\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Required fields are marked *. If you go to the trouble of making the correct size hole in the box and using an approved clamp you can use other methods, but you still have to watch for the grounding conductor. Step 6: Remove the PVC. In this guide we will take a look at SWA cable and how its used. brown for live, blue for neutral etc. I am laying some armoured cable (specification for direct burial) to replace the horrendous bodge that some previous owner installed to power the pond pump, and also to provide an extra outside socket. In general, the length of a junction box is between 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 inches, and it's typically composed of metal and hard plastic. With a 3 core armoured cable you will have brown, black and grey inner cores and they are often used as follows: As you can see from the above, the black is generally used as the earth and it should be sleeved with earthing sleeve to indicate this. http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Earthing_Index/Piranhna_Earth_Nuts/index.html, Armour cable connection to a consumer box?/. Where does it come out of the wall? What You Need Materials Code-approved electrical box Cable clamps (for a metal box) Tools Voltmeter or non-contact circuit tester Wire Strippers Hammer Lineman's pliers Knockout Non-Metallic Push-In Connector (100-Pack) with 161 reviews and the with 138 reviews. JavaScript is disabled. The family room receptacle circuit currently is a branch off the garage and laundry room light circuit, which I was thinking of connecting to the new recessed and other lighting fixtures for the family room, then running a new home run for the receptacles. For the sake of a small extra cost, it is better to purchase 3 core cable, which includes a separate earth lead. I actually don't remember which edition of the NEC this was clarified. Notching in the bottom substantially increases the compression in the top, creates a point of . I didn't think you could just drill a hole in a junction box. Tightening collar nut using spanner. I was going to get two of the "screw in" type connectors that thread internally into the MC cable and get secured to the box with a lock ring, but the big box store didn't have those except by the box of 100. The same is the case for the other cores, if using other than standard then you need to indicate this through the use of tape or sheathing for the correct colour e.g. Many inspectors will want to see the "listing label" for your cable so they can verity that it conforms to the code requirements and standards for cable construction. Carefully inspect the interior insulation to make sure none of the conductors have been exposed by nicks or gashes. Step 3. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Retain the label or package for later inspection. There are however others but these are generally reserved for more specialist industrial applications. Double-check within anyone else working with you, for safety, before proceeding to the next step. Back to Cable Management Electrical, Cable & Junction Boxes Protect essential wiring connections in the home or office with a range of junction boxes at Toolstation. Show more abrelectric 5K views 6 months ago BX Wiring: Top 5 Issues | Jesse. The clamps in the box are most likely for NM cable though, so you need to use a knockout with an AC cable clamp. Thanks for the prompt advice. In this DIY guide you will learn how to correctly use and connect up armoured or SWA cable. When installing SWA steel wired armoured cable it best to use 3 core - 1.Phase / Live, 2.neutral, 3.CPC Earth. is using 6mm armoured cable you should use 6mm earth cable etc. You can just pirana nuts for termination into plastic - they are quite nifty! The best method is to use an armored cable rotary cutter. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads. 1: Where internal bonding means are provided between all entries, nonmetallic boxes shall be permitted Installation of cable glands must be carried whilst following the appropriate codes of practice, local regulations and in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. In the event I run into this situation Ill use a double inlet type mc connector so there is continuous metal contact. I believe he has a flexible conduit with wires preinstalled in it (a whip for connecting air conditioners, etc..). for plastic cable accessories. In most cases this is done in the same way that any other electrical cable is earthed by using one of the inner cores. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. You are using an out of date browser. armored cable extending from the appliance should be connected directly to the junction box. In summary if a cable is to be run externally, regardless of whether its buried or surface mounted or is going to be used in industrial locations around heavy machinery then armoured cable should always be used.Armoured cable running externally from a house to a garageif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'diydoctor_org_uk-banner-1','ezslot_6',684,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diydoctor_org_uk-banner-1-0'); Armoured cable running externally from a house to a garage. Exception No. First slip the earth tag over the threaded sleeve and then push the sleeve up through the base of the enclosure and then pop the threaded sleeve retaining nut on the shredded sleeve and then screw it down and tighten fully with a spanner. If you do not have a ground wire in the cable, you are going to have a problem attaching grounds in the box to just a cable clamp. This article has been viewed 79,772 times. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. Location under a stairwell made impossible to fish the cable through walls & ceiling. Low smoke and toxic and corrosiand. Wires coated with insulation that is black, red, or another color are hot wires, carrying power from the service panel to the electrical device. The trench is then back filled with soil. Can Conduit Fittings be returned? Single plastic boxes do . Single pair shielded thermocouple extension cables shall be used between thermocouple head and junction boxes / transmitters / local control panel mounted instruments. Your email address will not be published. You must log in or register to reply here. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. How would you freshen up this exterior on a $10,000 budget! Therefore, it maintains an "internal" bond to itself. but I would use the gland and nut with a washer either side of the plastic for strength if the cable is earthed E electronicsuk Joined 7 May 2007 Messages 3,316 Reaction score 276 Location Lincolnshire Country 15 Apr 2009 #3 The reason there is a 1/2" knockout in that plastic 1900 box is for running larger sized NM cables like 10/3 or 10/4 or an 8/3 wire. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. IP68 External/Outdoor Waterproof Junction Box,3-Way Cable Connector, 3-Way Cable Connector Wire Electrical Junction Box For 5mm-15mm Diameter Cable,Black Plastic Armoured Cable Connector - 3REE. If you are running the cable down the surface of the wall and not inside the wall, then I would run the cable in EMT on the surface of the wall using one of the clamps mentioned earlier, then to a 4" square box at the end (which gives more room to work compared to a single . Duh, don't know why I thought I could do that". To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Nonmetallic boxes shall be permitted. 3 Step 1 - Assemble the gland parts on the wire 4 Step 2 - Stripping the outer insulation and cutting the amour 4.1 Stripping just the outer 4.2 Cutting the armour 5 Step 3 - Stripping the bedding or inner insulation 6 Step 4 - fitting the gland cone section 7 Step 5 - sealing the back of the gland 8 Step 6 - Connecting to your box Jeez. Holes are made in junction boxes, cut out boxes, etc. This video will help you work with older electrical conduit and junction boxes to connect to modern Romex cable. If the metal box is along side the plastic CU or whatever, then the cores of the SWA can pass through the metal box that holds the gland, straight into the plastic one, without actually having extra joins in the metal box. If not, what is recommended. (26) 1.55. What is wanted is not the will to believe, but the will to find out, which is the exact opposite. Cable Gland Installation Guidelines. Our enclosures provide a lockable cover facility giving protection and security against tampering. Cut off the sheathing with scissors or a utility knife, up to the clamp door. Step 1: Determine the type of steel in the cable. Step 4: Measure the distance from the consumer unit. . This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. It can be used both on the interior or the property and the exterior and it can either be clipped to a solid secure surface such as a wall or it can be buried in the ground and hidden away. (Regulation 411.3.1.1 refers). The optical fiber elements are typically . How to Connect and Wire up Armoured Cable or SWA Cable, General Building, Self Build and Renovation, Planning Regs, Project Management and Safety, Let us help you find a tradesman local to you, Installing a Consumer Unit Consumer Units Explained, Electric Cable Sizes and Amp Ratings for the UK, Understanding Electrical Cables and Flexes, How to Wire a Junction Box for Socket and Light Circuits, 3-core = 2 different types: 1 brown, 1 blue and 1 yellow/green (earth) or: 1 black, 1 grey and 1 brown, 4-core = 1 brown, 1 black, 1 grey and 1 blue, 5-core = 1 brown, 1 grey, 1 blue and 1 yellow/green. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Sometimes a steel connection box can be used inside the property, thus terminating the earth / SWA and converting to T&E to consumer unit. It's fine to terminate SWA into a plastic enclosure, although you need to be the judge of whether or not said enclosure is strong enough to take the mechanical stress the cable may put on it. Certain wiring outside of fire-rated construction may use non-metallic-sheathed cable, AC, or non-metallic rigid conduit. Unless it's approved as a permanent wiring method, you can't use it. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. IMO IP66 Junction Box 125 x 167 x 82mm 16.99. --Bertrand Russell. Looking at the fitting in your picture I guess it is approved for use with MC (going off of what the package says). 7 / 10. . You are using an out of date browser. The included wiring is black, white and green, solid 14 ga. The main drawback is that BX is more expensive. VAT 7.15 qty Select from 6 variations . The actual gauge for your project will depend upon the length and the operating load to be fed at the far end. you need to specify if the cable has an earth wire for a definate answer. Parse the code as you will, but a metal box is about $2 and it's the Kosher way to do it, IMO. I can post a picture later if that would help. There may be a correct way to connect metallic to the plastic box but I believe you would need a bonding lock nut to bond the grounding wire to the cable armor. To fit a gland to an armoured or SWA cable, you will need a pair of quality wire cutters or a hacksaw, along with two suitably sized spanners. Al hacer clic en 'Aceptar' confirmo que estoy de acuerdo con lo antes expuesto, como se describe con ms detalle en la Poltica de cookies de Houzz. With the screw in place a length of earth wire is cut and a crimp ring is crimped on and then its slipped over the bolt and then a nut is screwed down and tightened. The metal armor can also act as a part of the earth grounding in combination with the bonding wire. The reason for using a weather proof enclosure was that the main electrical feed would be taken from the consumer unit to the weather proof enclosure via a 10mm cable and the connection between this and the armoured cable would then be made in the enclosure. Then bend and break the metal off. 1: Where internal bonding means are provided between all entries, nonmetallic boxes shall be permitted to be used with metal raceways or metal-armored cables. 5 Repeat the process at the other end of the cable. Would someone please give me some insight on this ? In terms of burying armoured cable, it should be buried at 450mm down from the surface with ideally a layer of sand in the base of the trench. There is an issue of whether a plastic box is listed for a metallic connector, but I am only going to address bonding. or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you. Once the gland sleeve is fixed in place, secure the enclosure to the install location (in this case inside the porch) by screwing through the rear of the enclosure using 8 x 32mm wood screws. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Place the wires in crossed position intersecting about 5 mm from the insulation of the tap wire and the main wire. ex. Sure couldn't do it with a plastic box at both ends, the armor would not be bonded. You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'diydoctor_org_uk-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',691,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diydoctor_org_uk-medrectangle-4-0');To these ends the regulations state that in these situations special cable known as armoured or SWA (steel wire armoured) cable must be used as its both resistant to the elements and its protective steel casing ensures resistance to any impact damage. Attach conduit and armored cable to a knockout in an outlet box or enclosure. "A while back I asked about using a plastic box with MC and your response was that you hadn't seen a plastic box approved for metallic clad cable.". cable.". The choice of whether armoured cable is surface mounted or buried depends on several factors including the preferences of the homeowner whos having the cable installed, the install location and the budget. Step 4. Light fixtures can be supported by metal junction boxes; plastic junction boxes will break under the weight. Never saw a 14/3 metal clad "appliance cable." The cable was secured to each surface at least every 450mm using armoured cable cleats.Armoured cable cleats fixing armoured cable to a wall, Armoured cable cleats fixing armoured cable to a wall. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Below you will notice large diameter plastic conduit bringing power to an electrical sub panel. It looks like you're using an ad blocker.