I see some of the split bolts work for either Al or Cu. Does that mean that one can have the Aluminum and Copper in the same split bolt? I want to hook #1 copper to #2 Aluminum. I inherited the aluiminum in the service drop.
While they are dismilar metals, if the bolt were say SS, then there would be no oxidation formed between a conductor and the bolt. Current could flow through the bolt.
Edited 11/9/2004 2:48 am ET by FarmerDave
Replies
Oh, Sparky... You like 99 cent big macs don't you. Mc Donalds had a sale in my neighborhood when the cards made the play-off. Farmers grow cheap beef by cutting our costs. Beef sales to japan help get back that money you spend on precision engineered japanese cars and tools too.
I'm not an electrician. I do not eat big macs. My advice on either topic is worthless.
However, in most panels I see, the termination bars for neutral and ground are aluminum. People terminate copper and aluminum wire into them all the time. They sometimes squirt goo onto the aluminum feeder conductors before tightening them down (no, not big mac sauce, some type of antioxidant paste). Betcha can use the split bolt and some goo. Let's see what someone who actually knows says.
I was hoping that someone with some more experience would reply to this.
But I understand you concern.
There another type of splice besides the split bolt. They are a brass sleave or body that has been fored out. Then they have a clamp plate and setscrew. Some of them are large blocks and have holes for several wires, other just 2. And some of them are insualted with a plastic jacket.
This is the type of product that I am talking about.
http://www.panduit.com/pressreleases/069507.asp
I see that this one does say that it can be used with copper and AL.
Looks like this is the specific one that will do what you need.
http://www.panduit.com/products/Products2.asp?partNum=PISR1/0-1¶m=553
There are other brands. But I don't know any good generic search terms and it took me a long time to find this.
You will probably need to go to a "good" electrical supply house to find these or at least some one that knows enough to go through their 50,000 pages of catalogs.
I think that AMP might have some products like this, but there web site is hard to get around.
Edited 11/9/2004 10:54 am ET by Bill Hartmann
Thank to all for your responses. It's interesting too that you confirmed my hunch. When people don't answer, it's often because they are not sure.
Your answer, even incomplete is a big help.
I'll try asking Amp or Panduit. The web is a great way to reach those that know. Should I get some results, I post them.
The splices that look like hex rods with the set screws look better to the physicist in me. So far I have only found them stocked in a style that accepts one metal.Big Macs - 99 cents
According to "how to wire a house" (good wiring book by taunton) you can use a split bolt if it has a washer to physically separate the Al from the Cu wire. I think I'd use some anti oxidant as well.