ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Correct procedure for split bolt connector

Split bolts or Line taps are electrically superior than any piercing type of connectors. Because they clamp both conductors together and have a large surface area.
We put almalgamating tape around them, several layers, and ensure that sharp edges don't penetrate the rubber tape, then put an other couple of layers of insulating tape over them as well.

The IPC's or Insulated Piercing Conductors are mostly used these days as required by the POCO's.
These are quick to fasten and have a torqued screw which breaks off when the tightness is correct.
The surface area is only a couple of little spikes which are driven into the conductors.
Time will tell how long they last.

It is important that IPC's are applied with no load on the circuit, because an arc may cause the spikes not to "puncture" the conductor properly.

Edited for typo's RF.

Although most would concentrate on the tape on a 'Kerney' (Split Bolt), the most important part is the bolt itself.

First you need to use the right bolt for the application. Bronze or CU/AL. And use the right size bolt for the conductors, or tap conductors. Then of course the most important part, a clean and tight connection. The conductors need to be clean bright copper or aluminum, then compressed in the bolt using two wrenches until voids between conductors are reduced as much as possible if a tap is used. Some have specific torque marked on them, or available from the manufacturer. See link below:
http://www.hubbellpowersystems.com/powertest/literature_library/pdfs4lib/Anderson/AE-2017.pdf

Then tape as nessesary...

I like the Polaris connectors but was taught the union method. BTW friction tape is still availavle, I bought a few rools for a pole line project. This one will be built "old school".