armored cable and romex

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jp_electric

Member
I have a quick question? i don't have a code book in front of me but I'm changing out a 100 amp fuse box and adding a 200amp service. the existing wires in the fuse panel must be extended. The are armored cable. can i terminate them in a junction box. then extend them with NM cable to the panel. i remember reading if you start with a wire method finish in it. but i didn't know if that applied to old constructiuon.. Thanx
 
Re: armored cable and romex

I see no problem in useing a junction box and then NM or if possible to land them in new panel you could exstend them in it.Do not forget about box fill and grounding
 
Re: armored cable and romex

ok i more question? no one is living in the house.i am doing the service tomorrow. it gets inspected on monday and the utility is coming to redue the splices and possibally change trans. instead of spending about $25 in bugs to temperary connect service for 2 days so there is heat and the pipes dont freeze. is there a violation in using like 1" romex connectors to make up the splice?
 
Re: armored cable and romex

This was a common practice (by many contractors) in the lower NY area for twenty years. Five years ago the utility company changed its procedure and this has ceased. I am not saying I advocate it, just that I saw it as common practice for years.
Yes it did create many problems which we were all able to witness, fires etc... I would not do it even if two days does not seem too long for this connection.

Pierre
 
Re: armored cable and romex

Well at least we agree on something.That neutral coming loose scares the hell out of me.And just what happens if someone moves in sunday.The chances are slim but not worth it.
 
Re: armored cable and romex

You could have a dozen different wiring methods in any given branch/feeder in new construction as long as they're interfaced and spliced correctly.
 
Re: armored cable and romex

Jim, I know where Pierre is coming from. I made more "temp" service drop connections than I care to remember. I wouldn't even consider it today and I am glad the practice is no longer "accepted" on LI anymore.

[ January 30, 2004, 07:50 PM: Message edited by: speedypetey ]
 
Re: armored cable and romex

romex connectors?? wow, i wouldnt even do that and im the arc-fault man
;)

Why all the splices??, In My opinion every splice is a trouble point, I avoid them whenever possibe, i dont know your current situation, but why cant you just run the Bx to the panel??
 
Re: armored cable and romex

nift21 ,it is all part of the change out game.Things some times just don't match up.Very seldom will all the wires reach there new location.And we do not want a major rewire.If he takes some 4 squares and blanks he will have no problem.
 
Re: armored cable and romex

Usually in this situation with an old fuse panel and a new panel the cables will at least reach the top of the new panel since it is much larger you can mount it so the top is higher than the old. You should be able to at least wire nut the short conductors in the panel.

If that is not possible I would do a short trough or screw cover box above the new panel connected to the panel with maybe two 1-1/4" nipples. Make your splices in the box and run THHN down through the nipples into the panel. This looks a lot more professional than some 1900 boxes with a bunch of NM coming out! :eek:
 
Re: armored cable and romex

jp_electric, I'm a little confused.
In your first post you were talking about extending branch conductors to a new Breaker Panel. Right? In your second post, I'm assuming you are talking about temporarily making up the service drop using romex connectors as clamps. Right?
steve
 
Re: armored cable and romex

Cutler Hammer introduced a re-model panel last year that has extra ground/neutral bars just inside the top of the panel. Has anyone ever used it?
Sorry, but you need the split bols, Fargos, or H-taps for the temp connect.
Preferably use 2" tape, first wrap normal, then twist and wrap with sticky-side out.
Ask PoCo service dept. to leave your bugs on top of meter can. They always do this for us.
 
Re: armored cable and romex

If you use H-Taps (compression connectors), just snap on a factory cover and the electric utility will normally leave them in service. They will make as good a connection as they use. :D
 
Re: armored cable and romex

The Utility company now has electrical contractors making the permanent splice for overhead services 200 amp and smaller. We very rarely will see the POCO guys anymore. The POCO supplies the bugs, but we have to send in a work request and then pick them up when released - a pain in the neck. One of the good results is, the scheduling to tie in service upgrades is not a problem anymore.

Pierre
 
Re: armored cable and romex

Pierre, we are in the same position now except that we have to buy the bugs. The POCO specs a certain Fargo connector and cover.

Most of the new homes (mostly #%*@ modulars) have underground services though. Easy for us. Install the service and pole riser, POCO comes to hook it up. No appointment necessary.
 
Re: armored cable and romex

Well the service is in. I used the bugs. no one is moving in for a while the house is going up for sale. I didn't think the romex connectors would be a problem being the only thing that would be running is a gas furnace.but i used bugs thats over. i wouldn't have mentioned it if someone would be living there. or if more power would have been drawn. but now my problem is that the SE cable must have been to cold and about 1-1/2 of it split near entrence to the house. so i'm probally going to have to change that before it gets inspected on tues
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top