What are the uses of metal clad cable?
Uses Permitted for Metal-Clad Cable (Type MC) (1) In branch circuits, feeders, and services (2) In power, lighting, control, and signal circuits (3) Indoors or outdoors (4) Exposed or concealed (5) Directly buried (if identified for the purpose) (6) In a cable tray (7) In a raceway (8) As aerial ...
Is MC Cable suitable for outdoor installation?
There is MC cable that is suitable for outdoor/wet installation and so are there suitable connections available. Just gotta find it...... As far as I am aware (I do not have my White Book here), standard MC cable that is commonly installed is not permitted to be installed in wet or damp locations.
What are the advantages of metal clad electrical conduit?
Advantages of Metal Clad Cable (Why Electricians Love This Stuff!) No need for electrical conduit with indoor applications (since it has its own metal “armor”) Cable is flexible. Cable cuts easily. Many varieties useful for different applications (wet locations where corrosion can take place, direct burial, hospital settings, etc.)
What does the Code require when installing metal-clad cable in exposed work?
What does the Code require when installing metal-clad cable (Type MC) in exposed work? A. Exposed runs of Type MC cable must closely follow the surface of the building finish or running boards. 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. 330.15].
Is metal clad cable waterproof?
The metallic covering is impervious to moisture. A jacket resistant to moisture is provided under the metal covering. The insulated conductors under the metallic covering are listed for use in wet locations.
What is metal clad cable used for?
Metal clad cable can be installed for service, feeder, and branch circuitry. In other words, MC is useful for wiring your main electrical panel from your service head, your sub panel (if applicable) to your main electrical panel, and your individual outlets and lighting circuits from your main electrical panel.
Can you use normal cable outside?
Electrical cables are deemed suitable for outdoor use provided they have adequate protection against direct sunlight and other external extremities.
Can you use metal clad cable underground?
The Metal Clad Cable includes a grounding wire and can be used in outdoor applications. It can go into concealed and unconcealed spaces, and even buried underground. The National Electric Code (NEC), it is also approves it for difficult locations that involve exposure to moisture and hazardous elements.
Can you run BX cable outside?
Another distinction is that some types of BX cable can be installed in exposed locations, either indoors or outdoors. NM cable and wiring must always be installed in an enclosed location (typically within a wall, ceiling, or under a floor).
Can MC cable be run exposed?
Type MC Cable without an outside nonmetallic jacket can be installed in an “other space used for environmental air” in accordance with Section 300.22(C). These cables can be installed either indoors or outdoors and in exposed and concealed locations.
What type of cable can be used outside?
Outdoor-rated cables are differentiated by their UV-resistant jackets. These types of cables are designed to be used outside, but not buried. Outdoor-rated cables are made to withstand heat and UV rays, and their UV-resistant jackets are either made out of PE or a UV-resistant PVC material.
What kind of wire can be used outdoors?
Type UF cable is the most commonly used nonmetallic cable for residential outdoor wiring runs. UF cable can be direct-buried (without conduit) with a minimum of 24 inches of earth cover.
What cable do I need to run outside?
Exterior-grade Ethernet cables are waterproof and can be buried in the ground without a conduit. If you aren't burying the cable, choose a waterproof Cat 6 cable that has a UV protective jacket to prevent damage from sunlight exposure. This is important when running the cable up the side of a house or across a roof.
Can you put MC cable in concrete?
Type MC cable is available with an outer PVC jacket and is permitted to be installed in parking decks, concrete pours and for direct earth burial if it is identified for such use.
Does Armoured cable need to be in conduit?
Whilst the weight and rigidity of armoured cables can make them hard to handle and time-consuming to terminate, they are essential in applications where unarmoured cables may be prone to damage and require containment protection, i.e.: conduit or trunking.
Can I run Armoured cable above ground?
The cable can be run above ground, so long as it is kept away from anything that may damage the wire. You must also ensure it isn't a tripping hazard. To achieve this, and stop rodents from destroying the wire, install it at height with cleats.
What Is MC Cable Used For?
In other words, MC is useful for wiring your main electrical panel from your service head, your sub panel (if applicable) to your main electrical panel, and your individual outlets and lighting circuits from your main electrical panel. MC cable can be used inside and outside, in wet locations when specified, and in concealed or non-concealed areas.
What is MC wire?
Metal clad cable can be installed for service, feeder, and branch circuitry. In other words, MC is useful for wiring your main electrical panel from your service head, your sub panel (if applicable) to your main electrical panel, and your individual outlets and lighting circuits from your main electrical panel.
Is cable flexible?
Cable is flexible. Cable cuts easily. Many varieties useful for different applications (wet locations where corrosion can take place, direct burial, hospital settings, etc.) Indoor and outdoor use! Permitted in buildings with an unlimited height requirement. Commercial and residential use.
What Is Metal-Clad Cable?
Metal-clad cable comes in several varieties, but the type you’ll find most commonly is three insulated wires (two circuit conductors and a green equipment grounding conductor) protected by a flexible armor usually made from aluminum. MC cable is identified by the gauge of the wire, not the diameter of the armor. The most common sizes are 14 gauge, 12 gauge, and 10 gauge.
How to cut MC cable?
If you just have one or two cuts to make and don’t want to invest in a cutting tool, bend the MC cable sharply until the armor pops open, and then use that opening to start the cut with a side/diagonal cutter. You only need to cut through one section in the armor. This method will leave a jagged edge that will need to be trimmed after the armor is separated and the cut ends of the MC cable will be sharp, so be sure to wear gloves.
What is a greenfield cable?
Flexible metal conduit (FMC) is commonly called “Greenfield.”. The main difference between MC cable and FMC is that FMC doesn’t have the insulated wires pre-installed; you have to pull them through instead. This requires more work but gives you the option of pulling, and protecting, more than one circuit in the same conduit.
What is the most common size of FMC cable?
It also allows you to add wires in the future, something you can’t do with MC cable. FMC is identified by its diameter; the most common sizes are 1/2-in., 3/4-in. and 1-in. 4 / 12.
Do metal boxes need to be grounded?
Whether it’s the first box in a line or the only one on an entire circuit, every metal box needs to be grounded. Grounding a box is as simple as connecting the incoming and outgoing ground wires to a pigtail, and then connecting the pigtail to the box with a grounding screw.
Can you use MC cable with plastic box?
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. Make sure the metal box has knockout holes located where you need them, and don’t rely on the spurs on the bracket to hold the box in place—add a couple of screws as well.
Can you attach a connector to a MC cable?
You can attach a connector to MC cable, then join it to the box, but it’s easier to mount the connector on the box before feeding the wires through. Connectors like those shown above are popular with electricians because the one screw secures both the connector to the box and the MC cable to the connector.
Can MC cable be outside?
The MC Cable itself can be outside but it can't terminate outside as the listed mc connectors say "DRY ONLY".
Is MC cable suitable for outdoor installation?
There is MC cable that is suitable for outdoor/wet installation and so are there suitable connections available. Just gotta find it......
Can MC cable be installed in wet areas?
As far as I am aware (I do not have my White Book here), standard MC cable that is commonly installed is not permitted to be installed in wet or damp locations. Typically we see "Parking Deck" MC cable installed outdoors. This cable has a nonmetallic covering over the metallic sheath. I will look later at the UL White Book, or some manufacturers sites to verify this.
Can MC be used outdoors?
MC can be used outdoors, wet (if conductors so rated), and direct buried (if cable so rated). Click to expand... The insulated conductors under the metallic covering are listed for use in wet locations and a corrosion-resistant jacket is provided over the metallic sheath. Click to expand... Not open for further replies.
What type of cable is approved for wet and damp locations?
Many questions center on what cabling products are approved for wet and damp locations. Type AC cable is approved by the NEC for use only in dry locations. In order to comply with the NEC for use in wet locations, interlocked Type MC Cable must have a corrosion resistant jacket and wet location rated conductors.
What is MC cable?
Based on this definition, standard Armored Cable (AC) or Metal-Clad Cable (M C) may be used in locations that may be temporarily exposed to the elements such as rain during construction. Dry locations are not to be confused with damp locations which are protected from the elements and water saturation but may be subjected to moderate amounts ...
What is PVC jacketed cable?
PVC jacketed cable is also an ideal choice for locations where wiring is subjected to occasional dampness. An added benefit to PVC jacketed cables is the ability to develop a custom jacket color to blend in with the installation environment.
What is metal clad cable?
Metal-Clad Cable is a factory assembly of one or more insulated circuit conductors, with or without optical fiber members, enclosed in an armor of interlocking metal tape or a smooth or corrugated metallic sheath. Each electrical conductor within the cable is individually insulated and can be copper, copper-clad aluminum, or aluminum.
What article covers MC cable?
In the 1999 NEC, Article 334 covered Type MC Cable; however, in the 2002 NEC, Type MC Cable has been relocated into Article 330. Until you become familiar with the new location in the NEC, it may take some searching to find it.
Can a grounding conductor be one conductor?
The equipment grounding conductor may be one conductor or it may be sectioned into more than one conductor, which permits the cable to have a smaller overall diameter than a cable that incorporates only a single equipment grounding conductor. The equipment grounding conductor within the cable and the outside cable armor with the appropriate connector combine to form the grounding path for a fault and provide any necessary bonding for the equipment.
Can MC cables be buried?
These cables can be installed either indoors or outdoors and in exposed and concealed locations. They can be direct buried, where identified for such use.
Can MC cable be used in a wet location?
If installed in a wet location, the metallic cover must be impervious to moisture or the insulated conductors must be listed for use in a wet location. Type MC cable with a nonmetallic jacket can also be used in a wet location.
