How can service-entrance conductors be spliced or tapped?

Service-entrance conductors are critical components in electrical installations, and their integrity is essential for safety and reliability. The National Electrical Code (NEC) has specific requirements regarding how these conductors can be spliced or tapped to ensure that connections maintain their strength, conductivity, and protection against environmental factors.

When it comes to splicing or tapping service-entrance conductors, the NEC stipulates that the connections must use methods that provide both mechanical strength and an effective electrical connection. Clamped or bolted connections meet these criteria because they create a sturdy and reliable union between conductors. These types of connections are also less susceptible to corrosion and can withstand the mechanical stresses that service-entrance conductors might encounter.

Other methods, such as twisting wires together or using soldered connections, do not provide the same level of security and may not hold up over time when subjected to the stresses present in service-entrance applications. Hence, the NEC's emphasis on using clamped or bolted connections helps ensure the safety of the electrical system as a whole.