I have to tap a circuit using 12-2NM. The cable runs across ceiling joists and goes down into stud walls at both ends. The run is straight with no slack. I know I can use 2 j-boxes to do this, but does anyone know a better way. Is there a UL listed "flying tap"

Never used them, do not know what they cost but they are made.




www.molex.com

[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 08-09-2004).]

A similar product to what Bob has shown is made by AMP. A simple inline tap costs around $3 wholesale. I have not used them either but I have spoke to people that have and apparently they are good.

Peter

I must be misreading this. Where in electricman's run would this tap splice doohickey go?

Is this type of tap connector permitted to be buried in a wall, ceiling, etc...or must it be left accessible for servicing as a juction box would?

Amp has a product that will splice or in line tap NM BUT I'M PREETY SURE IT IS ONLY LISTED FOR MOBILE HOMES see this page http://catalog.tycoelectronics.com/...3&RQS=C~11621^P~52148^M~PROP^N~2^G~G
It mentions compliance with articles 545,550,and 551. I have a cut from the manufacture at work and as I recall it has limited uses. We originally looked into the AMP item regarding manufactured homes and connecting the branch runs when the modules where slid together.


IWIRE do you know what the listing restrictions are on the product you posted it would be nice to know if it is acceptable in all occupancies.

Charlie



[This message has been edited by cpal (edited 08-11-2004).]

545.13 Component Interconnections.

This section covers their permitted use in a special occupancy for Manufactured Buildings only.

Joe as these connectors are covered in 334.40(B) wouldn't they be allowable for all occupancy's that NM is allowed?

If not what section prohibits using these in standard dwelling units?

The 2003 UL white book section NONMETALLIC-SHEATHED CABLE INTERCONNECTORS (QAAV)references 1999 NEC Section 336.21 and Articles 545, 550 and 551.

336.21 is now 334.40(B)

Bob

[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 08-12-2004).]

Bob:

See 300.15 Boxes, Conduit Bodies, or Fittings — Where Required.

A box shall be installed at each outlet and switch point for concealed knob-and-tube wiring.

Fittings and connectors shall be used only with the specific wiring methods for which they are designed and listed.

Where the wiring method is conduit, tubing, Type AC cable, Type MC cable, Type MI cable, nonmetallic-sheathed cable, or other cables, a box or conduit body complying with Article 314 shall be installed at each conductor splice point, outlet point, switch point, junction point, termination point, or pull point, unless otherwise permitted in 300.15(A) through (M).

For a "Boxless Device" See also:

(E) Integral Enclosure. A wiring device with integral enclosure identified for the use, having brackets that securely fasten the device to walls or ceilings of conventional on-site frame construction, for use with nonmetallic-sheathed cable, shall be permitted in lieu of a box or conduit body.

FPN: See 334.30(C); 545.10; 550.15(I), 551.47(E), Exception No. 1; and 552.48(E), Exception No. 1.

NECH:

Structural components or modules are usually constructed in manufacturing facilities and then transported over the road to a building site for complete assembly of a structure, such as a dwelling unit, motel, or office building.

At the on-site location, approved wiring methods are used to interconnect two or more modules.

Exhibit 545.1 shows a type of nonmetallic-sheathed cable connector permitted for such interconnections.

Exhibit 545.1 A type of nonmetallic-sheathed cable connector used for interconnecting modules in a manufacturing building. (Courtesy of Pass & Seymour/Legrand®)

Courtesy: www.nfpa.org




[This message has been edited by Joe Tedesco (edited 08-12-2004).]

Hi Joe, thanks for the answer but I am still uncertain on this, doesn't 334.40(B)modify 300.15?


If this does not modify the requirements of 300.15 what is this sections purpose?

Bob

[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 08-12-2004).]

Bob:

The switch, outlet, and tap devices of insulating material that are permitted to be used without boxes in exposed cable wiring and for rewiring in existing buildings where the cable is concealed, etc., it not referring to the product that is used in the 545, etc., areas.

I searched my image library, and could not find the tap devices mentioned, but I am positive that they are the type that we can still purchase that are usually made of brown plastic with the receptacles and or switch all in one enclosure sort of like an in line switch used in the cord on a table lamp.

I can see where the words can be misinterpreted.

Besides that rule was in the code long before the 545 stuff came about.

The 2003 UL white book section for these interconnects (QAAV) directly references 99 NEC 336.21 [now 334.40(B)]

2003 UL White Book Page 79 (QAAV)

Bob:

I found the image that describes the devices mentioned in Article 336.

Joe you seem to be ignoring the fact that the UL book section for the tapping connector I posted references 334.40(B) that makes them one and the same.

Different looking devices but covered by the same requirement, no?

Maybe UL is recognizing more products under that section then they used to.

Looking at it from another direction.

If these are suitable NM taps in a manufactured home how can it be said they are unsafe or unsuitable for stick built homes?

This is all academic as I will probably never use these connectors.

I do use Re-Locs on MC cable and it seems to me that these are nothing different then re-locs for NM cable.

The surface devices pictured have been recognized in the NEC since at least 1940, Sec. 3369. In 1951 the new phrase " - - in existing buildings where the cable is concealed and fished- - " was added, with no record of the proposer or the reason. My opinion is that this splicing device may be OK for manufactured homes and mobile homes, but there is no place for it in normal wiring. How UL listed this is a mystery to me. Creighton

Creighton thanks for jumping in on this and please anyone else please jump in too.

I do want to ask about this.


What is the difference, do manufactured homes deserve a lower level of safety?

NM is NM no matter how or where the dwelling is built.

Bob

I have been following this post on the side but I would like to re- introduce the question regarding the manufactures installation instructions. Are these things only listed for modular and or manufactured homes????

The Handbook features a P & S Legrand series connector that I have not been able to locate on web, I have visited the MOLEX site posted by IWIRE and they only refer to articles 550 and 551, although some of the text would lead you to believe the product is suitable for all installations. The language in 334.40 (B) as well as 300.15 appears to be permissive, but I would like to see a manufacture actually list the product for a stick built structure.

As I mentioned when I previously investigated this type of product the manufactures’ literature pretty much limited its use to article 550 and 551 installations.

I’m also concerned regarding unrestricted use of this product if it is so difficult to locate in a supply house or a Mfg.Web sites. UL’s white book is generally generic to a product and relies on the manufactures product markings to indicate the suitability of similar designed devices.

Well I guess I would like to see a more definitive listing to insure this product is acceptable in all occupancies.

Charlie

In case no one noticed on page 34 of this months EC&M issue there is a description of the device made by AMP. It states "approved for use in a variety of applications, including residential branch circuits, manufactured housing, and pre fabricated building structures." Since manufactured housing and pre fab is mentioned in addition to "residential" this indicates to me they are approved for use in a stick dwelling.
BigB

[This message has been edited by BigB (edited 08-15-2004).]

these taps and connectors are the ones i was referring to in another forum thread that was some pictures posted of a house with duck taped blocks in the crawl space. the company i work for uses them in emergency type repairs for nm in walls and in attic spaces. there is a manufactured houseing site near us and we do a lot of the hookups when they slide the 2 halves together aswell as setting the services to them. the literature provided by the wholesale house at the time is that they were suitable for use in the walls and in the attic (listed and labeled for nm, as nmwire is to be used fished in voids ETC.)the company policy is use them only as a last last resort but we have used them, they are easy to get but they are spendy about 3-4 dollars

I went on a service call for no power to a moba home.
Custumer said he was outside when his wife reset the circuit breaker,which tripped every now and then,noticed a flash each time at the foundation vent.
It was one of those #$@!^%$ connector!!
The thing failed and each time they had reset it,it started a small fire and burned itself out. Very bad idea to use these.My opinion.

These remind me of those multi splice things some guy showed a few months ago for doing fast wiring. a real joke.

my 2 cents