Knowledge Builders

what is the difference between bx cable and mc cable

by Dewitt Farrell Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
image

difference between mc and bx cable

  • Power Cable. Power cables are mainly used for power transmission and distribution purpose. ...
  • Bare Overhead Conductor. Bare Overhead Conductors are used in overhead transmission and distribution network applications.They are also used for un-insulated hook ups, jumpers, grounding conductors and other applications.
  • Aerial Bundled 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.Mar 26, 2013

Full Answer

Can I use MC Cable over BX cable?

BX cable is more expensive than NM cable. NM cable tends to run about 25 percent cheaper than BX cable as it ships lighter and uses fewer source materials. Handling. BX is heavy and difficult to run through studs. Not only is NM cable light, but the slippery coating makes the cable easy to pull through holes in studs.

When to use MC Cable?

  • Permitted uses. Article 330.10 of the NEC lists 12 general uses and four specific uses for MC cable. ...
  • Suitable applications. As an example of the application of these two wiring methods, a reading of Art. ...
  • Installation basics. MC cable can be manipulated with a few simple tools. ...

What is the difference between AC vs. MC Cable?

AC Cables range from 14 AWG through 1AWG, whereas MC Cables can range from 18 AWG through large feeder size cables. AC Cables have insulated conductors that are wrapped with a moisture resistant, fire retardant Kraft paper whereas MC Cables come with an overall polypropylene wrap. Another difference between the two cable types is the ground path.

What is the difference between armored cable and MC Cable?

  • 600 V
  • 2000 V
  • 2.4 kV to 35 kV Medium Voltage (MV)
  • Composite cables that include optical-fiber members (OF)

image

Is MC and BX cable the same?

For those who are not familiar with the difference between the two, BX has a mechanical ground as part of the armored cable wall or jacket, where MC has an "extra" green wire that is used for grounding purposes.

Is BX a MC?

Going under alternative names such as metallic sheathed cable, type AC, MC, Greenfield, or armored cable, BX cable is a collection of plastic-coated insulated wires (typically 14- or 12-gauge), bundled together and protected by a ribbon-like metal sheathing.

What does BX wire stand for?

Apr 7, 2006. Per Jim Dollins, VP of Product Development for AFC Cable Systems, the term "BX" stands for "Product "B" - Experimental." Apparently, back when the product was first developed, the first manufacturer of this product had only one product at the time: "Product "A"".

What is the difference between armored cable and MC cable?

AC uses a bare aluminum bond wire plus the armor as the ground path, Traditional Type MC Cables utilize a green insulated grounding conductor and the armor is not an approved grounding means.

Can BX cable be used as ground?

Most BX is neither safe or acceptable for use as an equipment grounding conductor. Only BX which includes a bonding wire or bonding strip may be used as ground.

Is BX cable still used?

Our house was built in 1905 and while a lot of the electric has been replaced throughout the its 115 year life, a lot of the old BX cable (likely original or close to it) is still in use; mostly for lamps, lights, general use outlets (non-heavy duty).

Can you use BX in residential?

Today, residential construction primarily uses three types of wiring, Non-Metallic (NM) cable being the most common; followed by BX (also know as Armor Clad, or Flexible Metal Conduit), and individual conductors run inside conduit.

Can you use MC cable in a garage?

Can MC cable (14-2) be used to wire a residential garage? Article 330 says it can be used as open runs of cable not subject to physical damage. Rather than fish wires through walls, the MC cable would be run exposed to supply electrical outlets. Also, there is no seperate ground wire, just the bonding wire.

Is MC cable better than Romex?

Safety: Compared to Romex, MC cable is safer to install due to its metallic sheath. This sheath helps protect against accidental shearing and penetration, reducing the risk for accidental wire exposure. Romex sheathing is easily penetrated or sheared, making it less safe unless run through protective conduit.

Is MC cable suitable for outdoor use?

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. They can be direct buried, where identified for such use.

What is the difference between Romex and BX?

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.

Is BX wire copper or aluminum?

BX Cable / AC Lite Aluminum Armored Cable - UL and RoHS Compliant.

What is a BX connector?

Use: BX connectors are used to terminate steel Armored. Cable to a 1/2" knock-out in a dry. location box or enclosure.

Power Cable

Power cables are mainly used for power transmission and distribution purpose. It is an assembly of one or more individually insulated electrical conductors, usually held together with an overall sheath. The assembly is used for transmission and distribution of electrical power.

Bare Overhead Conductor

Bare Overhead Conductors are used in overhead transmission and distribution network applications.They are also used for un-insulated hook ups, jumpers, grounding conductors and other applications.

Aerial Bundled Cable

Aerial bundled cables (also aerial bundled conductors or simply ABC) are overhead power lines using several insulated phase conductors bundled tightly together, usually with a bare neutral conductor. Our abc calbe conform to ASTM, IEC, SANS standards.……Including: abc cables, cvered line wire, service drop wire etc.

ARM Information Center

Using this site ARM Forums and knowledge articles Most popular knowledge articles Frequently asked questions How do I navigate the site?

McBench

Demo files for "Algorithm Development with MATLAB" Webinar — (view on file exchange) These are the demo files for "Algorithm Development with MATLAB …

Cable Gland Specification – Hawke International

Why Should You Specify Cable Glands? How often have we heard:-“We don’t specify Cable Glands, as long as they have the relevant certification then it must be fit for …

Date & Time – MVPs

Date and Time in Excel. … Placing a current date or time that will update on recalculation (#now) The use of NOW () will place the system date and time into the cell …

What is BX cable?

What Are BX Cable and Wire? Going under alternative names such as metallic sheathed cable, type AC, MC, Greenfield, or armored cable, BX cable is a collection of plastic-coated insulated wires (typically 14- or 12-gauge), bundled together and protected by a ribbon-like metal sheathing.

When was BX cable invented?

BX is one of the earliest types of electrical cable developed for both residential and commercial uses in the early part of the 20th century. Forms of BX can still be found by homeowners renovating their homes.

What is the difference between BX and NM?

A chief distinction between BX and NM is that BX can achieve grounding through the outer metal casing. This casing needs to be attached to metal boxes. Another distinction is that some types of BX cable can be installed in exposed locations, either indoors or outdoors.

How much does a BX cutter cost?

If you expect to be doing a lot of cutting, you may wish to invest in a special BX cutter, such as the Roto-Split. This tool costs between $20 and $50 and makes the job of splitting and ripping back BX cable far easier and safer than by hand.

Can BX cable be cut?

BX cable's metal sheathing can be hard to cut without nicking or severing the inner wire. NM cable, too, presents the danger of nicking inner wires. But because the outer sheathing is softer, less force is required to cut it.

Can you cut armor without a BX?

It is possible to cut and rip the armor without a BX cutting tool. You can cut the outer armor with a hacksaw, assisted with a strong pair of wire snippers or pliers. With this method, there is the danger of nicking the insulation on the inner wires, not to mention lacerating your fingers on the sharp metal armor.

Can BX armor be pierced?

BX's armor, while much stronger than NM's vinyl, can still be pierced by a determined and ill-placed nail or screw. However, with the exception of electrical wires that run through rigid metal conduits, no other type of electrical cable has as ...

image

1.MC Cable and BX Cable: What Is It? - Fiber Savvy

Url:https://www.fibersavvy.com/blogs/news/mc-cable-and-bx-cable-what-is-it

21 hours ago The first thing you need to know about these terms is that BX cable and MC cable are both referring to armored cable. BX cable is actually a branded name for AC or armored cable. The same way we refer to any medical adhesive strip as Band-Aids, BX cable is simply the name a company chose for their armored cable and it just stuck. MC cable is easier to remember …

2.difference between mc and bx cable - - JYTOP Power cable

Url:https://www.xlpe-cable.com/difference-between-mc-and-bx-cable/

32 hours ago BX provides all the advantages of NM cable plus some additional benefits. The flexible metal sheathing is easy to install, about as easy as NM cable. Secondly, can you use MC cable in a house? 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 ...

3.Armor Cable, MC, AC, BX etc. - Mike Holt's Forum

Url:https://forums.mikeholt.com/threads/armor-cable-mc-ac-bx-etc.73744/

19 hours ago Type MC Manufacturer Per Jim Dollins, VP of Product Development for AFC Cable Systems, the term “BX” stands for “Product “B” – Experimental.” Apparently, back when the product was first developed, the first manufacturer of this product had only one product at the time: “Product “A””.

4.BX Cable and Wire: What to Know Before You Buy - The …

Url:https://www.thespruce.com/bx-wire-guide-to-armored-electrical-cable-1821519

20 hours ago “BX” is a brand name of armored cable (AC). AC and metal-clad cable (MC) are similar in uses and construction. The main difference is that AC has a copper or aluminum …

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9