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Wiring square tube metal building

Bradc1989

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Oct 30, 2019
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Middle tn
My building is due to be delivered in the next few weeks. Looking for some tips on how to go about running wire and mounting boxes. I think the side panels will be horizontal so I could use the channel in them to run the wire right? Self tappers to mount boxes to? Bought 3 extra trusses so the upright tubes will be every 3 1/2 feet instead of 4 1/2 feet. I do eventually plan on insulating. I do not plan on framing and building teal walls inside like I’ve seen some people to so everything will have to mount to the 12ga 2” x 2” square tube. Shop will see fab work as well as machine tool work and building race cars and maintaining and housing at least one race car
 
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theoldwizard1

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My building is due to be delivered in the next few weeks. Looking for some tips on how to go about running wire and mounting boxes. I think the side panels will be horizontal so I could use the channel in them to run the wire right?

If that is your plan you need special plastic "anti short" bushing as the wire transition from the electrical box to the metal tubing. You also need something to protect the wire on internal corners.
 

nadogail

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IMHO, MC which many still call BX is very appropriate for this job. Every package of MC I have purchased comes with a bag of plastic bushings to protect the conductors.
 
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alfredeneuman

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If that is your plan you need special plastic "anti short" bushing as the wire transition from the electrical box to the metal tubing. You also need something to protect the wire on internal corners.
You talk about it if it's a requirement. It isn't

You don't need anti-short bushings on MC cable. The mylar jacket protects it from shorts.
You need them on AC (BX) cable, as it has a paper jacket.
I talked directly with a Southwire rep, and he said that the bag of A-S bushings were just provided as an "added degree of protection".
 
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YukonXL04

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You talk about it if it's a requirement. It isn't

You don't need anti-short bushings on MC cable. The mylar jacket protects it from shorts.
You need them on AC (BX) cable, as it has a paper jacket.
I talked directly with a Southwire rep, and he said that the bag of A-S bushings were just provided as an "added degree of protection".

I dont know for sure to reference code, but I know our inspectors here in Texas specifically look for them and will fail you if you don't have them. There is a hole in MC connectors that allows you to see the red bushing without taking them apart. Been there done that.
 

alfredeneuman

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I dont know for sure to reference code, but I know our inspectors here in Texas specifically look for them and will fail you if you don't have them. There is a hole in MC connectors that allows you to see the red bushing without taking them apart. Been there done that.

MC connectors and AC connectors are one in the same, and that's why they have the hole. There is no place in the Code where they're required for MC.

Southwire make both MC and AC cables and they, if anyone, should know their own product requirements.
 

YukonXL04

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MC connectors and AC connectors are one in the same, and that's why they have the hole. There is no place in the Code where they're required for MC.

Southwire make both MC and AC cables and they, if anyone, should know their own product requirements.

Interesting. Well I know we have had inspections fail for not using them on MC around here. So rather than fight and argue most inspectors, we just slip them in and carry on.
 
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