Connector

[Alwayslearningelec]

If you have insulated throat EMT connector do you need a bushing,? If non insulated you would not need a bushing obviously. Question is really about needing bushing for insulated throat.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

I'm referring to conductors larger than #6

 

[infinity]

If you have insulated throat EMT connector do you need a bushing

No. With very large conductors the insulated throats tend to break when the head of the cable comes through during pulling with a pulling machine.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

No. With very large conductors the insulated throats tend to break when the head of the cable comes through during pulling with a pulling machine.

Just to be clear a separate bushing is not needed when you use an insulated throw connector no matter what size

 

[augie47]

Not required but for reasons Infinity states a non-insulated with a bushing is preferable.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Not required but for reasons Infinity states a non-insulated with a bushing is preferable.

I have seen the insulating bushing have the same issue as the insulated throat connectors have. In a number of areas, it was common practice to install the bushing after the conductors had been installed. Protection for the conductors is needed both while the conductors are being installed as well as long term with the conductors pushing against the end of the connector.
That is why 300.4(G) was changed in the 2023 code.

(G) Fittings.
Where raceways contain 4 AWG or larger insulated circuit conductors, and these conductors enter a cabinet, a box, an enclosure, or a raceway, prior to the installation of conductors, the conductors shall be protected in accordance with any of the following: ...

 

[infinity]

I have seen the insulating bushing have the same issue as the insulated throat connectors have. In a number of areas, it was common practice to install the bushing after the conductors had been installed. Protection for the conductors is needed both while the conductors are being installed as well as long term with the conductors pushing against the end of the connector.
That is why 300.4(G) was changed in the 2023 code.

Many types of cable pullers require that the bushing be removed when attaching the machine to the raceway. So regardless of what the code says the conductors are getting pulled in without bushings installed. Hopefully they get installed after the pull but a lot of the time they do not.

 

[electrofelon]

I would like to see the product standard changed to require a more rounded end of the connector (or this actually enforced by UL if it already is required). Seems ridiculous, the sharp corners I see on these things.

 

[LarryFine]

Seems ridiculous, the sharp corners I see on these things.

PVC MAs are the worst.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Many types of cable pullers require that the bushing be removed when attaching the machine to the raceway. So regardless of what the code says the conductors are getting pulled in without bushings installed. Hopefully they get installed after the pull but a lot of the time they do not.

Some of those puller designs provide the required protection for the conductors as they are being pulled...300.4(G) probably needs an exception for that.

 

[electrofelon]

PVC MAs are the worst.

IMO pipe should have the chamfer too. I just did 5oo feet of 2" PVC and the non bell ends did have a internal chamfer which was nice, you don't usually see that.