0/0 Gauge Aluminum Wire

[dgdistrb]

Hi, I am using 2/0 Gauge Aluminum Wire. The combiner box I would like to get is a Midnite MNPV6. The box accepts 1/0 wire.
Do anyone know if there is a way for the 2/0 wire to fit? I'm just wondering if there is any leeway in the gauge size or does anyone have a trick up their sleeve to make this work. I thought maybe I could remove some stands of wire or grind them down to a diameter that would work.
Any Suggestions?

Thank you,
George

[jflorey2]

Hi, I am using 0/0 Gauge Aluminum Wire. The combiner box I would like to get is a Midnite MNPV6. The box accepts 1/0 wire.
Do anyone know if there is a way for the 0/0 wire to fit? I'm just wondering if there is any leeway in the gauge size or does anyone have a trick up their sleeve to make this work. I thought maybe I could remove some stands of wire or grind them down to a diameter that would work.

Not and meet the standards the box was designed to. There are splicing products available that can both convert Al to Cu wire and step it down in size. AlumiConn splices, for example, can work for some applications, but don't go that low in gauge. Note - you MUST use a product specifically intended for stepping aluminum wire down to copper; you CANNOT use normal splicing methods (i.e. split bolts.)

[foo1bar]

The box accepts 1/0 wire.
Do anyone know if there is a way for the 0/0 wire to fit?

I don't know what you mean by "0/0 wire".
That isn't a typical description of wire size.
AWG that I am familiar with for larger wires are:
4
3
2
1
1/0 (spoken as "one-aught")
2/0 (or I think sometimes "00" - spoken as "two-aught" )
3/0
4/0

Do you have a 2/0 conductor you need to fit a 1/0 (or smaller) connector?
Or do you have a 1/0 conductor that you need to fit a 1/0 (or smaller) connector? (in which case - no problem - just make sure to use the anti-ox stuff on any alum. wires)

Removing strands to make it fit is *always* a no-no.

There are "pin adapter" or "pin terminal" that if you have proper tools would be an option to decrease size of a wire.
But you probably don't have the right tools.
So the more likely choice for you is a connector similar to "burndy BIT2/0" (probably you need similar but waterproof since this will be inside a box that's outside. I'm not sure about the requirements/code in that.)
For installing that you just need a torque wrench to properly torque the connector. And you'll have to have that already for other things.)

[dgdistrb]

foo1bar, Thanks for pointing that out. Yes I checked the wire it say 2/0 on it. I bought the wire almost 10 years ago and I remembered the salesman calling it double yaught wire.
So you asked me "

Do you have a 2/0 conductor you need to fit a 1/0 (or smaller) connector?" The answer is yes. So I will look into the burndy BIT2/0. But waterproof.
Thank you for your help

[dgdistrb]

Would this be what you are recommending? Something like this? Or would this not be waterproof enough?

BIT2ORK.jpg
BIT2/0RK
by Burndy Catalog ID: BIT2/0RK

AL6061-T6 Aluminum Body Tap Connector, UNITAP, Aluminum Conductor - Size Range:8 AWG-2/0 AWG,Wire Strip Length: 11/16 IN,Torque: 120 IN-LB.
Features: Clear Plastisol Covered AL6061-T6 Aluminum Body: Saves Time, Lowers Installation Costs, Eliminates Taping, Clear Plastisol: Allows Visual Confirmation That Conductor Is Properly Inserted, Oxide Inhibitor Pre-Installed: Inhibits Moisture And Contaminants From Entering The Contact Area, Range-Taking: Reduces Number Of Connectors Carried In Inventory, Wire Entry: Double, Torque: 120 IN-LB, Hex Size (key): 3/16 IN, Conductor Size (run - Range): 14 - 2/0 AWG, Wire Strip Length: 11/16 IN, Type Of Insulation: Plastisol, Number Of Ports: 2

[emartin00]

Would this be what you are recommending? Something like this? Or would this not be waterproof enough?

BIT2ORK.jpg
BIT2/0RK
by Burndy Catalog ID: BIT2/0RK

AL6061-T6 Aluminum Body Tap Connector, UNITAP, Aluminum Conductor - Size Range:8 AWG-2/0 AWG,Wire Strip Length: 11/16 IN,Torque: 120 IN-LB.
Features: Clear Plastisol Covered AL6061-T6 Aluminum Body: Saves Time, Lowers Installation Costs, Eliminates Taping, Clear Plastisol: Allows Visual Confirmation That Conductor Is Properly Inserted, Oxide Inhibitor Pre-Installed: Inhibits Moisture And Contaminants From Entering The Contact Area, Range-Taking: Reduces Number Of Connectors Carried In Inventory, Wire Entry: Double, Torque: 120 IN-LB, Hex Size (key): 3/16 IN, Conductor Size (run - Range): 14 - 2/0 AWG, Wire Strip Length: 11/16 IN, Type Of Insulation: Plastisol, Number Of Ports: 2

That connector is not waterproof, and must be used inside an enclosure. If you go this route, you would need to go with a BURNDY UGS350ULDB connector.

https://www.cpesupply.com/2328547/Product/UGS350ULDB?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxtPYBRD6ARIsAKs1XJ4PL5hakCiE_EcSLD-KaGAzeORfYwfklu3qo6iOy6XMqjEh0UXTSK4aAhZfEALw_wcB

The other option is a pin terminal, the AYP2/0 or AYPO2/0. However, these will require the proper crimping tool.

https://www.ideadigitalcontent.com/files/NEURBRO/4207.pdf

Or the mechanical version, these are new, so I'm not sure exactly which cat# you would need.

https://electricalnews.com/burndy-announces-the-kap-kapo-line-of-innovative-mechanical-pin-adaptors/

[Mike90250]

the proper designation of aught cable is
Numeral Slash Zero
3/0 wire

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_wire_gauge#Pronunciation

Till about 10 minutes ago, I thought the zero was a capitol O as in Ought . Guess the standard changed in the last 40 years.

[JSchnee21]

How much current are you planning to carry? Over what distance? Unless you're planning a PV system >50kW PV or running DC several hundred feet, 2/0 seems unnecessarily large. Or at least large enough that you should consider having an electrician involved.

Ampacity

http://www.usawire-cable.com/pdfs/nec%20ampacities.pdf

Combiner box

https://www.wholesalesolar.com/8910041/midnite-solar/disconnects/midnite-solar-mnpv6#

If I recall correctly, my 12kW system only uses ~6 or 8 gauge copper for each string as the current at ~380V is pretty low.

"I thought maybe I could remove some stands of wire or grind them down to a diameter that would work." -- Umm, I hear safety bells going off in my head -- oh not, wait, that;s the fire alarm . . .

[dgdistrb]

Ok, I went and picked up something similar to a

BIT2/0RK and a weather proof box. I found some 2 awg wire so I'm going to use that instead of the 2/0.
Thanks guys for your guidance.

[tyab]

Polaris Black series can do exactly what you are trying to do. Look at the ISR models or the ITO models. Insanely easy to use. I personally used the IPLD series in my install to transition to/from my parallel 4/0 AL.

https://polarisconnectors.com/black.html

[dgdistrb]

Thank you guys for your help. I just finished the job and everything is working fine......