My issue is with someone like Glen using this forum to act as a code-enforcement representative, calling out installers he knows nothing about in a disrespectful manner.
I agree with his interpretation of a rule, But the real reason for this rule was not to create a monopoly using the rule to sell extremely overpriced tools. The professional approach would have been to explain your thoughts of the requirements and educate, much like Bryan’s response from PV-Cables. That said, I’ll put my Rennsteig tool up against the overpriced OEM tool any day. I’ve been around long enough to know that people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. This is a professional forum and a valuable resource. Let’s keep the discussion respectful and useful, without letting it turn into the kind of arguing we see on the DIY Solar Forum. I personally know Zeke, he is a professional installer and his installs are top notch. -William On Mon, Oct 5, 2026 at 5:36 PM Dana Orzel <[email protected]> wrote: > This friendly conversation brings up a good point and that is just because > one manufactures crimper used with their crimp versus another manufacturers > crimper used with their crimp. Versus one manufacturers crimper with > another manufacturers crimp. > There is no STANDARD that I am aware of. Has anybody ever done calibrated > pull tests? Has the NEC done pull tests? > When crimping OO & OOOO cable ring ends onto wire. I’m definitely not > using an end that is manufactured by the same manufacturer as my crimper > that I’ve had for 25 years. > Is this a violation of the NEC? > I do a manual pull test (tug) but I think that’s definitely subjective. > > > Sent from my iPad > > On Oct 5, 2026, at 1:41 PM, Glenn <[email protected]> wrote: > > > If bringing attention to what should not be done by professional > installers, and pointing out code non-compliance is considered to be not > friendly, then so be it. > > I have inspected too many installations where adherence to manufacturers > required installation instructions have been 'overlooked, ignored or we've > alwys done it that way' were inadequate responses. > > If a manufacturer lists its required method of assembly and installation > and you interpret it as being a suggestion, it is clearly a violation of > the NEC article 110.3b. > > Everyone takes their own level of responsibility for adherence and > ultimately their accountability for their actions, obviously. However > blatently posting such choices does zero for the reputation of our industry > and needs to be avoided. > > I stand by my previous post. > > -Glenn > > On Oct 5, 2026 15:09, William Bryce <[email protected]> wrote: > > Glenn, > > That was quite the "friendly" response (not so much)! > > If using my Amazon purchased tool made by Rennsteig that has the exact die > crimp design and compression ever comes into question, I'll take that hit! > The goal of 110.3(B) is to make sure things are done correctly, to the > recommended MFG specifications. In this case, a positive crimp of the MC4 > connector to avoid loose connection, heat, and fire. > > Not to support a company's monopoly of a tool and their bottom line. > > I'm pretty sure that not everyone on this forum uses the Staubli tool. > > > > > > On Mon, Oct 5, 2026 at 2:19 PM Glenn <[email protected]> wrote: > > Why would you admit to violating NEC 110.3b here? > That seems like a poor business decision. > > -Glenn > > On Oct 5, 2026 13:49, Zeke Yewdall <[email protected]> wrote: > > I've always just made them up myself -- CED Greentech carries the real MC4 > connectors and the wire. My crimper is the amazon one, not the official > staubli one. > > Or PV-cables.com has all sorts of custom ones with custom ends of any sort. > > Zeke > > > _______________________________________________ > List sponsored by Redwood Alliance > > Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org > > List Address: [email protected] > > Change listserver email address & settings: > > https://lists.re-wrenches.org/mailman/options/re-wrenches_lists.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]/ > https://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches_lists.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: > > https://lists.re-wrenches.org/mailman/options/re-wrenches_lists.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]/ > https://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches_lists.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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