https://www.staubli.com/content/dam/ecs/technical-documentation/assembly-instructions/RE/PV_MA231-en.pdf
Page 4 states: “Thermal stress Ensure that the connector is not exposed to excessive thermal stress. • Install the connector in such a way that sufficient heat dissipation is ensured. • Installation in areas that restrict the air flow (e.g. in large bundles, in split looms or other housings) is not permitted. • Direct burial of the connector is not permitted.” I think a junction box would be considered a housing that restricts air flow. On Tue, Nov 11, 2025 at 7:31 PM Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches < [email protected]> wrote: > We're talking about inside a junction box (NEMA 3R or 4, for example), not > an "outdoor environment." Wagos (and other connectors like wire nuts, > Polaris Taps, power distribution blocks, terminal blocks, etc) are allowed > inside of a rooftop junction box, just like they are allowed in various > switch boxes, enclosures, and cabinets that are suitable for the > environment outdoors. > > For the same reason you can put circuit breakers inside of a NEMA 3R load > center outdoors, you can use splice connectors of many kinds inside of a > NEMA 3R enclosure. They do not need to be listed for "outdoors" because it > is not outdoors. It's enclosed and adequately protected from the > environment. > > In other words, any AHJ that challenges me on this, I just ask them to > show me a circuit breaker that's listed for use in a wet location. That's > usually enough to shut them down. > > > 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, 7:11 PM Glenn <[email protected]> wrote: > >> I have not found a listing for Wagos in an outdoor environment. >> >> -Glenn >> >> On Nov 11, 2025 18:01, 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. 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 > >
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