked as an industrial electrician to put myself through college, the SOP was to connect motors with crimped lugs that were bolted together. Then tape, etc.
I don't think you can make a generalized statement like this, it depends on the application.What do you guys prefer to use on aluminum wire?split bolts or Polaris lugs? Sometimes I feel the aluminum flattens out too much with the Polaris lugs.
The H taps have a wide range of conductor sizes.I don't think you can make a generalized statement like this, it depends on the application.
Unlike many electricians these days who thinks split bolts are passe, I still use them, they have their place. For example when space is tight, Polaris connectors just take up too much space sometimes. For example tapping on to the main feed in a load center.
For general splicing, I typically use the mechanical inline butt splices with rubber tape, as they are very cost-effective.
I also use H taps such as the Blackburn WR series. They are incredibly cost effective at only like $3.50 each .
Yeah that Blackburn WR series is nice, it's a seven connector program and you can do all of them with just the o and the d die. Largest size is 2x250 compacts.The H taps have a wide range of conductor sizes.
Never used them on fine stranded.
I've used some on fine stranded recently (maybe 2 years), ask me in 2048 how it worked out (if they fail after 25 years I'll probably be ok with it)The H taps have a wide range of conductor sizes.
Never used them on fine stranded.
I only buy the ones that are for 2-3 conductors. This is very common.I don't know how split bolts are even code compliant in a motor. Do you have special one manufactured for more than two conductors?
And just to be clear, I wasn't saying I use those h taps on fine stranded, not even sure if they are listed for that, I haven't investigated.I've used some on fine stranded recently (maybe 2 years), ask me in 2048 how it worked out (if they fail after 25 years I'll probably be ok with it)
Yes, but they also have wet location ones (i think they are usually grey in color? Or is it blue?).Most Polaris wire connectors are "dry location only"
I have never used a split bolt for anything other than temporary.Polaris are great for most splices except in motors. A great deal of my work is in mechanical rooms. I replace at least 4 to 5 motors a year due to loose connections at motors due to Polaris. I never see the same issues with split bolts and tape on peckerheads. I think it has to do with vibration and/or heating and cooling with different metals(Polaris is AL while almost all wire going to a motor is CU). I know two other local ECs that stopped using Polaris in motors for the same reason.