Connections

Prices & ordering

See our Prices page for representative prices, part numbers, and ordering information. Please contact us if you would like further specifications for our connection products or have a custom application. Some products are in stock and can be shipped within a week. Others may require custom fabrication that may take up to four weeks.

General

All conductors and connectors meet the specifications given in NFPA780-2008 Chapter 8.

Conductors

Conductors make the main connections and can be used wherever the requirement is for a "main conductor" or "down conductor". Generally the material used is either aluminum or tinned copper and the shape is either strip or cable.

Strip conductors

The dimensions of both the aluminum (#CAlS) and tinned copper (#CCuS) are about 1" x 1/16". The advantages of strip conductors are:

1. They are low profile for narrow spaces and surface mounting
2. Connections are simply made by through-bolting using a galvanically-compatible fastener.

The disadvantages are:

1. Bends can be made in only one direction.
2. It is difficult to cover the strip to exclude moisture where galvanic mismatches might otherwise cause corrosion.

Cable conductors

Our tinned copper insulated cable (#CCuC) is 2AWG 600V marine battery cable. Connections to this are usually made by crimping to our heavy duty lugs. Our aluminum cable (#CAlC)is UL-listed lightning cable fabricated from a low-corrosion alloy. Connections to this are made with various specialized connectors.

Connectors

Thrudeck connectors

These are typically used to make a connection through a fiberglass deck, cabin top, or topside. Components used in each connector may vary dependent on whether it is to be used in a new-build, major retrofit or with the fitting in place.

Standoff studs

When used in a connection to a strip conductor, a standoff stud provides a connecting post and adds thermal mass to the connection.

Bimetallic connectors

In order to prevent galvanic corrosion between an aluminum fitting and tinned copper cable (#CCuC), our bimetallic connectors use wet-type heat shrink to exclude moisture from the joint. They come in either straight (#BMC)or 90-degree geometry.

Aluminum mast connector

Connection to the mast is made by screwing into a 3/8-16 threaded hole in the mast. All hardware is provided.

Heavy-duty lugs

These over-sized lugs should be used for all terminations to 2AWG cable.

Splices

Use either when connecting 2AWG cable to parallel or perpendicular Siedarc^TM electrodes, or cross splices in 2AWG cable.

Joint compound

We recommend the use of joint compound for all joints to:

• exclude moisture from the joint
• improve electrical contact
• add friction to lower the risk of loosening or turning.

Two types are available, depending on whether tinned copper or aluminum is to be joined. Each comes in a 3ml or 10 ml syringe. Typically 0.1-0.3 ml is sufficient for each contact surface.