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#1401 05/09/01 07:33 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
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Why do they call them 3/8" Connectors instead of 1/2"? They use 1/2" trade size threads, are for 1/2" wide cable, hmmm...That one has bugged me since my first day as an apprentice many moons ago...

[Linked Image]

(This was in another thread, but I thought it was worthy of it's own...)


-Virgil
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#1402 05/09/01 09:20 PM
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good one!
i wonder if there is some relation to thread size?
[Linked Image]

#1403 05/09/01 09:29 PM
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But the thread size is 1/2" trade (fits into a 7/8" diameter KO just like 1/2" GRC does...)

Nothing on it measures 3/8 of an inch!

It uses 1/2" Locknuts... the same ones that fit on a 1/2" GRC...

GE has one size smaller KO in their residential panels than a 1/2" trade size will fit... This would seem to me to be 3/8" trade size, but it's too small for 3/8" connectors!

What gives?


-Virgil
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5 Star Inspections
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#1404 05/09/01 09:45 PM
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dunno,
the 3/4" is just that
the 1" is also
every other connector follows suit...

hmmm, gotta find the box & read it..!

#1405 05/09/01 10:14 PM
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I just came to a realization! The reason I haven't read listing or labelling on a lot of materials is that I buy only what I need for the job, I'm so small-time that I rarely buy boxes or cases of anything... I don't have a 3/8" connector box, just a bunch of loose ones!

That explains a lot!

Anyway, yep, the other connectors agree with trade sizes... [Linked Image]

[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 05-09-2001).]


-Virgil
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#1406 05/09/01 10:48 PM
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The reason that they are called 3/8 is because back in the days before romex, when there was only BX and greenfield the BX came in 3/8", 1/2" 3/4 and so on, each requiring a seperate connector. However the 1/2 ko was suitable for both the smaller sizes, so it's threads and locknuts were used. Then the connectors evolved so that one connector could handle both 3/8 and 1/2 sizes. It's not so noticeable with bx anymore, but with greenfield there is an obvious difference between the sizes.

#1407 05/09/01 11:42 PM
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Thanks! Now I know!

[Linked Image]


-Virgil
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5 Star Inspections
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#1408 05/10/01 07:02 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
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thanks silverbk !

i was starting to think it was some sort of conspiracy....

[Linked Image]


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