Scuffed insulation, any concerns?

[JJJJ]

Just finished fishing some 4 awg wire through 1 inch conduit. There are numerous twists and turns in a small area. Very difficult getting it through, but with time and patience and improving technique got it through.

My question is the scuffing that happened. I included a photo. It seems superficial but in my OCD decided to cover these with electrical tape.

This will be handling the solar input. Any concerns?

 

[Jason.Blier]

No concerns - esp if you covered with electrical tape, you are good.

 

[Mattb4]

It could be a concern especially since you can not see the wire in the conduit to know if there is a place where the insulation is damaged enough to expose the wire. Hopefully the conduit is PVC instead of metal.

 

[timselectric]

That particular spot looks superficial.
Hopefully it's the worst one.

 

[JJJJ]

Actually I was able to visualize all of the wire. I did prototype this in PVC but according to other threads, felt that since it would be inside that metal conduit should be used.

 

[timselectric]

Those are some tight bends.

 

[Bluedog225]

Curious if you followed the 360 degree rule and still found it difficult? And did you use wire lube?

 

[Bluedog225]

How high is your voltage? And do you have fault protection that would pick up a ground fault or fault between the positive and negative?

 

[JJJJ]

Those are some tight bends.

Indeed. Working with available space. Added to the "fun" factor.

The scuffing happened on the pipe junctions. As my skill developed became less of an issue. However that 90 at the end was the biggest challenge.

Anticipated voltage will be under 50. Using the Midnite Classic 150 which has fault protection. Reason for the green wire which will ultimately feed to a common ground outside. Current design will be using a parallel approach with fewer panels than most.

In a perfect world would perform a do over and apply heat shrink on the wire before the 90, however the possible decreased flexibility might negate this. This wire is not cheap.

With the exception of the last black wire, all bends are 90 degees. Currently it is reversing 90s and will 90 down towards the bus bar, so less than 360.

Also because of the configuration, the wire was carefully threaded section by section. One wire at a time.

Some of the scuffing happened when I tried a 3/4 90 at the end. Had to special order the 1 inch because the big box stores around here don't carry it. The 1 inch was a "little better", but still took a bit of work. A LB type conduit body would have been easier but prevented because of limited space.

 

[12VoltInstalls]

Solar panel cables have a thick durable uv-resisting outer sheath over the inner conductor with its own insulation. That nick isn’t ‘good’ but it didn’t fail your wire imho

 

[Mattb4]

Actually I was able to visualize all of the wire. I did prototype this in PVC but according to other threads, felt that since it would be inside that metal conduit should be used.

If that is the case I wonder why it is even a issue. Good heads up to people to let them know to be careful I guess.

 

[JJJJ]

that is the case I wonder why it is even a issue.

There were still a number of pinch points that had to be dealt with which made this a challenge.

Admittedly if I were to do this again it would probably go better since I learned from the experience

 

[12VoltInstalls]

Admittedly if I were to do this again it would probably go better since I learned from the experience

Too bad! With that level of wisdom you could never run for public office. <——- overqualified

 

[Checkthisout]

Actually I was able to visualize all of the wire. I did prototype this in PVC but according to other threads, felt that since it would be inside that metal conduit should be used.

View attachment 147183

Next time use a gutter or large junction box just do straight runs to each component.

 

[JJJJ]

I continue to learn and grow during this experience. Next time…. Heh heh…

On the other hand a narrow gutter or raceway could be an excellent option. Anyone have some good links?

 

[Checkthisout]

I continue to learn and grow during this experience. Next time…. Heh heh…

On the other hand a narrow gutter or raceway could be an excellent option. Anyone have some good links?

Endless options.

Hoffman A4412T1T Wiring Trough Wire Mangement

Buy Hoffman A4412T1T 4"" Wiring Trough Type 1 Indoor Wiring Trough

rspsupply.com

 

[JJJJ]

Hopefully someone else who is starting out will learn from this. Sometimes something that is possible may not always be the best option.

 

[Checkthisout]

Hopefully someone else who is starting out will learn from this. Sometimes something that is possible may not always be the best option.

Your wire is too large of gauge with too soft of insulation to be pulling around those sharp bends.

 

[JJJJ]

Your wire is too large of gauge with too soft of insulation to be pulling around those sharp bends.

Very true. Went with Plan B. Applied layered shrink wrap in the pinch sites. Protects the wire nicely.

 

[JJJJ]

Curious if you followed the 360 degree rule

Found this interesting:

National Electrical Code or NEC limits the total number of bends in one continuous run to 360 degrees or four 90 degree bends. It specifically states, “There shall not be more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees total) between pull points, for example, conduit bodies and boxes.”

The article goes on to explain that a pull point is when there is an access panel that can be removed.

 

[timselectric]

Found this interesting:

National Electrical Code or NEC limits the total number of bends in one continuous run to 360 degrees or four 90 degree bends. It specifically states, “There shall not be more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees total) between pull points, for example, conduit bodies and boxes.”

The article goes on to explain that a pull point is when there is an access panel that can be removed.

The reason for this is that the conductors can be damaged if too much pulling force is needed to pull them through the conduit.

 

[JJJJ]

Makes perfect sense. A good reason to utilize something like this:

 

[zanydroid]

There’s enough pull points in this conduit here that the degree of turns rule does not apply. It’s reset basically in each segment.

Those really hard 90 corner fittings are freaking evil. I’m not sure what they’re intended for other than pissing people off.

You definitely cannot get the full conduit fill/largest conductor size for the conduit size, and likely to violate minimum bend radius…

 

[JJJJ]

Those really hard 90 corner fittings are freaking evil.

Totally agree with this. If I were do do this again, would allow considerably more space for things. That hard 90 helped me invent a new assortment of words I don't like to share in public. As it was, this was a hand to wire movement without pull tape.

 

[MarkSolar]

They also make oversized LBs, they're called mogul LBs. I've only used them on larger conduit, not sure how small they make them.