Should electrical wire sheathing project no more than about an inch into the electric panel?

Answer 1

When I wire a panel, the outer insulation of the romex does not extend past the romex connector, after the actual conductors have been neatly shaped to the ground / neutral bar and the line has been brought to the breaker the insulation of the hot & neutral is then stripped exposing 1/4 inch of copper then landed.

Answer 2

The sheathing of a Romex type cable should project one inch into the electrical panel, however it is sometimes not accessible to trim the sheathing back this far due to other cables which may make it difficult, therefore start the trimming where safely accessible.

Answer 3

by code in Manitoba yes it can. and i don't see why it wouldn't be the same anywhere else in the world

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.

I scoured the NEC for something on this, believing there has to be a rule somewhere. I found some references to 1/4 inch minimum in various special circumstances but nothing for general conditions and nothing on maximum distance. I still believe there is something there. I'm just missing it somewhere. The NEC is quite complicated.

I used to leave as much of the sheathing as I could because that makes it easier to trace a circuit if that becomes necessary. Over the years I have gotten out of that habit and I remove the sheathing from just within the panel.

Removing the sheathing outside the panel makes it non-sheathed individual conductors with no conduit or other protective means which is a violation of code.

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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

Answer 4

Yes, there are minimum and maximum lengths in terms of electricity. The interaction of sheathing and panel is a case in point The electrical wire sheathing shouldn't project more than about an inch into the electric panel.

Answer 5

1/4"

In the US the NEC doesn't specify except that the sheath must go through the connector. 1/4" is a good rule of thumb, but tracing wires may be simpler if you have more.