Amp Connectors and 334.40(B)

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A few years ago, a buddy of mine remodeled his kitchen. He opened up a common wall to the powder bath & there were 2 of the biggest fly taps I've ever seen. When I grabbed a wire nut on several neutrals, the wire nut disintegrated in my hand. The conductors were discolored & brittle. My friend was not too far from an unpleasant mess. Just say NO to fly taps. BTW, he has a standing order from me that any time he does even the slightest electric remodel, I want to see what the previous HO/DIYer did.
 
Sierrasparky said:
Has anyone seen the conector from AMP . Amp claims it meets NEC 334.40b
code requirement for eliminating junction boxes. Does this really mean that you can eliminate a junction box when reworking an old installation?
I had seen this type of connector on a mobile home once. I wonder how good they are?
http://www.ampnetconnect.com/product_cut_sheet.asp?grp_id=2299&sub_grp_id=2307&bpn_id=5425_id=5425
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Don't know what nec says about these but they use them to connect sections of modular homes. They are accessable until the ho or contractor finishes the basement ceiling.
 
I've seen those AMP and MOLEX type connectors buried in the marriage walls in double-wide mobile homes and modular houses.

I would not use such a connector in my house, as I have been called on to repair too many failed connections in new houses.

When the failed connections were buried in the wall, and inaccessible, we ended up having to back-feed the circuit with a new home-run, and abandon the original circuit feeder.

I don't recommend them.:mad:
 
I separated these new posts out from an 2 year old thread that we closed.

Please feel free to continue the discussion here. :smile:
 
I agree with the above, flying splices are to be avoided and removed at every opportunity.

The last time devices like these came up, they were approved only for mobile home use. I wonder if this has changed? :confused:
 
I had noticed this product in a recent issue of ec&M. Amp claims to comply with the current code.
I am always asked by the most affluent people "can't you just bury the box"
I just don't want to be a liar as I have alwas said " code say's you cannot"
If this device is allowable to fished in a wall and concealed as the code states. Then I would be lying to the customer about being able to bury a splice behind the drywall. If these are code compliant I guess I can say Yes if you use this device but they do fail from time to time.

In the old days if a customer asked to move a box It was sure eaisier with flex conduit, I would just extend it and pull in longer wires. Done deal..
 
Sierrasparky said:
If this device is allowable to fished in a wall and concealed as the code states. Then I would be lying to the customer about being able to bury a splice behind the drywall. If these are code compliant I guess I can say Yes if you use this device but they do fail from time to time.
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You can always say that it's just like stab-wiring with #14: yes, it's legal, but I wouldn't do it.

I don't like stab-wiring; however, I confess that I have used the T-tap twice, and both times for the exact same thing: adding a recessed (clock) receptacle behind a wall-mounted flat-panel TV.

The load is a known quantity, and not an entire circuit's load. The alternative would be two J-boxes with an added piece of cable between them, because there's little slack along the existing cable run.
 
That's the first time I've seem one of those. I view that the same as stab connections. I never use stab nor would I use this. I think wire nuts hanging free is safer then this.
 
I have seen them , never have used them , might not either. I wonder how many hundreds of thousands there are in field and of those how many fail. Life and all it encompasses is chock a block full of failure, the question is are these things more likely to fail than the other things and what happens when they do.

The code article is 334.40 (b)
 
Yes these are legal for the application stated. I have seen hundreds of these in the modular type installation, of course with failures.

I kind of chuckle when I hear how much they fail.
My question is, what is the actual percentage of failure?

I ask this, because I also see failures in the "good ole fashion" method as well. It is just that there are so many more "good ole fashion" method type splices. Yet I still wonder what the percentage is ???

Remember that the failures of splices in our industry are mostly a "human error" type failure, not always the equipment used for splicing.

Maybe it just takes more talent to make the Amp/Molex splices :wink:
 
Amp Connectors and 334.40(B)

I haven't done any wiring for a long time (others than favors for my family)but the last time I wired a modular home I cut those connectors off and used j boxes.I wonder if I violated any listings of the manufactured home?
Well if i did so be it I still think it made for a better job.
 
sorry to barge in this late at this time but really for this type of connector i know it do approve per NEC but for me it will not really last very long you have to understand that underside of doublewide / manufactered homes when you make the splices where it don't have basement the biggest issuse is the condsetion over the time it will corroled the connection and fail.

i know i did see 3 peices fail so far this year but last year i havent see much at all.

but for that type of splice inside the wall IMO it dont fly with the codes at all and i feel that the DIY will go crazy with this peice of [ whatever you called ] and get this screw up

Merci , Marc
 
Marc, If there is that much moisture , the N.M should not be there to tap from. 334.12(B)4.2005 Nec. I would call this excessive dampness if it degrades the device to the point of failure.
 
M.D. unforetally there were some area i did see it was very poor designed/ location of the tap / splice connector location and majorty of my time when i do the repair i have to move the connectors to proper loaction where the moistore dont affect the connection which i go with standard j-box and use the blank cover and insluated or guard where the wind or snow or high humity dont hit the box and i did make a provision to drain moisture as well


George ;

indeed you did make a valided point there with the devices but unforetally some case the manufacter dont even bother to put a j-box where the " crossover " connection will be between the two halfes of the Mobile home / Manufactered home

but some case i did see the siuation where they throw the " common sense " right out of the window per nec code and use the other code i think it have to related to the UBC unless i got brain frezze and speak the wrong term here



thanks again
Merci , Marc
 
frenchelectrican said:
but for that type of splice inside the wall IMO it dont fly with the codes at all and i feel that the DIY will go crazy with this peice of [ whatever you called ] and get this screw up

Merci , Marc
Click to expand...

Note the third item from the bottom. I've never used one of these, but I can think of a time or two I wish I'd had one ;-)

Features and Benefits:

* A double-latching system provides positive connection security when required, but is fully releasable so the connector can be mated and remated as needed during the manufacturing process and for dealer display
* Once the connector is closed, the strain relief is automatically set into place so screws and human factors are not a worry
* No special tools required, just pliers
* Large markable surface area on housing allows for easy circuit identification, eliminating crossover circuit mix-up
* Double insulation displacement contacts provide maximum conductivity and reduce voltage drop to a bare minimum
* High impact, crystal clear strain relief cover provides durability and allows for complete visual inspection
* Simple two-piece construction provides for ease of use and eliminates the worry of losing small parts
* UL listed to be connected and disconnected while under load
* UL listed and CSA certified as a self-contained junction box for use in concealed areas such as walls, floors and ceilings
* Hermaphroditic design mates with itself so there is only one part to order and inventory
* Dual mounting holes accept screws or nails
 
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