Arlington Anti-Short Bushing 3/4 - Plastic, Trade Size, 50 Pack

Arlington's red plastic anti-short bushing in 3/4 trade size, sold fifty to a bag. It goes into the cut end of armoured or metal clad cable so the spiral armour cannot bite through the conductor insulation, and its colour is what lets an inspector confirm it is there without pulling the termination apart.

Why colour is a specification here, not a finish

Arlington makes this part red on purpose. Armoured cable connectors are built with a throat or a window so the termination can be inspected after it is made up, and a red bushing seen through that opening is the proof that the armour is protected. A clear or grey bushing does the same mechanical job and still gets a job written up, because the inspector cannot see it. When somebody at the counter asks whether the colour matters, that is the answer.

Specifications

Best for: electricians terminating armoured and metal clad cable on service and commercial work, and anyone tired of a rough-in getting written up over a part that costs less than a coffee.

Common questions

Which cable sizes does the 3/4 inch AS4 actually fit?
Arlington lists the cable range as 8/4 to 4/3, and names the sizes as 8/4, 6/2, 6/3, 6/4, 4/2 and 4/3. Match the bushing to the cable build, not to the knockout you are landing it in.

Do I need a bushing at both ends of the armoured cable?
Yes. Every point where the armour is cut leaves a sharp spiral edge against the conductor insulation, so each cut end that terminates in a box or connector gets its own bushing.

Why do inspectors keep asking to see red?
Because the red colour is the whole inspection method. Most armoured cable connectors have a window or an open throat, and a red bushing seen through it proves the bushing is present and fully seated without dismantling anything.

Why are they sold fifty to a bag?
Arlington sets unit packaging at 50 pieces and the standard carton at 7500. At this unit cost nobody counts them out, and running short on a rough-in is far more expensive than the extra bag.