HD AC cable connectors Junk.

E

Eddie702

Licensed Electrician
Location
Western Massachusetts
Occupation
Electrician
Doing some wiring in a 100 year old house. Still has 6 or 7 circuits with BX cable some of it the old cloth type. The insulation in some boxes is bad. I stripped back the AC cable and most is in good looks excellent shape its just at the terminations from what I have found. Light fixtures that have been over lamped is always a bad thing. Found some bare wire in two of them

I picked up a box of Halex Ac able connectors the saddle type at HD.

The first two I used the locknuts don't want to bite they spin around. Since its BX I insist on the connectors being tight at we all know that's the ground.
When you tighten the locknut past hand tight the locknuts jump a thread and are crooked on the connector. Die cast crap. I have some steel locknuts I have saved going to try those or return the connectors its that bad. And I am just getting them tight not over tightening. China crap I am sure.
 
Eddie702 said:
Doing some wiring in a 100 year old house. Still has 6 or 7 circuits with BX cable some of it the old cloth type. The insulation in some boxes is bad. I stripped back the AC cable and most is in good looks excellent shape its just at the terminations from what I have found. Light fixtures that have been over lamped is always a bad thing. Found some bare wire in two of them

I picked up a box of Halex Ac able connectors the saddle type at HD.

The first two I used the locknuts don't want to bite they spin around. Since its BX I insist on the connectors being tight at we all know that's the ground.
When you tighten the locknut past hand tight the locknuts jump a thread and are crooked on the connector. Die cast crap. I have some steel locknuts I have saved going to try those or return the connectors its that bad. And I am just getting them tight not over tightening. China crap I am sure.
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That's the problem.
 
I had the same trouble. I go out of my way to not use due cast fittings. Got spoiled years ago when my company only purchased all steel T & B real deal fittings. More then once after I made connections went over locknuts to make sure they were all tight & cracked a die cast locknut. While running 1/2 & 3/4" aluminum heavy wall we ordered T & B aluminum locknuts. Big mistake.Found the best way to snug them up was with Channelocks rather then a screwdriver .
 
I like the saddle type they clamp the armor tight. The squeeze type that looks like a 2 screw Romex connector are ok as well. I don't buy the single screw that can pierce aluminum amour, and I never know when I will run into aluminum.
 
Still have a few best ever T & B AC connectors with a clear insulating throat from when my first company closed up. Maybe the same blind testing agencies that gave approval for years on 50 amp receptacles for EV'S that burnt out within a year approved some of these horrible fittings. A few years ago we had several boxes of garbage die cast AC duplex AC connectors made in India. Not one box had a list for what size cable they were approved for. Supply houses and others should not be allowed to sell such unmarked products.
 
Eddie702 said:
The first two I used the locknuts don't want to bite they spin around. S
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When I was young I used to occasionaly work with a very old guy (WW2 guy) that constantly saved stuff like lockouts from commercial jobs, he had a old metal coffee can of them on his hi-lift. So I one day cleaning out my bag I tossed some locknuts in his can, he did not see me do it.
Later he and asked me did I throw some locknuts in his can? Yes I did, and that was a mistake.
I did not know he was saving only steel locknuts with two full threads in good shape, as the ones that come with NM connectors had started being di cast and only having one thread that would cam out.
He also insisted each locknut get tapped tight with a flat head and Linemans.
 
Eddie702 said:
I like the saddle type they clamp the armor tight. The squeeze type that looks like a 2 screw Romex connector are ok as well. I don't buy the single screw that can pierce aluminum amour, and I never know when I will run into aluminum.
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I assume the single set screw type aren't listed for aluminum. I know FMC connectors of single set screw type aren't listed for aluminum flex.
 
kwired said:
I assume the single set screw type aren't listed for aluminum. I know FMC connectors of single set screw type aren't listed for aluminum flex.
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If buy set screw, you mean the older type with just a screw then they can't be used on aluminum. The one screw saddle type has a foot under the screw to press against the cable armor.
 
I have always been a fan of the AFC-50 style, its easy to install and easy to remove unlike some other the other quick install brands that are easy to install impossible to remove. but yeah your probably not going to find it at home depot. I think its listed for BX, MC and 3/8 flex:

1768516383029.png
 
tortuga said:
I have always been a fan of the AFC-50 style, its easy to install and easy to remove unlike some other the other quick install brands that are easy to install impossible to remove. but yeah your probably not going to find it at home depot. I think its listed for BX, MC and 3/8 flex:

View attachment 2581483
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The large hospital/research center that I retired from prohibited these style of connectors even in office spaces. Was told their thinking was a connector with a lock nut made a better mechanical connection to boxes.
 
garbo said:
The large hospital/research center that I retired from prohibited these style of connectors even in office spaces. Was told their thinking was a connector with a lock nut made a better mechanical connection to boxes.
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...and we are sure they did exhaustive research to substantiate that thinking vs "I don't like those."
 
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