Content
In addition to these considerations, make sure you comply with the NEC first before you initiate a wiring project. Looking to those codes can help guide your choice in wiring and save you trouble in the long run. After a 22% price increase in 2020, Goldman Sachs analysts say that 2021 could soon see a record high for copper prices. These price increases are due to factors such as China’s economic recovery from the pandemic, sustainable green energy stimuluses, and supply disruptions.
PVC coated, sunlight resistant, direct burial rated MC cable can be used in a wet location. General use MC cables cannot be used in wet locations but there are some types of specialty MC cables that can. The most common is the PVC coated, sunlight resistant, direct burial listed MC cable in the image. A flexible package consisting of an armor jacket wrapped around wire conductors forming an easily installable wiring system. Similar to MC, AC has an overall Mylar wrapping over all the wires to provide protection and therefore doesn’t require the use of Anti-Short Bushings.
- Grow Your Business with InterNACHI® InterNACHI® membership is so much more than training and certification.
- As you can see they do not have a protective PVC outer jacket that would allow the use on exterior applications.
- It is often used in fire-rated occupancies as an alternative to metallic conduit.
- Romex is used for most lighting and outletcircuits in your home.
- Like any other cable, if the armor is nicked, cut, or shredded, the wires inside can be compromised.
- One alternative is an underground feeder (UF-B) cable, which is similar to Romex but offers more protection for outdoor and underground applications so it can be run without a conduit.
Keep in mind that the abbreviation of BX is widely used in industries like banking, computing, educational, finance, governmental, and health. In addition to BX, Basic Armored Cable may be short for other acronyms. A tool comprised of a special clamp with a rotary cutter is available for those doing a lot of AC or MC installation.
What Is The Disadvantage Of Bx Armored Cable?
MC connectors are specially designed for low contact resistance and good stable connections under a wide range of conditions. MC means « multi-contact. » The term « multi-contact » comes from the fact that the connectors have a bunch of little spring loaded gold plated fingers that ensure good contact. Aluminium can also be used for armouring, and historically iron was used. Insert a diagonal cutter into the opening of the armor.
Knob-and-tube wiring is more vulnerable to damage than modern wiring because it is insulated with fiber materials and varnish, which can become brittle. Support devices that may damage the cables, such as bent nails and overdriven staples, are not permitted. Visually verify that your wiring is complete, no exposed conductors remain.Double-check within anyone else working with you, for safety, before proceeding to the next step. Many inspectors will want to see the « listing label » for your cable bx cable definition so they can verity that it conforms to the code requirements and standards for cable construction. Armored cable was originally called “Greenfield Flexible Steel-Armored Conductors” after one of its inventors, Harry Greenfield. Two experimental versions were made, one called “AX” and the other “BX.” (The “X” stood for “experimental.”) The ”BX” version was produced. The actual name for it is “Armored Cable” or AC, but many people call it by its original trade name “Greenfield” or just BX.
Can Armored Cable Be Used Instead Of Conduit?
It is acceptable to the latest version of the National Electrical Code . But safety of an existing BX system does depend on its age, type and how it was installed. So “BX” is defined as “AC” cable and “MC” is defined as Metal Clad cable. Basic armored cable was developed in the early 1900s by Harry Greenfield and Gus Johnson, who called their product BX cable. Instrumentation Cable MC-HL Aluminum Armor The overall shield provides protection from external interference but not between group interference. It may be installed indoors or outside, in wet or dry locations and is sunlight resistant and can be direct buried. Romex is used for most lighting and outletcircuits in your home.
- Used for underground systems, cable networks, power networks, outdoor and indoor applications, and cable ducting.
- Type MC cable installed on the bottom of floor or ceiling joists must be secured at every joist and not be subject to physical damage [Sec.
- Underground feed cable has wires wrapped in solid plastic for watertight protection.
- Some major manufacturers of armored cable are General Cable, AFC Cable Systems, and United Copper Systems.
- When cable has only one core, aluminium wire armour is used instead of steel wire.
- Cable packaging indicates the gauge and number of wires.
- In schools and residential occupancies, this could lead to easy access by children who pull up the carpet.
These features make Romex a useful wire for interior wiring applications. Common examples include interior wall wiring, especially for lighting and appliances. Like MC cable, Romex is available in multiple varieties for unique applications. Various sizes of Romex wire are available depending on how much power needs to be run, with the most popular sizes being 14 AWG, 12 AWG and 10 AWG. In addition to traditional MC cable, several varieties of MC cable are available to suit the needs of unique applications. One example is MC-HL cable, which is designed for use in hazardous locations and features vapor-tight sheathing.
PVC-jacketed MC has a coating over the length of it that makes the inside of the conductor impervious to moisture. You can run romex on the surface of a wall as long as it is not exposed to anthing that will damage the wire. Even with new projects, you still have the choice of using either metal-armored BX cable or plastic-sheathed NM cable. In cutting a flexible armored cable, the appropriate tool to be used is ______________.
Can You Run Mc Cable To A Plastic Box?
Type AC cable shall be protected in accordance with 300.4, , and where installed through or parallel to framing members. The definition for no. 1 heavy melting is wrought iron and/or steel scrap 1/4 inch and over in thickness. Individual pieces not over 60 x 24 inches prepared in a manner to insure compact charging, as specified by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. Cleaning your home doesn’t have to be a daunting, time-consuming chore. The key to managing household duties quickly and efficiently is to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the most important tasks. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule. Disregarding any inherent inadequacies, existing KT cable systems are likely to be unsafe because they are almost guaranteed to be at least 50 years old.
Here’s a brief about cables that you need to understand to determine the correct cable for your home. An enclosed channel of metal or nonmetallic materials designed expressly for holding wires, cables, or busbars, with additional functions as permitted in this Code. Type AC cable shall provide an adequate path for fault current as required by 250.4 or to act as an equipment grounding conductor. Where this space is not accessible by permanently installed stairs or ladders, protection shall only be required within 1.8 m of the nearest edge of the scuttle hole or attic entrance. For indoor applications, Romex must be installed in an enclosed space. You might install it within a wall, inside a ceiling or under a floor.
In some instances the flexible metallic conduit can be exposed to weather but it requires special insulation on the conductors. BX became the registered trade name of AC Cable distributed by General Electric who had acquired Sprague Electric. Steel wire armoured cable, commonly abbreviatedas SWA, is a hard-wearing power cable designed for thesupply of mains electricity. It is one of a number ofarmoured electrical cables – which include 11 kVCable and 33 kV Cable – and is found inunderground systems, power networks and cableducting. When doing electrical projects on your home, generally you will be using NM, or non-metallic, electrical cable as it is easy to handle and inexpensive.
MC cables have 2 or more solid or strandedconductors in sizes 18 AWG and larger. The number of conductorsallowed in an MC cable is not restricted by UL. Theconductors may be of copper, aluminum or copper-cladaluminum. Armored cable, referred to as Type AC cable or BX Electrical Cable is one of the original styles of flexible conduit used as an alternative to pipe and wire installations. A 16 AWG bare aluminum bond wire is used along with the armor as the ground path. A reason why you might typically use outdoor armored cable are for building to building runs on a school campus or facilities with larger distances between buildings.
MC cable uses a different grounding system from true armor cable and may have additional waterproofing. This is the newest type of metal-covered cable and is found in a wide range of commercial and industrial buildings. Electrical cable options vary widely, with unique types used in specific applications. Therefore, choosing the right type of cable is one of the essential tasks installers need to take on before initiating a project. Two types of cables that may be commonly used, especially in residential applications, are Romex and MC cabling. While both are approved for use in residential applications by National Electrical Code regulations, these cables each have unique features to consider for installation.
Can Romex Be Exposed?
But another very common area I find unprotected wiring during a home inspection is on the exterior of homes. Any wiring that is on the exterior of the home needs to be rated for use in damp or wet locations.
Unlike other cables commonly found in homes, they are permitted in damp environments, such as basements. Cut a 20 centimeter (7.9 in) length of the armor using either a hacksaw or a rotary cutter designed for the purpose. It is not necessary to cut completely through the armor. Use caution – the metal edges are sharp.Carefully inspect https://simple-accounting.org/ the interior insulation to make sure none of the conductors have been exposed by nicks or gashes. If there is damage, you may need to try again by moving back and redoing another cut. Commonly known as SWA cable, the steel wire armoured cable is a power and auxiliary control cable, designed for use in mains supply electricity.
Common Electrical Conductor Types
Sizing of wire is done by the American wire gauge system. Common wire sizes are 10, 12 and 14 – a higher number means a smaller wire size, and affects the amount of power it can carry. For example, a low-voltage lamp cord with 10 Amps will require 18-gauge wire, while service panels or subpanels with 100 Amps will require 2-gauge wire. Armored cable often refers to all power cables that are covered in metal. Romex can be installed indoors with no conduit in certain applications.
This link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Get tips for arranging living room furniture in a way that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment and makes the most of your space. Grow Your Business with InterNACHI® InterNACHI® membership is so much more than training and certification. Members get access to world-class resources to grow their business to the next level. They must be protected, secured and clamped to device boxes, junction boxes and fixtures. They are not permitted in residential construction higher than three stories, or in any commercial construction. You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
It was first called “BX” to abbreviate “product B – Experimental,” although AC is far more commonly used today. Like Romex cables, they cannot be used in residences higher than three stories, and the rules for protection and support of AC wiring are essentially the same as the rules for Romex. Unlike Romex, however, AC wiring has a flexible metallic sheathing that allows for extra protection.
If you’ve looked for cables recently, you may have noticed These terms are MC cable and BX cable. What can they be used for and why have they recently gotten more attention? We hope to clear up any sort of confusion you might have about these cables and more. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. In addition, while home improvement stores still do carry BX cable, do-it-yourselfers will find a far greater selection of NM cables at retail outlets.
Can Armored Cable Be Exposed?
Plastic or fiberglass electrical boxes aren’t designed to be used with MC cable. Even if you’re able to rig up a connection to a plastic box, you will fail the electrical inspection.