Some of the unique features of MC cable include:
- Sheathing: This cable type is defined by the metal sheathing surrounding the insulated wires. ...
- Wires: MC cables contain three wires minimum — two are conductor wires and one is a ground wire. ...
- Wire coatings: The wires in MC cables are either THNN — which are thermoplastic, high-heat and nylon-jacketed — or THWN-2 wires — which are thermoplastic, high-heat and water-resistant. ...
What is MC wire?
What Is MC Cable Used For?
Is cable flexible?
What gauge wire is MC cable?
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.
Is Thhn wire in MC cable?
A: Traditional MC Cables have a THHN/THWN insulated copper conductor with polypropylene wrap and are designed to meet UL 1569 standards. Metal Clad Cable or MC Cable will have one or more grounding conductors.
What is MC cable made of?
MC cable comes in various versions such as with corrugated copper armor or with an outer supplementary corrosion-resistant material. Conductors are copper, aluminum, or copper-clad aluminum (solid or stranded).
What is the aluminum wire in MC?
Aluminum Conductor - Aluminum MC Cable is suitable for use in branch, feeder and service power distribution under high ambient temperature in commercial, industrial, institutional, casinos and multi-residential buildings; for power, lighting, control and signal circuits; in concealed or exposed installations; in ...
Is THHN and AWG the same?
Many people get confused about the differences between THHN electrical wire and 6 AWG welding cable. Although these two products are created out of similar products, copper wire and insulation, there are very important differences concerning usage, flexibility, and durability.
What is difference between THHN and THWN?
The main difference between these two standards is their maximum temperature in wet locations. THWN has a maximum temperature of 90°C in dry and wet locations, whereas THHN wire can only be used in temperatures as high as 75°C in wet locations. However, most of these wires, so you can use THHN and THWN interchangeably.
What type of wire does an EMT use?
The wire of choice for feeders and branch circuits in residential locations is Type NM, non-metallic sheathed cable. It is inexpensive, quick and easy to use, and requires a minimum of tools.
Can you run MC cable exposed?
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].
What is type so wire?
SO / SOOW Power Cord The "S" in "SO" stands for "Extra Hard Service." This means that the wire is able to be used in applications requiring 600 volts or less. The second letter, "O" stands for "Oil Resistant," which means the outer jacket of the cable is oil resistant.
What is 500 MC wire used for?
MC Cable is approved for power, lighting, control and signal circuits. MC Cable can be used in cable tray and other approved raceways and can be exposed or concealed. MC Cable can be used in places of assembly of 100 people or more, such as studios and theaters.
What does CLX cable stand for?
Continuously Corrugated Copper Weld (CLX) – This medium-voltage cabling is used for controls, instrumentation, and other low-voltage applications. The corrugated metal sheath can be made from aluminum, copper, steel, or bronze, and has a wavy look to it.
What is Mcap wire?
0:092:05MCAP® Metal Clad All Purpose Cable - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipProcess MC AP cable eliminates one conductor termination in every outlet. Every box every time fewerMoreProcess MC AP cable eliminates one conductor termination in every outlet. Every box every time fewer terminations means less box ville. And less stress on electrical.
How many conductors are in MC cable?
MC cables have 2 or more solid or stranded conductors in sizes 18 AWG and larger.
Can I use MC cable instead of conduit?
Type MC armored cable can be installed in cable tray, racks, hangers, or as a cost-effective replacement for conduit and wire where specified per the National Electrical Code (NEC).
Where is MC cable not permitted?
330 of the NEC mentions that MC cable can be used indoor and outdoor but does not make mention of it being allowed or disallowed for use in damp environments. It does state that when used in wet locations there must be a corrosion-resistant jacket to protect the conductors.
What size is the wire in 10 2 MC?
A 16 AWG aluminum bond wire is placed inside the armor, runs longitudinally and is in intimate contact with the armor for its entire length.
What is MC cable?
MC Cable, by most common definition, is a factory assembly of one or more insulated circuit conductors enclosed in an armor of interlocking metal tape or a smooth or corrugated metal sheath. The smaller cables should be unsheathed by using an armored cutter like the famous “Roto-Split”. The fittings must be listed and identified for use. If the manufacturer provides anti-short bushings, they can be used. The bushings are not an NEC requirement since the listed MC connectors provide the conductor protection from sharp edges.
How many bends does MC cable have?
A run of conduit is limited to 360 degrees whereas MC cable has an unlimited number of bends.
How long can MC cable be unsupported?
Above the ceiling, small MC cable can be unsupported in lengths up to 6’ as allowed in Article 330.30 (D)(2), luminaire connection. Article 330.30 (D) (3) allows cable to be unsupported for up to 3’ where it is connected to equipment and needed to be flexible and to minimize the transmission of vibration. MC Cable can even be grouped together; see Article 310.15 (C) (1) (d) and the exception. Also new to the 2020 NEC is Article 330.80 (C) Thermal Insulation. This article addresses MC Cable installed in contact with thermal insulation, caulk, or sealing foam and refers us to adjustment factors as found in Table 310.15 (C) (1).
How much does MC cable save?
Using MC Cable can save a lot of valuable labor hours versus the installation of conduit. In fact, MC cable reduces overall installed costs by roughly 30-50% when compared to the installation of conduit and wire. The cable can be used quickly from small 250’ rolls or even much larger 1000’ spools of cable.
Do you need NEC for MC connectors?
The fittings must be listed and identified for use. If the manufacturer provides anti-short bushings, they can be used. The bushings are not an NEC requirement since the listed MC connectors provide the conductor protection from sharp edges.
What is PVC jacketed MC?
PVC-jacketed MC has a coating over the length of it that makes the inside of the conductor impervious to moisture. It also allows for the conductor to be in direct contact with the earth for use in direct-burial applications.
How many times the diameter of a conductor?
Twelve times the overall diameter of one of the individual conductors or seven times the overall diameter of the multiconductor cable, whichever is greater.
Can MC cable be used indoors?
330 of the NEC mentions that MC cable can be used indoor and outdoor but does not make mention of it being allowed or disallowed for use in damp environments. It does state that when used in wet locations there must be a corrosion-resistant jacket to protect the conductors. However if you look into the UL listing for MC cable it is designed to be a dry-environment cable assembly. Use your discretion on this, but it’s always better to err on the side of caution when interpreting code. For wet and dry environments there is an MC cable assembly that is listed and approved for both.
Do you need to use anti short bushings with MC cable?
As of 2017 there is no requirement in the National Electric Code for MC to use anti-short bushings in MC cable installations. There is, however, a code which calls for them with the use of AC cable (320.40). Most wire-manufacturers include bundles of these bushing with every roll of MC cable they sell, as an courtesy in the event you choose to use them. You do not need to with MC. I find this a little bizarre, since AC and MC are fundamentally the same thing. The same problems exist in both instances, so I still prefer to use them. The national electric code is a minimum standard, which means you can go above and beyond them…you just can’t fall short.
Is MC cable the same as AC?
MC cable typically has either an insulated or bare FULL SIZED equipment grounding conductor inside of it – or sometimes both depending on the purpose of the MC. AC has a small #16AWG equipment grounding conductor in it. The codes in the 2017 NEC have variations in them between MC and AC on things such as bushings as well as the bonding conductor requirements, that is all to say, they are not the same thing. Think Metallica and Megadeth or Audioslave and Soundgarden. Essentially the same…but different.
How many wires are in a MC cable?
Wires: MC cables contain three wires minimum — two are conductor wires and one is a ground wire. Of the conductors, one is a hot conductor and the other is a neutral conductor. An MC cable may contain more than one hot conductor.
What is MC cable?
MC cable is defined as an assembly of one or more insulated circuits, often enclosed with an armor of metal tape or a metallic sheath. The most popular MC cables today feature aluminum interlocked armor.
What is the sheathing on a Romex cable?
Sheathing: The sheath for Romex cable is commonly made of PVC material , which is flexible but easily penetrated. Each conductor in the cable is insulated individually, and the bundle of wires is also insulated as a whole, ensuring two layers of protection.
What is a romex wire?
Romex is the trade name for a type of electrical cable that has non-metallic sheathing. Produced by Southwire, this electrical wire is one of the most common types of wire used in indoor residential applications. Also called NM cable or NMC, this type of cable is a much more recent development compared to MC cable, used primarily within the last 40 years. This wire is also called SIMpull, which is another trademark of Southwire referring to the jacketing used on Romex wires.
How is MC cable grounded?
Grounding: MC cable is grounded through its metal armor or through an internal ground wire. If grounded through the metal casing, this casing needs to be attached to metal boxes. Romex is grounded through an internal ground wire since the sheathing is non-conductive.
What is cable sheathing?
Sheathing: This cable type is defined by the metal sheathing surrounding the insulated wires. Typically consisting of aluminum, this cable sheath covers the wires in an interlocking configuration to allow for flexibility and coverage.
What is a THNN wire?
Wire coatings: The wires in MC cables are either THNN — which are thermoplastic, high-heat and nylon-jacketed — or THWN-2 wires — which are thermoplastic, high-heat and water-resistant. These coatings insulate wires to make them suitable for various MC cable applications.
Why does the cable need armor?
The armor is made of metal in armored cables, such as steel, copper, or aluminum. The goal of the armor is to provide the cable with physical protection from the environment. It mainly protects the cord from physical damage. Therefore, armored wires are only used in environments where mechanical damage is probable.
What sets metal-clad and armored cables apart?
The main difference between the AC wire and the MC wire is that the metal-clad cable has a standard ground wire, whereas the AC cable relies on a jacket in combination with a wire or thin strip to secure the grounding. The metal armor can also act as a part of the earth grounding in combination with the bonding wire.
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.
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.
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.
