Old style Box Connector?

[USMC1302]

A few years back I saw a picture here of a box connector that I'll call a "top hat" that someone had posted. These were used on my dad's house (built in 1960, silver paper sheathed nm?). Anybody know who made them/what they are called or have a picture? Thanks

 

[gaelectric]

Buchanon 1050?


https://www.northcoastelectric.com/Buchanan-1050/PD849425

 

[al hildenbrand]

A few years back I saw a picture here of a box connector that I'll call a "top hat" that someone had posted. These were used on my dad's house (built in 1960, silver paper sheathed nm?). Anybody know who made them/what they are called or have a picture? Thanks

Buchanon 1050?
https://www.northcoastelectric.com/Buchanan-1050/PD849425

Look at that! And they're still sold.

 

[USMC1302]

Thanks fellas

 

[qcroanoke]

Look at that! And they're still sold.

I have never seen much less used one of these....

 

[al hildenbrand]

I have never seen much less used one of these....

And I've seen maybe a handful over the decades of my work. They stuck out, to me, because they looked so home-spun and humble I immediately thought some DIYer had cobbled together a piece of tin can to act like a connector. Upon close examination I found they were real manufactured products, and left it there. It wasn't until GAElectric posted the link showing it as a Buchanan product that I learned WHO the manufacturer is.

I've only seen spot applications, never an entire job done with them.

 

[gaelectric]

We used to use them all the time. There is a trick or two to making them work right. Seems simple but not really. Seen a lot of them used improperly. Slip joint pliers or small channelocks work the best. Linemans don't work good at all.

Now that said, I wouldn't buy or use that product these days. Much better options available now.

 

[al hildenbrand]

We used to use them all the time. There is a trick or two to making them work right. Seems simple but not really. Seen a lot of them used improperly. Slip joint pliers or small channelocks work the best. Linemans don't work good at all.

Now that said, I wouldn't buy or use that product these days. Much better options available now.

Idle curiosity on my part. . . were/are they listed for more than one cable? Do you know off the top of your head?

 

[gaelectric]

Yes. It's allowable to install two 14/2 or 12/2. Single cable up to 10/3.

One good thing about them was if installed right there was almost nothing in the enclosure that would take up room.

 

[NorthwestPV]

I have seen these a lot in the Portland area along with Federal Pacific panels. They are a pain when doing a panel change. Especially when the electrician that installed them did not properly clamp down the connector and part of it folds out. Then they just don't open with channel locks.

 

[mjf]

Interesting, they are NM connectors and are specified for industrial and commercial but not residential use.