Using Military Type Connectors for Residential

[AWinston]

I am working with a modular home manufacturer and they're trying to streamline their field installation when putting the modules together. My thought was to have use military type connectors as shown in the attachment to connect home run circuits between modules. This would allow the electricians to do 90% of the work in the warehouse and the field team would just need to hood up the connectors. Is there anything in the NEC that would address this? I assumed that as long as it's UL approved, there wouldn't be any issues.

Of course they would be rated for the environment and be keyed differently to prevent someone in the field from connecting the wrong plugs together.

 

[K8MHZ]

I am working with a modular home manufacturer and they're trying to streamline their field installation when putting the modules together. My thought was to have use military type connectors as shown in the attachment to connect home run circuits between modules. This would allow the electricians to do 90% of the work in the warehouse and the field team would just need to hood up the connectors. Is there anything in the NEC that would address this? I assumed that as long as it's UL approved, there wouldn't be any issues.

Of course they would be rated for the environment and be keyed differently to prevent someone in the field from connecting the wrong plugs together.
View attachment 20052

I doubt they are listed for use with NM or MC. I use them for radio stuff and would never use them for residential applications. Most of the Amphenol connectors are solder terminated, which is not allowed by the NEC. I also see no voltage or current ratings, so I doubt they would be suitable for 120/240 volt 20 amp or more circuits.

 

[AWinston]

I doubt they are listed for use with NM or MC. I use them for radio stuff and would never use them for residential applications. Most of the Amphenol connectors are solder terminated, which is not allowed by the NEC. I also see no voltage or current ratings, so I doubt they would be suitable for 120/240 volt 20 amp or more circuits.

Ahhh I didn't think about the solder joints. I haven't used these type of connectors in years.

 

[K8MHZ]

Ahhh I didn't think about the solder joints. I haven't used these type of connectors in years.

You would also have to figure out how to ground the metal housings, which usually are grounded by means of being mounted in a metal cabinet or by means of a small shielding wire, meant for RF, not for safety.

There are products available to connect two halves of a mobile home together that get buried in the wall. I had one fail and it drove me crazy looking for it. Nonetheless there are legal connectors already available.

 

[gadfly56]

I doubt they are listed for use with NM or MC. I use them for radio stuff and would never use them for residential applications. Most of the Amphenol connectors are solder terminated, which is not allowed by the NEC. I also see no voltage or current ratings, so I doubt they would be suitable for 120/240 volt 20 amp or more circuits.

Available in solder or crimp style, AC volts from 200 to 3,000 and amp capacity from 5 to 150. They don't seem to be UL listed but it probably wouldn't be too hard to to come up with a suitable design. One thing for sure, you won't be running 20 current carrying conductors in a single fitting. I'm guessing that maybe 6 per connector will be tops.

 

[K8MHZ]

Available in solder or crimp style, AC volts from 200 to 3,000 and amp capacity from 5 to 150. They don't seem to be UL listed but it probably wouldn't be too hard to to come up with a suitable design. One thing for sure, you won't be running 20 current carrying conductors in a single fitting. I'm guessing that maybe 6 per connector will be tops.

I just looked at the spec for the rear release crimp and I don't see any way it could be used with NM or MC.

Great catalog, though.

 

[petersonra]

I use them all the time but not for mobile homes, and not the solder version.

There are already connectors available for such use. Why try to put in something that is not meant for the purpose? I doubt they are UL listed either. MilSpec stuff does not mesh well with UL standards.

 

[augie47]

Most of the MHs I see simply have a 2 gang box with a few Romex cables spliced in that box with wire nuts. Its going to hard to beat that for simplicity & COST.

 

[Jraef]

Not only that, but I’ve run into situations with those military grade connectors where some OEM gets a rush rush contract and suddenly consumes all available units under a DOD priority number so your order gets cancelled, then it’s 10-20 weeks to get it filled.

 

[sameguy]

I am working with a modular home manufacturer and they're trying to streamline their field installation when putting the modules together. My thought was to have use military type connectors as shown in the attachment to connect home run circuits between modules. This would allow the electricians to do 90% of the work in the warehouse and the field team would just need to hood up the connectors. Is there anything in the NEC that would address this? I assumed that as long as it's UL approved, there wouldn't be any issues.

Of course they would be rated for the environment and be keyed differently to prevent someone in the field from connecting the wrong plugs together.
View attachment 20052

Model # A22899-000 Internet #202204326 Store SKU #302061
Tyco Electronics Romex Splice Kit 2 Wire, 1/Clam

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Romex Splice Kit 2 Wire, 1/Clam
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Questions & Answers (13)
This? Been around long time.

 

[FionaZuppa]

also look at marine industry uses. ez to get wire and connectors that work as needed, but perhaps will not meet the required code compliance.