Need outdoor electrical advice

@tirediron said not to use connectors but to solder them together.

 

You don’t need to soldier them that’s a matter of preference if you use wire nuts. If you use Ideal in-sure push to connect quick connectors you push the wire in and tug test and done. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ideal-I...ctor-10-AWG-3-Port-150-Jar-30-1039J/308718296 Make sure you get the right size for your largest conductor. These are out of stock but if you go to CED or Graybar they will have similar ones from Wego that are rated for the size wires you have.

 

I have plenty of these already thankfully in most sizes already. I love these things.

 

I don’t know if this was said before, however you should find a state certified electrician to do this for you. If you have to ask for help on something this simple (simple for an electrician) you should not be doing it yourself. No disrespect intended. However you’ll be working in a energized panel to take the breaker off and reland wires, one mistake can cost you your life. (Arc flash, arc blast or electrocution).

your safety isn’t something to risk.

 

I know how to switch out a breaker and put in new cabling. If I needed to run a sub or change a main or something, I'd hire someone for sure.

 

Fair point; I'm not aware of a requirement to solder, and I was thinking of this from a perspective of my area where disparate size conductors, thermal loading, expansion/contraction, etc are likely more of a factor than in California, but I would still strongly recommend soldering vice wire nuts. They're fine for two like-size conductors, or even one gauge up/down, but you're looking at a significant difference in conductor size, and given that it is out of doors, I would definitely solder these; it's two minutes extra work. Remember code is MINIMUM requirement, it's hard to go wrong going over/above code.

 

Conductors in you photos appeared to be #10 CU. If done correctly with wire nuts, no need to solder. If larger size, Polaris for the win. No one solders power connections anymore, LOL. POLARIS Insulated Multitap Connector, Single-Sided Entry, L, No. of Ports 2, 6 AWG Max. Conductor Size - 14V956|ITG-6B - Grainger

 

You can clearly read "8 AWG" on the one hot line (which should actually be 6, but it is what it is...). The Polaris connectors are fine, and if you want to spend >$20 to do what two minutes of time and ten cents worth of supplies will do better, up to you I suppose. LOTS of people still solder power connections; professional sparkies, especially in new construction tend not to because it takes longer, and is in excess of code, therefore means they're spending money they don't have to. Come to my place, you'll find lots of soldered connections.

 

Commercial Electric Winged Wire Connectors, Blue (12-Pack)-778325 - The Home Depot

 

A properly used wire nut Will hold just as well as a properly soldered wire.

 

We can agree to disagree on that.

 

I'd like to see some of those soldered joints. I've been doing electrical work since 1984 and don't know of anyone that still solders joints.

https://www.wago.com/us/c/wire-splicing-connectors

 

Soldered....Lol. Started in the field 1976. Only soldered power connections I've seen are old knob and tube I was replacing. Soldered....Lol

 

Agreeded

 

So the existing conduit in the ground with the existing wires is rusted and broken. Going to do it the easy/right way and just get 100ft 12/2 and call it a day.

 

Lead solder joints started way before the 70's. For all i know, it goes back to the invention of electricity? The Industrial plant I work in was built in the early 50's. Is still being used today. And still has some of the original paper coated (lead solder) conductors (still being used for lighting and motor circuits).

Here is a motor disconnect servicing a 75 HP 480V motor. The Feeder Circuit (Line Side of the disconnect) is paper coated.

 

There we go, my guy

 

Yes lead soldered started back in the dinosaur days. I meant I started in the field 1976. Lol

 

@MoneyMan55

Here's the other end of the spectrum. The joys of my world.

 

Gorgeous