Is this illegal

[garrisonm1]

I beleive this is illegal but my coworker told me it is not, can someone give me there view. What he has done is pushed mc into a pipe, striped on end of the mc so that it looks like there is wire pushed into the pipe to the box, and on the other end of the raceway he has the mc coming out of the pipe and running somewhere in the ceiling. My problem was can he strip the mc like that and put it into the box.

 

[goldstar]

Re: Is this illegal

It is my understanding that MC or AC cable has to be terminated with a proper connector at both ends because the armored jacket is part of the grounding system of the cable. Although the jacket of the MC cable may come in contact with the inside of the grounded metal EMT it is not properly bonded to the EMT unless you use a "from-to" connector (i.e from MC to EMT). Some of the others in the forum may be able to cite the code section.

 

[iwire]

Re: Is this illegal

There is a UL approved fitting to change from AC or MC to EMT, but without it you have no bond to the armor.

You said MC so the armor is not an equipment grounding conductor, but IMO will need to be bonded as any metal raceway would be.

If this was type AC you would not have a good equipment ground or bonding of the armor.

There is also the fact you have no strain relief for the conductors, if the MC gets pulled on it will be the wire terminations holding it together.

 

[physis]

Re: Is this illegal

It seems weird to me but I didn't find anything mandating a termination (I would think it only respectable) but what about this:

330.30(C) "Cables containing four or fewer conductors, sized no larger than 10 AWG, shall be secured within 300 mm (12 in.) of every box, cabinet, fitting, or other termination."

Based on your description it sounds like it is "supported" but I don't think it is "secured".

[ May 12, 2003, 04:03 AM: Message edited by: physis ]

 

[iwire]

Re: Is this illegal

The requirement for proper bonding is here.

2002 NEC

250.4 General Requirements for Grounding and Bonding.
The following general requirements identify what grounding and bonding of electrical systems are required to accomplish. The prescriptive methods contained in Article 250 shall be followed to comply with the performance requirements of this section.

(A) Grounded Systems.

(3) Bonding of Electrical Equipment. Non?current-carrying conductive materials enclosing electrical conductors or equipment, or forming part of such equipment, shall be connected together and to the electrical supply source in a manner that establishes an effective ground-fault current path.

(4) Bonding of Electrically Conductive Materials and Other Equipment. Electrically conductive materials that are likely to become energized shall be connected together and to the electrical supply source in a manner that establishes an effective ground-fault current path.

(5) Effective Ground-Fault Current Path. Electrical equipment and wiring and other electrically conductive material likely to become energized shall be installed in a manner that creates a permanent, low-impedance circuit capable of safely carrying the maximum ground-fault current likely to be imposed on it from any point on the wiring system where a ground fault may occur to the electrical supply source. The earth shall not be used as the sole equipment grounding conductor or effective ground-fault current path.

The requirement for a fitting is here, you can not enter the box or cabinet without a fitting.

2002 NEC

300.10 Electrical Continuity of Metal Raceways and Enclosures.
Metal raceways, cable armor, and other metal enclosures for conductors shall be metallically joined together into a continuous electric conductor and shall be connected to all boxes, fittings, and cabinets so as to provide effective electrical continuity. Unless specifically permitted elsewhere in this Code, raceways and cable assemblies shall be mechanically secured to boxes, fittings, cabinets, and other enclosures.

And this tells us it must be a listed fitting.

2002 NEC

330.40 Boxes and Fitting.
Fittings used for connecting Type MC cable to boxes, cabinets, or other equipment shall be listed and identified for such use.

physis, I agree with you that 330.30(C) would apply here as it would any time.

[ May 11, 2003, 06:30 AM: Message edited by: iwire ]

 

[physis]

Re: Is this illegal

Bob,

You probably know I'm trying to get a handle on using the NEC. Now I looked for at least a while trying to find what you found in article 300. Did you already know where it was, did you track it down by searching a bit, do you have the CD (I'm gonna get that, I need it) or was it as hard for you to find that as it is for me to find stuff?

Did you notice that FMC doesn't have to be secured if fished?

[ May 12, 2003, 04:22 AM: Message edited by: physis ]

 

[iwire]

Re: Is this illegal

physis, yes to all the above.

I do have the Handbook on CD, just got it a few days ago and IMO is worth the investment.

However I did not use the search feature to find what I did, Article 300 has a lot of important info that is worth looking to.

It is an Article which IMO is worth learning at least what kind of info is in there.

As far as FMC not needing support when fished, there is an exception for supports for any of the methods that can be fished.

If they did not put the exception for fishing, we would have to support it in the fished spaces, not so easy.

And as Roger said you are getting it, I probably missed other articles that would have fit the original post.

edited for poor spelling

[ May 12, 2003, 04:00 PM: Message edited by: iwire ]

 

[physis]

Re: Is this illegal

Thanks Bob

I always edit misspellings and miswordings, I don't like sloppy.

[ May 12, 2003, 05:49 PM: Message edited by: physis ]

 

[nprice]

Re: Is this illegal

Can anyone help me find out some information on the regulations of insulating network cables in a building? I have to fugure out if there is a code in which prohibits this.