Bushing needed?

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ritelec

ritelec

Senior Member
Location
Jersey
Hello

On sight using seu 4/0

Out of meter and into panel using set screw squeeze connectors.

I usually just use plastic bushings on them but forgot them this morning.

Do I need them on squeeze connectors before I make a run for them?

Thanks.
 
A bushing is not required on an SE cable connector.

3-34 Log #579 NEC-P03 Final Action: Reject
(300.4(G))
________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Richard E. Loyd, Sun Lakes, AZ
Recommendation: Add text to read as follows:
(G) Insulated Fittings. Where raceways or cables contain 4 AWG or larger
insulated circuit conductors, and these conductors enter a cabinet, a box, an
enclosure, or a raceway, the conductors shall be protected by an identified
fitting providing a smoothly rounded insulating surface, unless the conductors
are separated from the fitting or raceway by identified insulating material that
is securely fastened in place.
Exception: Where threaded hubs or bosses that are an integral part of a
cabinet, box, enclosure, or raceway provide a smoothly rounded or flared entry
for conductors.
Conduit bushings constructed wholly of insulating material shall not be used to
secure a fitting or raceway. The insulating fitting or insulating material shall
have a temperature rating not less than the insulation temperature rating of the
installed conductors.
Conduit bushings constructed wholly of insulating material shall not be used to
secure a fitting or raceway. The insulating fitting or insulating material shall
have a temperature rating not less than the insulation temperature rating of the
installed conductors.
Substantiation: Adding ?Cables? is necessary, Large SE and MC cables are
used for services and feeders, the same condition exists in both raceways and
large cables (see photo below). Heavy conductors tend to stress the conductor
insulation at terminating points. Insulated bushing or smooth rounded entries at
both raceway and cable terminations will reduce the risk of insulation failure at
conductor insulation stress points. Please accept this proposal.
Note: Supporting material is available for review at NFPA Headquarters.
Panel Meeting Action: Reject
Panel Statement: Cables are required to be terminated in a listed fitting
designed for the specific wiring method and are so designed to protect the
conductors entering a cabinet, box, or raceway. The product standard, UL 514B
for cable fittings, Clause 5.3.1 requires ?A fitting shall be constructed to allow
assembly to a cable or raceway as intended without damaging the cable or
raceway. A part of a fitting that makes contact with an insulated conductor shall
be smooth and rounded.?
Unlike conductors leaving a bare raceway end, the cable fittings protect the
conductors from the enclosure and from the fitting.
Number Eligible to Vote: 14
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 14
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Thank you for the reply?

Took the ride, bushings on.


I don't understand the read. Where does it say bushing isn't necessary?
I saw the part about SE and MC but don't get it (not the sharpest pencil in the draw).


Where is that read from? I didn't see it in my book.

If the read truly states it's not necessary, does it hold water?

Thank you
 
Substantiation: Adding ?Cables? is necessary, Large SE and MC cables are
used for services and feeders, the same condition exists in both raceways and
large cables (see photo below). Heavy conductors tend to stress the conductor
insulation at terminating points. Insulated bushing or smooth rounded entries at
both raceway and cable terminations will reduce the risk of insulation failure at
conductor insulation stress points. Please accept this proposal.

The proposal was to add the word cables to require bushings on them too.
It was rejected.
 
ritelec said:
Thank you for the reply?

Took the ride, bushings on.


I don't understand the read. Where does it say bushing isn't necessary?
I saw the part about SE and MC but don't get it (not the sharpest pencil in the draw).


Where is that read from? I didn't see it in my book.

If the read truly states it's not necessary, does it hold water?

Thank you
Click to expand...

The NEC is a permissive code. (I'm not the first to say this) If it doesn't say you can't do something, then you can. Shall & Shall Not are used quite frequently in the NEC
 
qcroanoke said:
Substantiation: Adding ?Cables? is necessary, Large SE and MC cables are
used for services and feeders, the same condition exists in both raceways and
large cables (see photo below). Heavy conductors tend to stress the conductor
insulation at terminating points. Insulated bushing or smooth rounded entries at
both raceway and cable terminations will reduce the risk of insulation failure at
conductor insulation stress points. Please accept this proposal.

The proposal was to add the word cables to require bushings on them too.
It was rejected.
Click to expand...

I don't get it. It was asked to install bushings but was rejected?

Code says 4 and over to be bushed. Shouldn't that be end of story.? And is a SHALL be bushed ?
 
ritelec said:
I don't get it. It was asked to install bushings but was rejected?

Code says 4 and over to be bushed. Shouldn't that be end of story.? And is a SHALL be bushed ?
Click to expand...

The devil is in the details, as Dave stated the requirement for #4 and larger is for raceways not cables. The person who wrote that proposal felt that they should be required for SE cable too but the CMP rejected that idea.
 
ritelec said:
I don't get it. It was asked to install bushings but was rejected?

Code says 4 and over to be bushed. Shouldn't that be end of story.? And is a SHALL be bushed ?
Click to expand...

The reply to your post in quotes was a proposal to the Code Making Panel (CMP), to make it a requirement in the NEC to have to have bushings on fittings that contained #4 and larger conductors within cable assemblies. The CMP denied that addition to the NEC, saying it wasn't necessary because the fittings are made for that purpose. So basically, the CMP is saying that the bushing are not required in the code, and that they won't be adding any such requirement.

Long story short, you don't need a bushing on your fitting.
 
GerryB said:
I always use bushings but my understanding is not required because the sheathing extends past the end of the connector.
Click to expand...

Thank you all for your comments.

Let me see if I have this correctly, SEU "or" SER" Being a cable, it is acceptable to not Bush (george), Even MC or AC which being cables are not necessary to Bush (george)?
 
ritelec said:
Thank you all for your comments.

Let me see if I have this correctly, SEU "or" SER" Being a cable, it is acceptable to not Bush (george), Even MC or AC which being cables are not necessary to Bush (george)?
Click to expand...


Bushing are required on raceways not cables. Here's when they're required for raceways:

300-04F-UN300-13-CO8.jpg
 
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