Submitted by Joe Tedesco:



[This message has been edited by Webmaster (edited 07-23-2003).]

Looks to me as though the correct connector was not used--it's meant for NM cable, not type AC or type MC. (Although, there are dual-purpose connectors, correct?)

Also, it's possible they didn't use a bushing ("redhead") which should be visible.

How is the box containing the GFCI receptacle supported, by the way?

Also, is the MC cable properly supported?

This is something I get after coworkers about, although usually in larger sizes because the connector is not gripping the armor.

I agree with Think Good here.

Either they had no antishort bushing and used tape in place of it or they had an antishort bushing and needed tape to hold it in place due to the use of a NM connector.

When I tell coworkers not to do this they always will tell me that MC armor is not a grounding conductor and that the box is grounded by the insulated grounding conductor in the MC.

What they seem to overlook is that the armor is a metal raceway that needs to be bonded/grounded.

Couldn't find a IG GFCI?

Must be one of those cutting-edge hepcat IG-Ultra systems there's been so much buzz about. ;-)

[Oops. That takes orange tape.]


[This message has been edited by Bjarney (edited 07-23-2003).]

Hey! That tape for an IG is a great idea, wish I had thought of that. LOL!

Pierre

The screws don't appear to be nylon, though...

Yeah, that certainly doesn't seem to be a BX-type cable clamp. The ones I've seen in a certain DIY warehouse are roundish barrels with a set-screw to clamp on the metal jacket and a lock nut for the box.

The opening at the end where the wires exit is designed to hold the red bushing in place.

And yes. They're packed in clearly marked bags that have BX Connector or some such thing printed on them.

i belive there still exists two-screw amored cable connectors on the market, although they have fallen out of vouge.

a redhead is debatable here, i believe it would depend on the conn. listing, but i'm unsure

the cable sheath here is not a grounding conductor, i would however prefer it grounded.

There's a kind of "BX" cable that has an aluminium sheath. Instructions and notes that come with it insist that you not use the "setscrew" clamps. But a style clamp that squeezes the sheath, similar to the clamp in the picture.

Anyone ever have the aluminium sheath to clamp connection fail when a serious fault current happened? I'd think you could get a bad connection due to corrosion of the aluminium.

It looks as though dishes are stacked there, and if they are placed there wet (Even though it has GFCI) what about contact with the box with standing water?

Is it possible for water to leak between the gaps in the spiral metal jacket?

I saw some similar armored cable yesterday....running along the floor line of a building and dissapearing into the pedestal of a phone booth. Yup....outside.

I'm hoping it's just armored telephone cable and not the wiring for the little light in the "PHONE" sign. However it looked just as fat as 14-gauge BX.

Iwire,
I agree with your comments on Grounding flexible metallic conduit.
I recieved a nasty electric shock a few years back, from a piece of this that was used on a Hot Water cylinder.
It had been taped at both ends, because the guy couldn't stop the fuse from blowing everytime he switched the cylinder on.
I removed it (after I had re-gathered my composure) and found a large section of bare, blackened Phase wire in the middle of the conduit.
I hate people that don't explain faults properly!.

Trumpy that is truly scary work, I am glad you are OK.


Enough knowledge to know how to isolate the fault but not any commonsense to fix it.

Bob

I see no hazard, or violation.
There are 2-screw connectors listed for MC/AC; you would have to be able to see the inside face of the connector, or the box, to determine if this is such a connector. The difference? The MC/AC connectors have "lips" to prevent the metal jacket from entering too far.
You are not required to use the red bushings (anti-short bushings) with MC, only AC.
Common trade practice is to wrap the end of the MC/AC with tape, as well as the wires within. This either anchors the bushing, or protects the wire in lieu of the bushing.
It appears that this tradesman was conscientious.

I see a violation of 250.86

2002 NEC

The armor of MC cable is a metal raceway and needs to be grounded even though it is not a grounded conductor.

It is certainly not an accepted trade practice in my area to wrap with tape, we do use red heads by choice but we do not tape them in place.