Swimming pool light circuit trouble

[mike1061]

Just in case a picture of the burnt splice helps anything

 

[mike1061]

@mike1061,

I meant the transformer's internal protection you spoke of in an earlier post. I assumed it's on the primary winding side. Your second photo verified it is.

.

Thanks again. I never thought about how that worked. In my mind that was on the secondary side. If you think about it, it should be on the primary.

 

[synchro]

The secondary conductors look like #8 in 3/4” EMT, with insulation that is thick and feels like TW.?

This is just a shot in the dark, but is the wire more finely stranded than common building wire that has 19 strands? If so then normal wirenuts are not an approved connection, and perhaps they may not work as well with fine stranding.

I think finely stranded wire is more prone to corrosion issues outdoors because it can more easily wick up moisture, it has more surface area etc. It's also more difficult to clean off any corrosion on fine strands.

Just throwing this out there as something that might be related to the connection problems that are occuring.

 

[mike1061]

This is just a shot in the dark, but is the wire more finely stranded than common building wire that has 19 strands? If so then normal wirenuts are not an approved connection, and perhaps they may not work as well with fine stranding.

I think finely stranded wire is more prone to corrosion issues outdoors because it can more easily wick up moisture, it has more surface area etc. It's also more difficult to clean off any corrosion on fine strands.

Just throwing this out there as something that might be related to the connection problems that are occuring.

I appreciate the thought but it looks like standard strands.
Thanks

 

[Metallicbeing]

If your splices are burning up, then you have too much resistance at your spices (Resistance leads to heating). Wirenuts may not be an appropriate splicing method in this case. Because of the corrosive nature of the area, I would suggest one of these:

Polaris 4-14 AWG Bagged Insulated Tap Connector, Black IT-4B - The Home Depot

Ensure a permanent connection in your boat with Polaris 4/0-Bagged Insulated Tap Connector Black

www.homedepot.com

Don't forget to use some Dielectric Compound to seal out moisture.

 

[ptonsparky]

Ideal & Dryconn both make weather or water proof connectors. They might be a good choice if you are getting some corrosive vapors

 

[mike1061]

If your splices are burning up, then you have too much resistance at your spices (Resistance leads to heating). Wirenuts may not be an appropriate splicing method in this case. Because of the corrosive nature of the area, I would suggest one of these:

Polaris 4-14 AWG Bagged Insulated Tap Connector, Black IT-4B - The Home Depot

Ensure a permanent connection in your boat with Polaris 4/0-Bagged Insulated Tap Connector Black

www.homedepot.com

Don't forget to use some Dielectric Compound to seal out moisture.

Thanks.

 

[mike1061]

Ideal & Dryconn both make weather or water proof connectors. They might be a good choice if you are getting some corrosive vapors

Thank you too

 

[Little Bill]

If your splices are burning up, then you have too much resistance at your spices (Resistance leads to heating). Wirenuts may not be an appropriate splicing method in this case. Because of the corrosive nature of the area, I would suggest one of these:

Polaris 4-14 AWG Bagged Insulated Tap Connector, Black IT-4B - The Home Depot

Ensure a permanent connection in your boat with Polaris 4/0-Bagged Insulated Tap Connector Black

www.homedepot.com

Don't forget to use some Dielectric Compound to seal out moisture.

The Polaris splices have dielectric compound already inside them.