One wire too short for combiner box..splice THHN?

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • merc4
    Junior Member
    • Apr 2014
    • 35

    #1

    One wire too short for combiner box..splice THHN?

    I spliced in about 4 or 5 feet of #10 thhn on just one line, in order for it to reach the combiner. The other 3 were long enough. Now I'm having second thoughts. It is a good waterproof splice. Any thoughts? The PV wire has so much more insulation, it's makin' me nervous!
  • inetdog
    Super Moderator
    • May 2012
    • 9909

    #2
    Originally posted by merc4
    I spliced in about 4 or 5 feet of #10 thhn on just one line, in order for it to reach the combiner. The other 3 were long enough. Now I'm having second thoughts. It is a good waterproof splice. Any thoughts? The PV wire has so much more insulation, it's makin' me nervous!
    Without getting into the safety aspect (and assuming that you are using a commercial splice kit with a voltage rating and not just taping it up yourself), there will be a problem with the NEC. A splice in either PV wire or ordinary THHN that is running through conduit has to be enclosed in a junction box which allows access to the splice for inspection and maintenance.
    THHN cannot be run exposed in the first place, especially on a rooftop in the sun, although PV wire can.

    Overall, a bad idea.
    You would be better off buying a new, longer, piece of PV wire to replace the short one.
    SunnyBoy 3000 US, 18 BP Solar 175B panels.

    Comment

    • bcroe
      Solar Fanatic
      • Jan 2012
      • 5209

      #3
      Originally posted by merc4
      I spliced in about 4 or 5 feet of #10 thhn on just one line, in order for it to reach the combiner. The other 3 were long enough. Now I'm having second thoughts. It is a good waterproof splice. Any thoughts? The PV wire has so much more insulation, it's makin' me nervous!
      Instead of a splice, I would just put MC4 M/F connectors on the wires. I picked up any
      scraps of PV wire after construction, and turned them into "extension cords" this way.
      Bruce Roe

      Comment

      • merc4
        Junior Member
        • Apr 2014
        • 35

        #4
        thanks guys, extension ordered! Peace of mind prevails!

        Comment

        Working...