Au-ve-co Products 3798 Cage Nut 5/16-18 Spring Steel

Product Description

The AU-VE-CO PRODUCTS 3798 is a spring steel cage nut designed to provide a captive threaded fastening point in sheet metal panels and enclosures. Sized for 5/16-18 screws, this cage nut clips into a square hole or channel and holds position during assembly, eliminating the need to hold a loose nut by hand. The black phosphate finish provides corrosion resistance in typical indoor and light-duty industrial environments. It accommodates material thickness from 0.023 inches to 0.063 inches and measures 0.5 inches from center to edge. This hardware is used by electricians, HVAC technicians, panel fabricators, and general mechanical trades wherever captive nut retention is required.

The 3798 cage nut is suited for use in electrical enclosures, HVAC equipment cabinets, control panels, rack-mount assemblies, and sheet metal fabrications where the panel material falls within the 0.023 to 0.063 inch thickness range. Its spring steel construction maintains consistent clamping force in the cage without requiring welding or additional hardware. Sold individually per package with a minimum order quantity of 50 units, making it appropriate for service stock or production assembly applications.

Key Features

• Accepts 5/16-18 threaded screws for secure panel fastening
• Spring steel construction maintains retention force in sheet metal cutouts
• Compatible with material thickness from 0.023 inches to 0.063 inches
• 0.5 inch center-to-edge dimension for standard cage nut slot sizing
• Black phosphate finish for corrosion resistance in indoor environments
• Captive design allows single-handed screw installation in confined spaces

Compatibility

Designed as a standard 5/16-18 cage nut for sheet metal panels and enclosures with material thickness between 0.023 inches and 0.063 inches and a compatible square or rectangular cage nut slot.

Installation Notes

A licensed electrician or qualified mechanical technician should de-energize and lock out any enclosure or panel before installing or replacing cage nuts to prevent accidental contact with live components. The cage nut is pressed into the appropriate slot by hand or with light tool pressure until the spring tabs seat against the panel. Verify the slot dimensions match the 0.5 inch center-to-edge specification before installation. Do not force the cage nut into an undersized or oversized aperture, as this will compromise retention.