Chris - interesting. Do you have any documentation from Staubli about this restriction? I haven't seen anything like that myself. Thanks, Blake
On Tue, Nov 11, 2025 at 3:43 PM Chris Sparadeo via RE-wrenches < [email protected]> wrote: > It’s been my understanding that installing a cable to cable MC4 connection > inside a junction box is against Stabuli manufacturer guidelines and that > heat and moisture dissipation are important factors with MC4 connectors, > even though they are IP68 rated. I remember hearing this reiterated at the > NABCEP conference earlier this year as well. > > On Tue, Nov 11, 2025 at 6:03 PM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> We have had terrific success using Wagos in rooftop junction boxes for >> splicing #12 Enphase cable to #10 home run THWN. We have no issues >> whatsoever with these. >> >> Unfortunately, the #10 PV wire insulation is too large for the Wago >> 221-6XX series. We have been buying #14-#4 Polaris taps and it's getting >> very expensive. I would like an alternative. >> >> For a while we were using the King Innovation AlumiConn purple "suitcase" >> connectors for Enphase, but they are only 300V rated and I don't think the >> PV Wire insulation fits in those, either, for <300V applications. >> >> I have seen people using MC4 connectors in rooftop junction boxes like >> Blake suggested, but I wasn't sure if that is acceptable practice to use >> them this way (in an enclosure), and it does require a pretty large >> junction box. We prefer to use the EZ Solar JB-# series of boxes. The rail >> mount ones (JB-3) are pretty small, but the tile roof JB-2 is huge, and the >> shingle JB-1 is sizable as well. I guess if there is no prohibition against >> using them in an enclosure, then it should be allowed. I do like the >> watertight nature of this solution. >> >> I have seen some clowns using MC4 connectors with #10 THHN wire to make >> these splices. That's obviously no bueno. Crazy stuff... >> >> >> Jason Szumlanski >> Principal Solar Designer | Florida Solar Design Group >> NABCEP Certified Solar Professional (PVIP) >> Florida State Certified Solar Contractor CVC56956 >> Florida Certified Electrical Contractor EC13013208 >> >> >> On Tue, Nov 11, 2025 at 4:44 PM Dave Tedeyan via RE-wrenches < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Hi Adam, >>> This response is just to you. Is NYSERDA the inspection agency you are >>> talking about? Cause they have given me issues about using Wago Nuts inside >>> a 3R box, even after I got a statement from Wago saying that it is okay to >>> put it inside a 3R box. But squirting a bit of No-Ox in there seems to make >>> them happy about it. The one time we put one inside a 3R panel board to >>> extend a short wire and forgot to put No-Ox on that one, they gave us a 2 >>> out of 5 on the inspection, even though that was the only thing noted in >>> the entire inspection report! But I would be curious if the point you make >>> above will work with NYSERDA? >>> >>> Cheers, >>> Dave >>> >>> On Tue, Nov 11, 2025 at 4:16 PM AE Solar via RE-wrenches < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> We had an inspection agency that was giving us a hard time about using >>>> buchanan crimps in junction boxes because they aren't rated for >>>> outdoor/damp locations. The point was made (on this listserve) that "*if >>>> the inside of a 3R enclosure isn't considered dry enough for a buchanan >>>> crimp/cap, then there's millions of 3R panels with breakers and busbars in >>>> them that would have the same problem*". The inspection agency finally >>>> relented. We put a little No-Alox in the cap. I know that's not what your >>>> initial post was about, but tossing that in for consideration just in >>>> case... >>>> >>>> Adam Katzman (he/him) >>>> Autonomous Energies | Owner/Operator >>>> www.AutonomousEnergies.com <http://www.autonomousenergies.com> >>>> (518) 567-1468 >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Tue, Nov 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM Jay via RE-wrenches < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hi Sam >>>>> >>>>> I can’t imagine being just copper it would matter, the AHJ might have >>>>> a different opinion however >>>>> >>>>> Question. >>>>> How are you insulating them? >>>>> >>>>> Jay >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Nov 11, 2025, at 11:15 AM, Sam Haraldson via RE-wrenches < >>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Wrenches, >>>>> >>>>> On the attached product spec sheet for Ideal Copper Crimps (aka >>>>> Buchanan crimps) you'll see that max voltage for the crimp is rated at >>>>> 600V >>>>> but an asterisk indicates up to 1000V when "in fixtures and signs". In >>>>> our >>>>> application this is a 1000v system and we are joining pairs of #10 PV >>>>> wires. The junctions are made in a rail-mounted, plastic j-box. We could >>>>> not find the definition of "fixture" as it might pertain to this situation >>>>> in the NEC and as such are interested to learn more about using Buchanan >>>>> crimps for 1000V applications. >>>>> >>>>> <image.png> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Cheers, >>>>> Sam >>>>> >>>>> [image: OnSite Energy] <https://onsiteenergyinc.com/> >>>>> >>>>> Sam Haraldson >>>>> Operations Specialist >>>>> (406) 551-6135 >>>>> 1515 N. Rouse Ave Bozeman, MT 59715 >>>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1515+N.+Rouse+Ave+Bozeman,+MT+59715?entry=gmail&source=g> >>>>> Locally owned and operated since 2012 >>>>> [image: B Corporation] <https://onsiteenergyinc.com/bcorp> >>>>> <IDEALIndustries-Crimp Connectors.pdf> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >>>>> >>>>> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org >>>>> >>>>> List Address: [email protected] >>>>> >>>>> Change listserver email address & settings: >>>>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>>>> >>>>> There are two list archives for searching. 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When one doesn't work, try the >> other: >> https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out or update participant bios: >> http://www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >> _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org > > List Address: [email protected] > > Change listserver email address & settings: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > > There are two list archives for searching. 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