Split Panel clamp?

[6togo]

I got a home inspection list to repair today and one item on the list was the service panel was missing a Romex connector clamp. When I got there I found that all the wires and feeds are fed down though one of the large knock outs. This is a 40 year old condo and I would guess all the units in the building are the same. Is there some sort of clamp that splits I could use to clamp the wires without removing them all?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I have never seen one.... and how many cables are we talking?

 

[6togo]

All of the Romex for the condo. Probably 10-12 wires. I been looking for a easy fix but don't see that there is one. and I highly doubt the owners will want to foot the bill to fix it right considering it has not caused a issue in 40 years.

 

[yatg]

This was how my previous house was originally done. About a dozen NM and SER cables. This is looking in the garage wall and it connects to the back of the meter main can. It was a 1-1/2" or 2" clamp, but don't think it was split.

Tell them its been that way for 40 years, passed inspection 40 years ago, and there's no reason to mess with it now and possibly create more issues.

 

[alfredeneuman]

All of the Romex for the condo. Probably 10-12 wires.

I've not seen a connector listed for more than 2 cables

 

[CADPoint]

If the inspector only wants a clamp.

Split romex connectors, let me assume that it's the largest Knock-out hole was used this
would require a 2" like M&W or Halex.

A Manards or Or electrical supply house will have these larger ones.

 

[mike93lx]

If the inspector only wants a clamp.

Split romex connectors, let me assume that it's the largest Knock-out hole was used this
would require a 2" like M&W or Halex.

A Manards or Or electrical supply house will have these larger ones.

A home inspector can want it gold plated, but it doesn't matter. All that matters is what the homeowners want and/or the financing bank.

Unless this work is part of a permit that required the work to be updated, the AHJ shouldn't have any involvement and it can be left alone.

 

[CADPoint]

The inspector is doing his job. How well is debatable.

It's not much to do with a split connector.

This can hold up business, that's why people get an inspection.

If an electrician was bought in they should say hey you need 10 hole two per connector, as previously mentioned.

 

[mike93lx]

The inspector is doing his job. How well is debatable.

It's not much to do with a split connector.

This can hold up business, that's why people get an inspection.

If an electrician was bought in they should say hey you need 10 hole two per connector, as previously mentioned.

I don't fault the inspector at all and he may be exceptionally good.

That said, home inspector likely won't be prescribing the fix. Just pointing out an issue exists and advising to hire a pro. They also can't require anything be done

 

[ycgoat]

Or, get an estimate for panel change, and add that to the sales price and likely financed over 30 yrs.

 

[sparky 1971]

Is the panel surface or flush mounted? Surface mounted will be easy, flush mounted, not so much to do it the right way. They might be appeased if you can find a snap in bushing the correct size, cut it so it slips over the bundle of wires and snap it in. It's not up to snuff as far as the code goes, but it's a helluva lot better than the cables resting on the edge of the hole.

I've pissed off enough realtors that I rarely do many home inspection lists. By the time I would get involved, the inspector had made his report and gave his recommendation, the buyers made the request, and the seller had signed off that the repairs would be made. From what I understand, if the repairs aren't made, the buyer can back out of the sale.

There have been a few that I wouldn't do because things that the inspector missed weren't on the list would have to be addressed and of course, nobody was willing to pay so I walked.

 

[Norcal]

Is the panel surface or flush mounted? Surface mounted will be easy, flush mounted, not so much to do it the right way. They might be appeased if you can find a snap in bushing the correct size, cut it so it slips over the bundle of wires and snap it in. It's not up to snuff as far as the code goes, but it's a helluva lot better than the cables resting on the edge of the hole.

I've pissed off enough realtors that I rarely do many home inspection lists. By the time I would get involved, the inspector had made his report and gave his recommendation, the buyers made the request, and the seller had signed off that the repairs would be made. From what I understand, if the repairs aren't made, the buyer can back out of the sale.

There have been a few that I wouldn't do because things that the inspector missed weren't on the list would have to be addressed and of course, nobody was willing to pay so I walked.

Agree about the anti-short bushing, was my thought when I first read this tread a few hours ago it is not code compliant but makes the best of a bad situation.

 

[6togo]

Yes it's purely cosmetic and not code. The inspector was right to point it out however he can't enforce anything just cover his tail but it can affect the price of the unit and possibly cause a sale to go belly up. I'm looking for the larger plastic Rome bushing and don't really see any larger than 3/4".

 

[6togo]

Well I did find these from Bridgeport guess that's the easiest option. Just require a thin blade cut to split it.

 

[mike93lx]

Definitely not listed, but this would at least add some protection

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[6togo]

Yep that works also! Thanks.

 

[sparky 1971]

figure out what the knockout size is and go to an electrical supply house to get one.

 

[Norcal]

figure out what the knockout size is and go to an electrical supply house to get one.

Big box stores can be rather useless for anything slightly out of the ordinary.

 

[torqueman2002]

Two Piece Butterfly Type Clamp NM Box Connector
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[The Cobbler]

what about a PVC bushing , cut in half with a coupling, cut in half... glued together with cuts opposing.

 

[no704]

Get the proper clamp for the hole in the case. Cut it in half. Wrap the wires with enough tape to allow the nut to work.
Nut will be a problem. Use a SS zip tye

 

[sparky 1971]

Get the proper clamp for the hole in the case. Cut it in half. Wrap the wires with enough tape to allow the nut to work.
Nut will be a problem. Use a SS zip tye

Why go to that much work when the end result is still a violation? A clamp isn't listed to be cut in half, and besides that, only two cables are allowed in a clamp anyway.

 

[Innovate1]

what about a PVC bushing , cut in half with a coupling, cut in half... glued together with cuts opposing.

That seems like a reasonable plan. If two bushings were cut and the cuts carefully placed the parts when fit together would be the same size as the original (otherwise it would be undersize because of the width of the cut). Use a hose clamp to hold things until the glue sets.

 

[mike93lx]

That seems like a reasonable plan. If two bushings were cut and the cuts carefully placed the parts when fit together would be the same size as the original (otherwise it would be undersize because of the width of the cut). Use a hose clamp to hold things until the glue sets.

I would not glue anything together that close to romex. You will get glue on the wire and it will damage the sheathing

 

[Innovate1]

I would not glue anything together that close to romex. You will get glue on the wire and it will damage the sheathing

Only if you are sloppy and don't do anything to avoid it. Slip some wax paper or thin cardboard between the wires and bushing. Cut up a cereal box to protect anything below from drips. If the wires can be pulled that's best of course. And then adding a clamp or bushing is easy. But the OP was looking for ways to avoid that.

 

[mike93lx]

Only if you are sloppy and don't do anything to avoid it. Slip some wax paper or thin cardboard between the wires and bushing. Cut up a cereal box to protect anything below from drips. If the wires can be pulled that's best of course. And then adding a clamp or bushing is easy. But the OP was looking for ways to avoid that.

You must use different glue applicators than me. But to each his own.

There is a reason why it is a code violation to glue up conduit when wire is in it

 

[Innovate1]

You must use different glue applicators than me. But to each his own.

There is a reason why it is a code violation to glue up conduit when wire is in it

Hard to avoid getting where it doesn't belong so it's not a great plan. And a lot of fiddly work cutting up things and getting a decent fit. There have been better solutions (although many are still code violations) suggested.

 

[sparky 1971]

It's comical how everything that gets asked on GJ becomes a contest to see who can come up with the most difficult way of doing something. Other than taking all of the wires out of the panel and bringing them back in in sets of one or two cables through approved clamps, connectors, or bushings, there are no code compliant solutions to this problem. Cut this in half, glue that together, zip ties this, and on and on and on. All he needs is something to sleeve the hole the bundle of cables is running through and I'll bet everyone on the purchasing side is happy. A snap in bushing is all that it's going to take. It will require a slit cut in it to get it around the wires, but that can be done in multiple ways from a cut off saw all the way down to a lowly pocket knife, depending on how difficult one wants to make that part of the process, personally, I'd use my dykes and be done since that would be the fastest.

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These are just examples. 1/2 and 3/4 should be available at about any box store. Other sizes up to 2" and maybe larger should be available and in stock at an electrical supply house.