ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Bonding Around Reducing Washers

As a substitute for reducing washers, one replacement is a threaded reducing bushing with a pair of locknuts. The intent is to yield better ground continuity and increased physical-damage withstand. (Say, limit the size to 2 inch.)
http://www.appletonelec.com/pdf/I-36.pdf is an example of the subject reducing bushing.

Would AHJs in your area accept or reject such an installation?

resqcapt 19: Do you remove paint around a knockout when installing an EMT connector and a locknut? If you examine the oversize KO you will find raw metal all around the opening. I believe the reducing washers are formed so as to make good contact with this raw metal edge - no need to remove paint. Naturally one must tighten the locknut thoroughly. Bjarney: Sure, I would accept the reducing bushing and I wouldn't remove any paint, depending on the locknut to dig through the paint. Creighton

Creighton,
In my opinion the teeth on the locknut are designed to meet the rule in 250.96(A). I believe that this is even part of the listing and when this rule was first placed in the code one of the EMT connector manufacturer's made a point, in their ads, that their locknut was listed for grounding without removing the paint. I see no way that a reducing bushing will provide an adequate fault clearing path if the surface paint is not removed.
Don

[This message has been edited by resqcapt19 (edited 05-09-2003).]

Thank you all for your replies, I appreciate the feedback.