RedHeads - The Story Of My Life

Status
Not open for further replies.
tallgirl

tallgirl

Senior Member
Location
Glendale, WI
Occupation
Controls Systems firmware engineer
I went looking for the thickness required for a nail plate that needs to be put up where some MC cable goes around a column in my basement (can't find one wide enough - most are framing member width), and stumbled across something saying redheads aren't needed with MC cable. Found this nice bulletin.


Not believing that was the last and final word on the subject (not that I cared, I've been dutifully cramming one in each piece of MC as I did my thing), I dug further.


I'm not going to stop putting them in there.
 
Julie, this has been posted here in the past and to go with it look at the difference in the wording of 320.40 and 330.40.
 
hbiss said:
Me neither. But why do they give you a bag of them with the cable? :unsure:

-Hal
Click to expand...
I think it boils down to manufacturers recommending using them for MC but not requiring it, basically a CYA on their part.
 
tallgirl said:
I went looking for the thickness required for a nail plate that needs to be put up where some MC cable goes around a column in my basement (can't find one wide enough - most are framing member width) . . .
Click to expand...
Look in the plumbing section:

www.homedepot.com

Oatey 5 in. x 8 in. 16-Gauge Stud Guard Safety Plate 33517 - The Home Depot

This wonderful Oatey 16-Gauge Safety Plate Protects pipes and wiring installations from nails. Rigorously tested and proven to last in many conditions.
www.homedepot.com

www.homedepot.com

Oatey 1-1/2 in. x 9 in. 18-Gauge Stud Guard Safety Plate 33531 - The Home Depot

Oatey Safety Plate offers a complete range of pipe support products for all of your application needs. Rigorously tested and proven to last in many conditions.
www.homedepot.com

www.homedepot.com

Simpson Strong-Tie PSPNZ 5 in. x 16-5/16 in. ZMAX Galvanized Protecting Shield Plate Nail Stopper PSPN516Z - The Home Depot

Simpson Strong-Tie - ZMAX Nail Protection Plate 15 in. W 16-5/16 in. L Galvanized - Nail Stoppers help prevent nails from piercing pipes and electrical lines. Meets IRC, IBC and the International Plumbing
www.homedepot.com

www.homedepot.com

Simpson Strong-Tie PSPNZ 5 in. x 8 in. ZMAX Galvanized Protecting Shield Plate Nail Stopper PSPN58Z - The Home Depot

Simpson Strong-Tie - ZMAX Nail Protection Plate Galvanized Steel - Nail Stoppers help prevent nails from piercing pipes and electrical lines. Install over utilities that pass through framing members. - THD SKU# 115720
www.homedepot.com
 
roger said:
Larry where is this?
Click to expand...
Can't say in the NEC, but it's one of those always-done-it-that-way things.

Something between the individual conductors and the cut metal ends.

Not needed if the wires are covered by a jacket such as NM or UF cable.
 
SH and Big Box here don't even carry AC. I've never seen any modern AC, seen plenty of old BX.

As for why mfg put the red heads in the roll, I read an explanation from a mfg that it was just to keep things the same when packaging. IOW, the packers don't have to think about it. I didn't see where they recommended it, just that they included them.
 
Story of my life is a brunette that somehow puts up with me (my wife is Italian)
I thought this thread was going to be about red hair.
 
If handy I'll put them in. I also use them in the gem boxes with internal clamps but not so often in the arlington connectors but if there I'll put it in. The little I use mc I end up stripping with my diagonals most often so I want to be nicer to my wires.
 
Macmikeman almost always puts a red head in when running MC Cables. They are free with the roll of the cable. I know all about the code not requiring it.. The code doesn't require taping receptacle outlets either, but I do for metal gem boxes with f-clips sitting a mere 1/8" away from receptacle terminals. Both things make sense. Both things are better installations. Remembert this- Wire is fire. Think about babies and children burning in a fire because it wasn't a code requirement. Nor will that fake AFCI stop the flames. Merry Christmas everybody.
 
LarryFine said:
MC, no. AC/BX, yes. Any metallic flex in which you install wires, yes. Known it for decades.
Click to expand...
That includes FMC and LT flex. About only place I've seen such a bushing is on the factory installed pigtail for cooktops and ovens. I always figured it is more for protection during shipping type of thing than a requirement to be installed with it. I doubt you can go to supply house and ask for this bushing to put in your field cut pieces of flex and they actually have a product other than if there are places that maybe do frequently sell larger sizes of AC cable might have something on hand.
 
kwired said:
I doubt you can go to supply house and ask for this bushing to put in your field cut pieces of flex and they actually have a product other than if there are places that maybe do frequently sell larger sizes of AC cable might have something on hand.
Click to expand...
I have an assortment of bushings, from the smallest MC cable up to 3/4" or 1" FMC.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top