What is the recommended practice for securing conductors that enter cabinets or boxes?

• A. Tie the wires with tape.
• B. Leave conductors loose to allow movement.
• C. Use approved clamps or connectors to provide strain relief and maintain box fill integrity.
• D. Use zip ties without strain relief.

Answer: (C)

Securing conductors that enter cabinets or boxes must use approved clamps or connectors to provide strain relief. Strain relief stops those conductors from being pulled or tugged at the terminations, preventing damage to insulation and connections and reducing the chance of loosening a splice or terminal screw. It also helps maintain box fill integrity by using listed devices sized for the enclosure and conductor, ensuring the required volume is not exceeded. Methods like taping wires or leaving them loose do not provide reliable strain relief and can permit movement, damage insulation, or create safety hazards. Zip ties without proper strain relief likewise do not meet code requirements for securing conductors entering enclosures and can fail under temperature changes or tension.