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New circuit to panel

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Smiles79

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I need to run a 30amp/240v circuit to my panel. I see I've got an open hole at the top, can I just go ahead and run the wire through that? Do I need some sort of bushing or clamp?

Is there a limit to how many circuits can be run next to each other in the attic?

Thanks!

https://imgur.com/a/8QY0MRa
 
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sparky 1971

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Smiles79 said:
I need to run a 30amp/240v circuit to my panel. I see I've got an open hole at the top, can I just go ahead and run the wire through that? Do I need some sort of bushing or clamp?
Click to expand...
Sure you can. If you're lucky, there's conduit from that connector to the attic, but it's probably just an unused Romex connector. Seeing all that wire crammed into the 2" MA makes me think you're going to have a tough time getting down the wall if there isn't a pipe there.
Smiles79 said:
Is there a limit to how many circuits can be run next to each other in the attic?
Click to expand...
As many as you want side by side, but I think the limit is two as far as what can be under one staple.
Smiles79 said:
Thanks!

https://imgur.com/a/8QY0MRa
Click to expand...
 
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Smiles79

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sparky 1971 said:
Sure you can. If you're lucky, there's conduit from that connector to the attic, but it's probably just an unused Romex connector. Seeing all that wire crammed into the 2" MA makes me think you're going to have a tough time getting down the wall if there isn't a pipe there.
Click to expand...

I checked and luckily I have a clear shot into the attic from here.

sparky 1971 said:
As many as you want side by side, but I think the limit is two as far as what can be under one staple.
Click to expand...
Great thanks!
wyliesdiesels said:
Yikes...

Yeah you need an NM clamp... good luck getting it on without cutting drywall
Click to expand...
Why yikes? As far as the clamp goes, I think I've read about some that can be installed from the inside. Do you know anything about that?
 
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pattenp

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Smiles79 said:
Why yikes? As far as the clamp goes, I think I've read about some that can be installed from the inside. Do you know anything about that?
Click to expand...
The two piece metal nm clamp can be installed from the inside. There is no requirement for the clamp screws to be on the outside of the panel.
 
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yatg

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pattenp said:
The two piece metal nm clamp can be installed from the inside. There is no requirement for the clamp screws to be on the outside of the panel.
Click to expand...
There's the problem of getting the locknut over the cable. You could slide it down the cable after its pulled into the panel, or could tape the locknut to the cable before you fish it and make sure the tape doesn't interfere with the threads. Either way you hope the locknut completes the journey down the wall. Then you have to blindly get the threads started and tighten it from inside the box.

Sometimes you can put a standard NM clamp on cable about 3' from end. Fish cable into box, jockey clamp threads into hole, install locknut. Requires a bigger hole through the top plates for the clamp.

As mentioned earlier, Inside NM clamp, aka Raco Insider. Fish cable into box, slide clamp onto cable, snap clamp+cable into box.

1673887666296.png
 
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Smiles79

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yatg said:
There's the problem of getting the locknut over the cable. You could slide it down the cable after its pulled into the panel, or could tape the locknut to the cable before you fish it and make sure the tape doesn't interfere with the threads. Either way you hope the locknut completes the journey down the wall. Then you have to blindly get the threads started and tighten it from inside the box.

Sometimes you can put a standard NM clamp on cable about 3' from end. Fish cable into box, jockey clamp threads into hole, install locknut. Requires a bigger hole through the top plates for the clamp.

As mentioned earlier, Inside NM clamp, aka Raco Insider. Fish cable into box, slide clamp onto cable, snap clamp+cable into box.

1673887666296.png
Click to expand...
That looks like what I need, thanks
 
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jeepxj

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pattenp

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Why is the cable clamp being installed on the inside of the panel making people take pause? That's like the thought that nm-b cable in conduit is a code violation.
 
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Smiles79

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Thanks everyone for all the feedback, it's very helpful.

I plan on using a spare 30a breaker that's in the panel as well as a 30a inlet as I only have a 30a generator. Due to the length of the wire run it looks like I would need to use 8ga wire, so I figure for another $50 or so I'll just go ahead and wire it with 6ga.

The inlet and breaker each can only accept 8ga wire max. Can I wire-nut a short 8ga piece to each 6ga piece inside the inlet box and inside my electrical panel to make the connections to the breaker and inlet plug?
 
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sparky 1971

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wyliesdiesels said:
interesting. never seen those in stock here
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I've never used the Arlingtons, so they may be ok. I have tried a brand called Pro Connex, a Sigma brand, and threw 24 of the 25 that came in the box in the trash. The one that didn't get thrown in the trash got thrown across the room when it wouldn't fit in a factory 1/2" combo knockout.

 
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