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Jim Chandler Jim Chandler is offline
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Default How do I use a Split bolt ? (electrical)

Albert we:
I have a 60 amp circuit with a single outlet (I believe an L5-50) that
I use for my welder. I want to add a second outlet to this circuit so
that I don't have to keep unplugging/plugging when I want to use
another welder. I won't be using both welders at the same time. The
conductors are 6 gauge. Normally I would use some wire nuts but I
can't find any that are rated to hold three 6 gauge conductors. The
home centers in my area have big blue wire nuts that can only hold two
6 gauge wires. They also have split bolts. Can I use these? Do I
just strip the middle of one wire and the end of the other wire, then
insert them into the split bolt? Then wrap with electrical tape? I'm
a bit leery of a 208V, 60A circuit insulated with electrical tape. Is
shrink tube any safer? Finding a shrink tube with diameter greater
than the length of the split bolt might be tricky. Are these split
bolts only intended for ground conductors?

I would add another circuit except my panel is completely full.

Any ideas? Thanks.



You could do it that way. Just use lots of tape to get the proper
insulation thickness. Or, in the alternative, you could take one of
your esisting breaker and run a sub=panel from it. That way you have
room for future expansion.

Jim Chandler