Blackburn PGH4 CU PARAGRV HOT TAP CLAMP 450-4

The PGH4 handles a run and tap range of 3/0 to #6 ACSR and up to 4/0 stranded AWG. Match both the main conductor and the tap conductor to that range before you order, since a parallel-groove clamp grips each in its own groove and a conductor below the bottom of the range won't seat properly under the center bolt.

It is built as a hot-tap clamp, meaning it is intended for making a tap connection on a live line with a hot stick and the appropriate live-line work practices. The single center bolt is what lets a lineman close it from a distance in one operation.

Rated to 35 kV, so it covers typical distribution primary work up through 34.5 kV class. Anything above that class needs a different connector.

The body is aluminum. Aluminum-bodied parallel-groove clamps of this style are commonly used on aluminum and ACSR runs; the published conductor range for the PGH4 calls out ACSR and stranded AWG sizes from 3/0 to #6 and 4/0 stranded. When you join dissimilar metals on a distribution tap, plan for the usual aluminum-to-copper precautions on your job.

Published size is 3-5/16 inch width by 6-5/16 inch height by 2-7/16 inch length. On tight crossarm spacing or inside a cutout bracket, check that 6-5/16 inch dimension against your phase clearance before you send it up.

A parallel-groove clamp like the PGH4 is bolted, so it can be installed and later removed or re-tensioned, and the center-bolt version is made to go on with a hot stick on an energized conductor. A compression tap is crimped permanently with a die tool and is normally a de-energized install. Pick the bolted clamp where you need a temporary or serviceable tap, or where dropping the line isn't an option.

It ships each, one clamp per unit, under manufacturer part number PGH4. Crews stocking a line truck usually order per tap point rather than by carton.