Armored cable is meant to resist damage to the conductors from contact with other materials (like a duct). The armor itself is grounded when properly installed, and touching other metal should pose no risk (assuming the armor is not so bent or compressed as to expose the conductors).
Can BX wire be exposed?
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).
What is the disadvantage of BX armored cable?
The main drawback is that BX is more expensive. It is about 35-40% more for the cable than BX. It is also slightly more difficult to install, as cutting the metal sheathing takes slightly more time, than cutting NM cable.
Can you run MC cable exposed?
Section 330.15 states: Exposed runs of cable, except as provided in 300.11(A), shall closely follow the surface of the building finish or running boards. Exposed runs shall also be permitted to be installed on the underside of joists where supported at each joist and located so as not to be subject to physical damage.
Where can I use armored cable?
To put it in context, typically armoured cables would be used when you require the cable to be buried directly underground, for outdoor installation or in tunnels. There may be instances where the ground is opened up again, and in the process, a spade or mechanical excavator may hit the buried cable by accident.
Is BX wire copper or aluminum?
Copper/Aluminum BX Cable Scrap is made up of plastic insulated copper wire that is coated with aluminum casing.
Can you run armored cable exposed?
It is permitted for indoor or outdoor service, feeder, or branch circuits and can be exposed or concealed.
Is BX cable better than Romex?
Romex cables are light and have a slippery coating that easily pulls through holes. BX cables are safer and protect against any accidental penetrations. Romex cables have vinyl sheathing that you can penetrate easily. A BX cable usually is grounded through an internal plastic-coated ground wire or metal armor.
Can you run armored cable outside?
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. They can be installed in a cable tray or in any raceway.
How do you cut BX wire?
I like to recommend putting it on over the paper I think it's easier. So you see that there's an open end here you snap it on overtop.
Can you connect Romex to BX?
Quote from the video:
And now we're going to show you how we hooked up the bx cable. And our romex here so i'm going to send it over to my dad here and we'll talk you through it well the bx cable.
What is the difference between BX and MC cable?
BX became the registered trade name of AC Cable distributed by General Electric who had acquired Sprague Electric. The biggest difference between the two cable systems is that MC has full size ground wire while AC uses a combination of the jacket and a thin bonding strip or wire to function as the equipment ground.
Can BX be exposed in garage?
It is permitted by the NEC to be run exposed unless subject to physical damage, which is a completely subjective requirement. IMO unless there’s a chance of being easily damaged then it’s fine if run exposed. The NEC specifically permits AC cable to be run on the underside of floor joists if stapled to every joist.
Can you use armored cable in Chicago?
It will also codifies a February memorandum that permitted use of flexible metal conduit, armored cable, and metal-clad cable in some existing walls, partitions and ceilings during existing building rehabilitation.
How long can you run BX cable?
You can easily find spools of BX cable up to 1,000 feet long. The actual gauge for your project will depend upon the length and the operating load to be fed at the far end.
Does armored cable need to be grounded?
Because all-dielectric armored cable has no metallic components, there is no need to ground or bond the cable. Also, the cable design allows for quicker and safer cable installation because compared to conductive cable it is lighter, easier to access, and the armor does not produce sharp edges when accessed.
Can steel wire be used for ground?
Grounding protects the network and eliminates damage from lightning and short-circuit conditions. Annealed or hard drawn CopperClad Steel Wire is an ideal grounding conductor for primary surge arresters as it allows a continuous length of conductor to be installed from the arrester to the buried grounding electrode.
How do you connect armored cable to box?
Quote from the video:
Ahead of where you're stripping the cable off because that wire will go inside the box so anyway it'll work like. This that's all you need and then bingo in that slick.
How the armoured cable is grounded?
So… to answer the question… a properly installed armored cable is grounded (earthed) by its installation practice. The voltage you are seeing is called stray voltage, its magnetically induced into the cable by wiring and devices in the house. Twisted pairs and shielding are used ro reduce this voltage pickup.
Does armoured cable need RCD protection?
there is no requirement to afford rcd protection to cables buried outside. socket circuits that COULD be used outdoors MUST have RCD protection, when this is a domestic installation.
Can armoured cable be 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.
