Unusual MC fitting

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Pierre C Belarge

Pierre C Belarge

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Location
Westchester County, New York
I came across this installation yesterday. It is the first time I have seen this type of fitting for MC cable.

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I asked the men working there if they had the box the fittings came in, and they did, here is a picture of the box as well.


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I looked online for these fittings and UL for the designation (MC FE), but could not find them.

Even though the box says UL, I am wondering if these are really UL listed.
 
I have seen them used before and the are available at one of my local supply houses ( not sure if they are the same brand ) you may want to look at other manufacturers to see if have a similar type and the listing. They look kind of cheesy to me I like the good old 2 screw ones that look like NM connectors with a stop on them. :smile:
After looking at the picture again I see why you question the installation, no wire nut on the black, and a ground clip insted of a ground screw On a new box to boot.
 
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I am sure the MC-FE means for steel jacketed MC only. Just like BX cable.

I don't think you can use them on aluminum jacketed MC because the screw can go right through the jacket.
We used to use them all the time, back in the day.
 
tkb said:
I am sure the MC-FE means for steel jacketed MC only. Just like BX cable.

I don't think you can use them on aluminum jacketed MC because the screw can go right through the jacket.
We used to use them all the time, back in the day.
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I agree... In fact I always have a box of 'em on the truck. Our inspector is pretty quick to point out that the connector has to be listed for the use - and it took a while for me to learn to stop & read the box - it will say what it can be used for , but there are some grey areas where they don't say outright that for example it CAN'T be used on alum MC... Only that it CAN be used for steel...Anyways I take it that if it says the type of cable it CAN be used with it's okay, and if it doesn't, it can't.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
In regards to the wirenuts, this system is not energized, it is a roughing only.
What is wrong with the ground clip? They are listed...ground screws are not listed. ;):grin:
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Ground clip is OK, but I would use a screw myself.
The screw doesn't have to be green or listed :rolleyes:, but you need to drill the wall behind the box so you can screw it in. That is probably why they used the clip.

Why not finish the job while they were there and put all of the wirenuts on?
 
tkb said:
Ground clip is OK, but I would use a screw myself.
The screw doesn't have to be green or listed :rolleyes:, but you need to drill the wall behind the box so you can screw it in. That is probably why they used the clip..
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Unless you use the boxes with the dimple on the bottom.

tkb said:
Why not finish the job while they were there and put all of the wirenuts on?
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My thinking as well. You're standing there already.... put the nuts on it. Now they's got to go back and do it.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
They would have to take the wirenuts back off to install the fixture. I see it as actually saving time, especially on a large job.
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Didn't know it was for a luminaire. Just assumed it was a j-box. Then why put one on the grounds? They'd have to hook up the luminaires' ground as well.

I'd still install nuts to keep drywall mud & paint off the connection.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
They would have to take the wirenuts back off to install the fixture. I see it as actually saving time, especially on a large job.
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I would have folded the ground in first.

I was taught to make up the grounds first, then the neutral and the hots last.
 
tkb said:
I would have folded the ground in first.

I was taught to make up the grounds first, then the neutral and the hots last.
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I learned just the opposite. Hot first, then noodle, ground last. But in this case, who cares..... they all gotta get pulled out at trim for the luminaire.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
IMG_4561.jpg



I looked online for these fittings and UL for the designation (MC FE), but could not find them.

Even though the box says UL, I am wondering if these are really UL listed.
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They sell the same thing at big blue. Made in India via Ohio:mad:
Yes, hello my friend these are very much good ones.
 
I noticed on the box that the UL sticker said UL listed conduit fitting. It also comes in size 3/8 which leads me to believe that these may be listed for 3/8 flexible metallic conduit.

Chris
 
raider1 said:
I noticed on the box that the UL sticker said UL listed conduit fitting. It also comes in size 3/8 which leads me to believe that these may be listed for 3/8 flexible metallic conduit.

Chris
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The stickers lists the uses for 14/2 - 10/3. Seems like a compliant installation.
 
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