goldstar
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Is the metal sheath of MC considered an effective ground path ? In looking at the make-up of AC cable the metallic strip installed inside the AC jacket (or as I like to call it a "shunt") is there to help form an effective ground path for that cable assembly. MC obviously does not have that strip. I'm just trying to find out what most EC's are doing. I'm getting conflicting answers from some of my fellow EC's and some in my contractors' association as to what their practices are. The following questions are in instances where an isolated ground is not required and for the purposes of this thread let's say were talking about 12/2 MC:
I know some of these questions seem kind of unusual for an experienced EC but these are some of the discussions I've had over the years. Many times I don't get straight forward "yes" or "no" answers. In many cases I get "I've always done it that way" or "that's the way I've been taught".
I'd appreciate any opinions any of you may have. If you have Code sections you can cite please include them but it's not required.
Thanks in advance.:thumbsup:
- If the MC jacket is considered an effective ground path do you still use green ground screws and bond green wires to the JB ?
- If the answer to #1 is yes are you just splicing the green wires together and leaving them tucked inside the JB ?
- Are you installing grounding pig-tails for the devices you are installing in the JB ?
- Are you using self-grounding devices ? If so, do you believe you still need grounding pig-tails ?
- If your run of MC leaves a breaker panel via the use of an approved MC connector can you terminate the load end into a plastic JB ?
- If the answer to #5 is yes, do you still need to use an approved MC connector or can you terminate the MC into say a 1-gang plastic nail-on JB ?
I know some of these questions seem kind of unusual for an experienced EC but these are some of the discussions I've had over the years. Many times I don't get straight forward "yes" or "no" answers. In many cases I get "I've always done it that way" or "that's the way I've been taught".
I'd appreciate any opinions any of you may have. If you have Code sections you can cite please include them but it's not required.
Thanks in advance.:thumbsup: