When terminating PVC conduit in a control panel male adapters were used with lock nuts. I know code discusses the need for an insulating bushing to protect the conductors during pulling on rigid metal but what about PVC on a male adapter that is made in a factory. Is that insulating bushing required on the PVC male adapter?
Insulating Bushings
- Thread starter ehawks
- Start date
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Bill Annett
Senior Member
- Location
- Wheeling, WV
- Occupation
- Retired ( 2020 ) City Electrical inspector
In 2004 I had the same Question, so I e-mailed Carlon. This was what they told me.
" A male Adapter is an adapter that provides a smooth insulated surface to protect the conductor. 300.4 F States that for ungrounded conductors 4AWG and larger the conductors shall be protected by a fitting that is smoothly rounded an is an insulated material, Which Carlon's Male adapters are. This is a gray area in the NEC. Several inspectors in the country still require bushings." This was stated by David Kendall, Director-Industrial Affairs, NEC CMP 3 & 8.
Since I have received that e-mail I no longer require bushings. But I do think that I is a good idea to install them.
" A male Adapter is an adapter that provides a smooth insulated surface to protect the conductor. 300.4 F States that for ungrounded conductors 4AWG and larger the conductors shall be protected by a fitting that is smoothly rounded an is an insulated material, Which Carlon's Male adapters are. This is a gray area in the NEC. Several inspectors in the country still require bushings." This was stated by David Kendall, Director-Industrial Affairs, NEC CMP 3 & 8.
Since I have received that e-mail I no longer require bushings. But I do think that I is a good idea to install them.
TOOL_5150
Senior Member
- Location
- bay area, ca
NEC 300.4 F as stated above for conductors #4 and larger. However, I use them sometimes when pulling through pvc to keep the connector from getting "string burn"
~Matt
~Matt
dcspector
Senior Member
- Location
- Burke, Virginia
Yeah 352.46 even quotes bushing or adapter.
IMM_Doctor
Senior Member
Are plastic bushings an expensive commodity and would mean (win/loose) the job if not bid accordingly?
I have had the luxury of having an independent industrial contractor work for me, that does EVERYTHING right to the letter. He even scolds me for even contemplating shortcuts. He is rewarming me to "Quality, and Craftmanship" standards that I think we should all heed.
I have had the luxury of having an independent industrial contractor work for me, that does EVERYTHING right to the letter. He even scolds me for even contemplating shortcuts. He is rewarming me to "Quality, and Craftmanship" standards that I think we should all heed.
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
No, but if you're doing a small job or service call, you don't have to feel guilty about not using an insulating bushing on PVC work if you don't happen to have one along. If you felt compelled to run after one for a PVC job, that would end up being one expensive insulating bushing. I still use them on the end I'm pulling into, particularly if that end will be unmanned during the pull.IMM_Doctor said:
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