romex clipped

[problemsolver600]

On firing up a new circuit yesterday, it fired back. The problem traced down to a burr on the inside of the top part of a romex connector, apparently slicing into the hot conductor. My first thought was that there is really no way to have avoided this, but then I remembered that I had switched to a lower cost supplier. Now my chase nipples were 1/2" instead of 3/4", the flex connectors required a fight to make the fitting, etc.. You do get what you pay for!!

 

[bphgravity]

Re: romex clipped

One sure test method is to check continuity between all the ungrounded conductors to the panel enclosure and/or EGC bar before energizing the circuits. This can save damaging the conductor, devices, and equipment from the high currents and arc flash that could result.

 

[petersonra]

Re: romex clipped

Originally posted by problemsolver600:
On firing up a new circuit yesterday, it fired back. The problem traced down to a burr on the inside of the top part of a romex connector, apparently slicing into the hot conductor. My first thought was that there is really no way to have avoided this, but then I remembered that I had switched to a lower cost supplier. Now my chase nipples were 1/2" instead of 3/4", the flex connectors required a fight to make the fitting, etc.. You do get what you pay for!!

OTOH, you learned a cheap lesson on why you need to be careful when trying to save yourself a few bucks. While doing things the cheap way is often acceptable and provides for a decent installation, sometimes you get burned. Having to "fight" to make the fitting might have been a clue something was up. There are often good reasons (as well as not so good reasons) why things are commonly done in a certain way, even though there may exist less expensive ways of accomplishing the same thing.

 

[problemsolver600]

Re: romex clipped

Thanks for the reminder, but the "fault" didn't show up with a 9 volt continuity tester, only with the "20 amp 120 volts surge test".