old SEC; new SEC connection in panel

[Greg Kelsey]

I'm new to Inspection News and am hoping you can answer a question that several electricians have given me different answers too! I've inspected several electrical distribution panels that have SEC cables in the panel joined together with only vinyl electrical tape. I've called it out as an improper termination/connection but have had several electricians say it was correct. What is the correct method for this type of SEC junction in a panel?

Thanks,
Greg in VT

[John Arnold]

...SEC cables in the panel joined together with only vinyl electrical tape...

Welcome to the board Greg. I've spent a fair amount of time in Vermont myself.

Ideally this thread should be in the Electrical section.

Now, do you literally mean "ONLY vinyl electrical tape"?! I can't imagine any electrician claiming that is ok. It can be ok to splice the sec in the panel, if done with a proper device, the name of which escapes me at the moment.

[John Arnold]

Here's a thread from the archives:
Main service splice in panel - InspectionNews.com (http://www.inspectionnews.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000657.html)

[Greg Kelsey]

Thanks John, I read the link posted in 2005 and it answered my question. The connection of the old and new SEC was joined with vinyl tape only!I've seen the bolted type connections in other panels and figured that was the correct proprietary method. I did challenge the adequacy of the installation of the SEC in my report.

Thanks again,
Greg in VT