romex wires into a service panel

[dkmorrow]

Hi,

I have 26 feeds to get into my new service panel. I need to pass more than 1 wire thru a romex connector. I have been searching various brands and have found multi cable rated conectors. Unfortunately I have not been able to find anybody local who carries a specific type, just the brand X type that do not have any ratings on the package.

Can I use a brand X type knowing that the national brands are rated for multi cable capacity ? or do I need to mail some connectors that have rating paperwork with them ?

 

[charlie]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

You need to use the connector that has the information you need on the box they came in. The listing by a NRTL will indicate how many cables my be used. BTW, if the connectors are not listed, the inspector may not approve the installation.

Bottom line, go cheep, go wrong.

 

[jro]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

Get you a couple of 2" plastic ko bushings, ko two 2" holes in your panel and job done, they work great in such an installation and inspectors have never had a problem, these are readily available at any electrical supply house, or Home Depot

 

[iwire]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

Originally posted by jro:
Get you a couple of 2" plastic ko bushings, ko two 2" holes in your panel and job done, they work great in such an installation and inspectors have never had a problem

That would never fly in this area, the inspectors here would either

1) Rip me a new one

 

[iceman2610]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

Check out this site.

http://www.aifittings.com/c_9.htm#NM94

 

[jro]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

Iwire where do you live on Mars And Iceman great website thanks.

[ September 15, 2003, 08:59 PM: Message edited by: jro ]

 

[Guest]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

We have established in previous posts that there is a two NM limit per NM connector.

It is my belief that NM must be clamped at the panel.

I always clamp NM and limit them to 2 NM's per.

My supervisor in 1994 used a 2" connector to bring all circuits into a panel. All work was inspected, but he never got gigged. He was very charming. It should not have passed-- and I never followed his lead on that one. I was not aware of rated connectors at that time-- and I guess I'm lucky I didn't get gigged for running two NM's per connector. The AHJ admonished me on one of my first jobs to limit myself to two NM's and he never mentioned using rated connectors. My information is dated, rusty, and dusty. Your mileage may vary.

Using a 2" chase nipple and bushing would create a draft into the panel, and it would not secure the NM's. The only way I see that working is to chase nipple into an adjacent J-box and run NM's into the J-box first limiting to 2 NM's per connector.

Of course with more description of your situation we can offer you a better and more complete answer. I'm not completely up to speed on your issue.

I'm going to ask my AHJ about the connector rating issue. Thank you for bringing that issue to my attention.

 

[iwire]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

No, I do not live on Mars,

312.5(C) Cables. Where cable is used, each cable shall be secured to the cabinet, cutout box, or meter socket enclosure.

Exception: Cables with entirely nonmetallic sheaths shall be permitted to enter the top of a surface-mounted enclosure through one or more nonflexible raceways not less than 450 mm (18 in.) or more than 3.0 m (10 ft) in length, provided all the following conditions are met:

(a) Each cable is fastened within 300 mm (12 in.), measured along the sheath, of the outer end of the raceway.

(b) The raceway extends directly above the enclosure and does not penetrate a structural ceiling.

(c) A fitting is provided on each end of the raceway to protect the cable(s) from abrasion and the fittings remain accessible after installation.

(d) The raceway is sealed or plugged at the outer end using approved means so as to prevent access to the enclosure through the raceway.

(e) The cable sheath is continuous through the raceway and extends into the enclosure beyond the fitting not less than 6 mm (1/4 in.).

(f) The raceway is fastened at its outer end and at other points in accordance with the applicable article.

(g) Where installed as conduit or tubing, the allowable cable fill does not exceed that permitted for complete conduit or tubing systems by Table 1 of Chapter 9 of this Code and all applicable notes thereto.

 

[Guest]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

The OP is about listed connectors for NM cables, however I have a question about iwire's post above:

Would it be OK to run a properly sized 18" nipple above the panel properly bushed; filled with NM's not to exceed fill capacity; and then sealed with conduit putty?

 

[tom baker]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

In my opinion no. 312.5 (C) now specifies a method, other methods may by logic, be not allowed. If you had a gutter/j box on the end of the nipple, with each NM cable properly secured, that should be OK. One important point is to keep the raceway under 24" so fill and derating don't apply.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

Wayne,
Just remember that the exception that Bob cited only applies to surface mount panels.
Don

 

[karl riley]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

And you can't strip the sheathing off the NM.
Karl

 

[dkmorrow]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

Hi,

I have a flush mounted box. I do not believe that 312.5(C) applies. My wires come in from the adjacent stud walls. Are there different rules for flush mounted boxes ?

I have checked out the Arlington website before. They seem to have the most useful info and the eng. staff seems to reply to my e-mails most of the time.

I have not been able to readily find Arlington connectors in So. Cal.

There was a previous post in April where I read that it was readily accepted in NEC 1999 that 6 cables were allowed in a 1 inch clamp.

 

[charlie]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

The following is from the GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT DIRECTORY, better known as UL White Book.

NONMETALLIC-SHEATHED CABLE CONNECTORS (PXJV)
Except for duplex connectors or when otherwise marked on the carton to indicate connecting of more than one cable or cord, the connectors covered under this category have been investigated for connecting one cable or cord only.

In other words, if the product is not marked for more than one, ya can't stuff more than one in it.

As I said in my first answer, "Bottom line, go cheep, go wrong."

 

[tom baker]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

"I have a flush mounted box. I do not believe that 312.5(C) applies. My wires come in from the adjacent stud walls. Are there different rules for flush mounted boxes ?" Yes it would be the way we've always installed, the rule cited above is an exception to 315.5(C).
If you have the incorrect number of cables in a connector you might as well put up a big sign "notice-AHJ here is a violation". It would be pretty easy for them to find.

 

[iwire]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

Tom, Don, Karl, and Charlie all bring up good points (no surprise here)

I thought that this was one code section that was self explanatory if I posted the whole thing.

I will try again a different way.

Here is the code article that IMO applies all the time.

312.5(C) Cables. Where cable is used, each cable shall be secured to the cabinet, cutout box, or meter socket enclosure

Simple and straight forward, cables shall be secured, this would mean connectors for each cable or connectors that are listed for more than one cable.

Unless you meet every one of the requirements of the exception.

There is no way a chase nipple and plastic bushing secures cables.

Bob

 

[jeff n]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

312.5(c)exception (a) - Each cable is fastened within 300 mm (12 in), measured along the sheath, of the outer end of the raceway.

Staple the cable. Just like entering a nonmetalic device box.

 

[jro]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

The installation I'm describing is for a residential panel in the Dallas Texas area, flush mount panel, the only thing the inspector asked was that I staple the romex 12" from the panel, but every jurisdiction has different requirements, but if you think about it, every romex installation is in violation of the NEC, because nail-on plastic switch boxes only have a KO and you can not install a connector, so then what.

[ September 16, 2003, 07:28 PM: Message edited by: jro ]

 

[Guest]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

Isn't the rule 8" without connector, or 12" with connector for accessible boxes?

 

[jeff n]

Re: romex wires into a service panel

awwt - my example was more about the STAPLE than the measurement. I used the 12' measurement because we are talking about 312.5 (C) exception (a).- for a nometalic device box the measurement is 8"