Panel Change outs

Merry Christmas

olly

Senior Member
Location
Berthoud, Colorado
Occupation
Master Electrician
I am dealing with a picky inspector. When doing a breaker change out can you put a 2" romex connector in the top and run all of the wires through it. Also is Ok to install the pictured romex connector upside down so the larger portion is in the enclosure?
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If you want to use multiple cables in a connector it has to be listed for the number and size of the cables that you're using. Unless the instructions that are part of the listing say otherwise I cannot think of a code section that would prohibit the connector to be reversed in the KO. They do make specific NM connectors for reverse installation.
 
I am dealing with a picky inspector. When doing a breaker change out can you put a 2" romex connector in the top and run all of the wires through it.
Have the documentation for the fitting you are using ready to show the inspector. If I am not familiar with a fitting and doubt it is listed for the use, I fail the inspection and tell them to either replace it in a way I know is compliant or get me documentation to prove it is correct. Either way works for me equally well... actually I like them sending me documentation better so that I can learn something. Oddly, I have found that most electricians would rather go back, tear something out and replace it, rather than looking up the product listing info, even when they know the product is listed for the application they are using it for.

Also is Ok to install the pictured romex connector upside down so the larger portion is in the enclosure?
Unless the instructions that are part of the listing say otherwise I cannot think of a code section that would prohibit the connector to be reversed in the KO. They do make specific NM connectors for reverse installation.
I would lean on the instructions from the manufacturer.
 
I would lean on the instructions from the manufacturer.
I've never seen manufacturer instructions with an orientation for installing a NM cable connector through a KO. I really dislike when someone installs a metal squeeze connector with the locknut on the outside and think that the practice of doing so should be prohibited.
 
I know it's not the same thing but I had a box of space saver EMT connectors once. I think it was a promotional thing.

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What of the connector doesn't state any specific allowed quantity/type? I just looked at an Arlington 849S and could not find any "allowed" cable size or quantity.. The way it works is it would have to state a prohibition , ot doesnt have to geant you permission.
 
I think the relevant code section is 312.5(C) each cable must be secured to the cabinet,
Unless you meet the exceptions that read like the instructions for the game 'twister'.
A senior NFPA CMP member Fred Hartwell once commented that 312.5(C) was one of the most debated controversial code sections under his committee, the CMP reports are littered with dead and rejected proposals to change that section over the last 30 years.
The idea is sparks and molten copper can happen in a panel and be pushed out of holes by air pressure and or rodents / dust or flammable materials can enter surprisingly small holes.
Now many manufacturers have come along with solutions, I think SQ-D had a weird panel you could just lay the wires in the top and then there are these:

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