Feeder splice

[sky jumper]

long story short, I need to have a splice in my 1/1/1/6 feeder to the detached garage. I'm planning to do this in a Nema3R box mounted on the house, and the feeder would then go into the house to the main panel.

1) I assume code allows splices in feeders?
2) There appears to be different ways to splice large wire. Is there a code-compliant way to do this? my default approach is to just get some large dual lugs and screw the wires in, then wrap them with some kind of heavy duty insulating tape/wrap. or perhaps heat shrink?

 

[Terry D]

Polaris connectors are the slickest and easiest, but can be pricey. A simple split bolt wrapped with tape is the cheapest. If you have aluminum wiring, and use a split bolt, make sure it is rated for aluminum. I would also recommend an anti oxide paste with aluminum. And yes, these splices would have to put in a J-box. And if outside, would have to be rated for that.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Polaris...ERCH=REC-_-pipsem-_-300303209-_-303578418-_-N

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerc...-1-0-Stranded-to-6-Solid-10HPS-B1-5/100151936

 

[larry4406]

I purchased "Polaris type" insulated connectors from Morris Products and was quite pleased with them for both price and ease of use when I ran power to my barn.

https://www.morrisproducts.com/default.asp

 

[75gmck25]

The Polaris-style connectors work well and they are approved. However, take a close look at the requirements for junction box size.

IIRC, for 4awg and larger wiring, the required size of the junction box is determined by the size of the conduit/raceway feeding it, not the size and number of wires in the box. This is one site with an explanation, but I'm sure there are others. https://www.ecmweb.com/national-electrical-code/code-basics/article/20892904/sizing-junction-boxes

Bruce

 

[andyvh1959]

So I understand this; you plan to splice into the main power feed into your home, install the Nema 3R box, and route power to your detached garage?

I am closer to getting power to my new detached garage an the local inspector said I can only route the 2AWG copper cables to the main breaker panel in my original attached garage on the house. I had hoped I could do a power tap external on the house where the main power comes in, like at the current meter base. But would it meet code to tap off at the meter base into a Nema 3R box outside on the wall below the current meter base?

 

[Terry D]

So I understand this; you plan to splice into the main power feed into your home, install the Nema 3R box, and route power to your detached garage?

I am closer to getting power to my new detached garage an the local inspector said I can only route the 2AWG copper cables to the main breaker panel in my original attached garage on the house. I had hoped I could do a power tap external on the house where the main power comes in, like at the current meter base. But would it meet code to tap off at the meter base into a Nema 3R box outside on the wall below the current meter base?

NO. You can not tap into those feeders. Those feeders are most likely owned by the PoCo. For one, it is before the meter and you will be stealing electric. But most importantly, if it is most likely unfused. You need to wire that to a breaker in your main panel or a sub panel. The OP stated he is splicing it and taking it to the main panel.

 

[sky jumper]

The Polaris-style connectors work well and they are approved. However, take a close look at the requirements for junction box size.

IIRC, for 4awg and larger wiring, the required size of the junction box is determined by the size of the conduit/raceway feeding it, not the size and number of wires in the box. This is one site with an explanation, but I'm sure there are others. https://www.ecmweb.com/national-electrical-code/code-basics/article/20892904/sizing-junction-boxes

Bruce

well I hope the inspector doesn't go by that code because most of my LBs would fail it - which is odd. I see there's an exception if your conduit fill is below a certain level (which mine is). I mounted a 6x6x4 box on the house and have the 2" conduit coming in from the bottom and out the back. plenty of room for the splice.

 

[andyvh1959]

Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify, I was asking about tapping off after the meter and then in the buried conduit out to the garage. But I understand now the real issue is to have any sub-panel off the main panel to provide protection on the sub circuit.

 

[pattenp]

An added bit of information is that LB's need to be sized by the manufacture conductor fill limits. There are instances for example where conductor fill limit for the conduit is overfilling the LB. In other words the proper LB size can determine the conduit size.

 

[Terry D]

Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify, I was asking about tapping off after the meter and then in the buried conduit out to the garage. But I understand now the real issue is to have any sub-panel off the main panel to provide protection on the sub circuit.

I cant tell by the picture if there is conductors coming in the top off the meter socket. If there isn't, then that conduit coming in the bottom is the line side of the meter. Meaning before the meter.