Friends:
I narrowly avoided catastrophe yesterday. I created a tap connection on a 200 amp main breaker. I wrap split bolts with Scotch 2229 mastic and then cover that with a generous layer of Scotch 33+ tape. On this occasion, just as I was putting the dead front in place I noticed the glint of metal poking through the mastic and tape. The points on the legs of the split bolt are sharp and the mastic and tape had crept away from this point and exposed a tiny point of metal. This point would have contacted the dead front lightly or at least would have been in close proximity. Had I energized the breaker, I would have had a significant arc. I unwrapped both connectors so both bolts had the legs facing away from the dead-front, creating a good ½ of clearance and then wrapped them more carefully. 30 years ago I had access to rubberized cloth tape that we used instead of the mastic. I suspect the cloth tape is more durable than the mastic, but I dont see it in the supply houses anymore. How do the rest of you wrap split bolts so you are confident that the mastic wont creep away from a high point on the connector? Thanks in advance. William Gradient Cap_mini Lic 773985 millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/> 805-438-5600
_______________________________________________ List sponsored by Redwood Alliance List Address: [email protected] Change listserver email address & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out or update participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
