1 Scope

1.1 This Standard covers insulated multi-pole mating or non-mating splicing wire connectors intended for field wiring and factory wiring for use in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, in Canada, and NFPA 70,  National Electrical Code, in the United States.

1.2 These wire connectors are intended to facilitate the connection of devices, such as prefabricated wiring assemblies, smoke detectors, and lighting products, to the branch circuit conductors of buildings.

1.2A The dimensions of these connectors are not defined in any national or international technical standard, as such, mating connectors are identified and tested with compatible mating part (or parts, if multiple exist) and are to be of the same manufacturer.

1.3 These requirements also cover luminaire disconnects that are used;

(a)    internal to luminaires to facilitate replacement of the ballast or LED driver, or

(b)    for LED retrofit applications where connected on the line side of the LED driver.

Luminaire disconnects are not to be directly attached to the branch circuit conductors for the purpose of interrupting (making and breaking) branch circuit conductors. Luminaire disconnects may have one or more conductors per contact.

1.4 These wire connectors are suitable for use with 30 to 6 AWG (0.05 to 13.3 mm²) stranded copper conductors and 30 to 10 AWG (0.05 to 5.3 mm²) solid copper conductors.

1.5 These wire connectors are suitable for currents not exceeding the ampacity of insulated conductors or as rated by the manufacturer.

Note: The ampacity of insulated conductors 14 AWG (2.1 mm²) and larger is determined in accordance with the values in the "Assigned maximum ampere rating" column, under the heading "Copper", in Table 7 of CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 65 or UL 486A-486B. In Canada, the maximum ampacity of insulated conductors 14 AWG (2.1 mm²) and smaller is determined in accordance with Table 12 of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I.

1.6 These wire connectors are suitable for voltages not exceeding 600 V.

1.7 This Standard does not apply to

(a)    splicing wire connectors intended for direct burial;

(b)    insulated splicing wire connectors intended for use at voltage levels exceeding 600 V (1000 V in a sign or luminaire);

(c)    terminal wire connectors;

(d)    wire binding screw terminals;

(e)    built-in terminal connectors on devices having integral cable clamps;

(f)    flat quick-connect terminals;

(g)    devices, such as wire connectors and soldering lugs, that are covered by

(i)    CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 65 or UL 486A-486B;

(ii)    CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 188 or UL 486C; or

(iii)    UL 486E;

(h)    devices, such as quick-connect terminals, that are covered by CSA C22.2 No. 153 or UL 310;

(i)    devices covered by CSA C22.2 No. 182.3 or UL 1977; and

(j)    devices, such as pin and sleeve connectors, that are covered by CSA C22.2 No. 182.1 or UL 1682.

Summary of Topics

This revision of ANSI/UL 2459 includes the following changes in requirements:

Minimum Spacings Table 4

Intermateability of Connectors

Use of Multi-Pole Splicing Wire Connectors as Disconnects in LED Applications