Crimp on "C" clamps meet code, but sometimes are not that secure of a
connection.
_Drake Chamberlin_
_Athens Electric LLC_
_Ohio Electrical Contractor's License 44810_
_NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional_
---
On 2025-02-20 12:01, Kristopher Schmid via RE-wrenches wrote:
Thanks Cory,
I think that the supply side connection may require the irreversible
splice since it is considered a service entrance. In some cases, the
GE is not easily accessible (under concrete for example) to add a GEC
to the GE directly. In any case, my AHJs do not like the split bolt
connection and that is my reason for the inquiry.
Shine On!
Kris Schmid
Legacy Solar, LLC
137 West 1st Avenue
Luck, WI 54853
www.legacysolar.com [1]
715-653-4295
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
Licensed Wisconsin Master Electrician
BSEE
On Wed, Feb 19, 2025 at 9:53 PM Corey Shalanski via RE-wrenches
<[email protected]> wrote:
Kris,
As far as I know, taps to GECs need not be irreversible. I believe you
might be thinking of the NEC 250.64(C) requirement for GECs to be
installed "in one continuous length" or otherwise be spliced together
via one of several options, with one option being to use irreversible
compression-type connectors--but I'm pretty sure that refers to
*individual* GECs (as in, *each* GEC must either be run continuous or
can be pieced together via irreversible means).
It sounds like your scenario is a supply-side connection, which
introduces an additional service equipment enclosure in the form of the
PV system disconnect (additional to any existing service equipment) and
would therefore be covered by NEC 250.64(D). One option, described in
(D)(2), would be to run a new GEC from the PV system disconnect
directly to the (existing) grounding electrode system. The other
option*, described in (D)(1), is to run a GEC "tap" from the PV system
disconnect to a "common" GEC. In cases where there is only a single
existing service equipment enclosure - and therefore only a single
existing GEC - my interpretation is that the existing GEC can serve as
the common GEC (essentially doing double duty as a "common/tap" GEC, if
it helps to think of it that way) and you can therefore connect the new
GEC tap directly to it. Notably, this method allows for the use of
"connectors listed as grounding and bonding equipment"--we commonly use
split bolts for the purpose.
*There is also a third option [(D)(3)], but, in my experience, it is
uncommon to have wireways on the supply side of service disconnects.
So, I would suggest there is no need to use compression connectors -
but you can certainly do so as an 'above-Code' measure.
Corey Shalanski
Cherry Street Energy
Atlanta, GA
On Wed, Feb 19, 2025 at 8:18 AM Kristopher Schmid via RE-wrenches
<[email protected]> wrote:
Hi All,
What are you all using for an "irreversible" tap to an existing GEC? I
have been looking at compression CTAPs. Do they require a special
crimper die?
Thanks,
Kris
Shine On!
Kris Schmid
Legacy Solar, LLC
137 West 1st Avenue
Luck, WI 54853
www.legacysolar.com [1]
715-653-4295
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
Licensed Wisconsin Master Electrician
BSEE _______________________________________________
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