HD AC cable connectors Junk.

E

Eddie702

Licensed Electrician
Location
Western Massachusetts
Occupation
Electrician
Doing some wiring in a 100 year old house. Still has 6 or 7 circuits with BX cable some of it the old cloth type. The insulation in some boxes is bad. I stripped back the AC cable and most is in good looks excellent shape its just at the terminations from what I have found. Light fixtures that have been over lamped is always a bad thing. Found some bare wire in two of them

I picked up a box of Halex Ac able connectors the saddle type at HD.

The first two I used the locknuts don't want to bite they spin around. Since its BX I insist on the connectors being tight at we all know that's the ground.
When you tighten the locknut past hand tight the locknuts jump a thread and are crooked on the connector. Die cast crap. I have some steel locknuts I have saved going to try those or return the connectors its that bad. And I am just getting them tight not over tightening. China crap I am sure.
 
Eddie702 said:
Doing some wiring in a 100 year old house. Still has 6 or 7 circuits with BX cable some of it the old cloth type. The insulation in some boxes is bad. I stripped back the AC cable and most is in good looks excellent shape its just at the terminations from what I have found. Light fixtures that have been over lamped is always a bad thing. Found some bare wire in two of them

I picked up a box of Halex Ac able connectors the saddle type at HD.

The first two I used the locknuts don't want to bite they spin around. Since its BX I insist on the connectors being tight at we all know that's the ground.
When you tighten the locknut past hand tight the locknuts jump a thread and are crooked on the connector. Die cast crap. I have some steel locknuts I have saved going to try those or return the connectors its that bad. And I am just getting them tight not over tightening. China crap I am sure.
Click to expand...
That's the problem.
 
I had the same trouble. I go out of my way to not use due cast fittings. Got spoiled years ago when my company only purchased all steel T & B real deal fittings. More then once after I made connections went over locknuts to make sure they were all tight & cracked a die cast locknut. While running 1/2 & 3/4" aluminum heavy wall we ordered T & B aluminum locknuts. Big mistake.Found the best way to snug them up was with Channelocks rather then a screwdriver .
 
For old steeel type AC I prefer the single screw connectors that have been around for 100 years over the saddle type.
 
I have seen the quality of materials go from bad to junk. It seems to me that no matter where you get them from HD or a supply house they all buy the same junk. This is sad.
 
I like the saddle type they clamp the armor tight. The squeeze type that looks like a 2 screw Romex connector are ok as well. I don't buy the single screw that can pierce aluminum amour, and I never know when I will run into aluminum.
 
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