- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
I have an inspector insisting that a bushing (plastic) be used on NM connectors. I'm not finding that in the code. Is it in there or is he mistaken?
Bushings
- Thread starter Little Bill
- Start date
- Status
texie
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Collins, Colorado
- Occupation
- Electrician, Contractor, Inspector
That is absurd. Send him for re-indoctrination.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
I agree with Texie this guy is nuts. There not even required on SE cable connectors with conductors #4 and larger.
- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
Are they required on this type connector for sizes smaller than #4?
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
No. They're required on raceways with #4 or larger conductors. They are not required on cable connectors.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
You mean a romex clamp (that has two screws and metal plate that tightens on cable), he wants a bushing on that?
This is where a Mike Holt graphic is needed to show inspector.
This is where a Mike Holt graphic is needed to show inspector.
- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
I did a search for the word(s) bushing and bushings and the only places I saw were for raceways. That's what I thought to begin with.
- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
The only thing I found different concerning raceways and bushings was that PVC seems to require a bushing regardless of conductor size.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
That's often open to debate for conductors smaller than #4.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
The cable sheath acts as secondary protection.
PVC connectors are sharp!
PVC connectors are sharp!
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Greentagger
Senior Member
- Location
- Texas
- Occupation
- Master Electrician, Electrical Inspector
A 1/4” jacket is required to protrude fitting. This would provide conductors with protection and provide bushed effect.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Is that a fairly new requirement for a cable connector?
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
Pretty sure this been discussed here a long time ago and the results were that the 1/4" thing is mostly only for boxes that are permitted to have direct entry with no clamping device - limiting that to mostly just one gang non metallic device boxes pretty much everything else requires a clamping means.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
I seem to remember someone mentioned that at some point without any substantiation they added the 1/4" thing for all non-metallic cable connectors.
jimport
Senior Member
- Location
- Outside Baltimore Maryland
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
I seem to remember something from the 2017 update about this. Prior to this the sheath could end under the clamp and not extend into the box.
Fred B
Senior Member
- Location
- Upstate, NY
- Occupation
- Electrician
If your nm sheath did not enter the minimum perhaps the inspector saying to add the bushing as a result. Option would be add the bushing or pull in a little more sheath. If this is not the scenario, then as others state he's just wrong.
Many times the inspector might have just gone to a code course and something said (but not fully understood) stuck and he's got the wrong impression of the requirement.
Many times the inspector might have just gone to a code course and something said (but not fully understood) stuck and he's got the wrong impression of the requirement.
cadpoint
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
So, what about inserted throated fittings? It's not required and basically a waste of money , other than piece of mind through 6 AWG
1" shown.
& same with
1" shown...
I guess I need to review 300.4(F)
1" shown.
& same with
1" shown...
I guess I need to review 300.4(F)
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
In 2020 where I copied this from it is 300.4(G). I think insulated throat fittings fit under (1) or even (3).
A chase nipple on the non threaded end should fit under (2). I think I have seen chase nipples with insulated throat before on the threaded end though so no additional bushings needed if you would have that.
- Status