jackman435
Member
- Location
- Fort Dix, NJ
Have been in this business a long time, but just recently ran into some Electrician's from Detroit who told me they only use stranded MC cable. New one on me. What are it's applications?
mc cable with stranded conductors
- Thread starter jackman435
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Massachusetts
Pretty much anyplace you would use solid MC.
That said, having used solid for many years I did not like stranded MC the few times I tried it.
I am used to be able to push MC up over things and you just can not do that at all with the stranded MC, its like trying to push a rope up over a beam.
Also I find making up 15 and 20 amp devices easier with solid.
That said, having used solid for many years I did not like stranded MC the few times I tried it.
I am used to be able to push MC up over things and you just can not do that at all with the stranded MC, its like trying to push a rope up over a beam.
Also I find making up 15 and 20 amp devices easier with solid.
Cow
Senior Member
- Location
- Eastern Oregon
- Occupation
- Electrician
That is the one and only place I use stranded MC. Plus, stranded is just slightly more expensive if I remember correctly.
NorthwestPV
Member
- Location
- Oregon, US
We use stranded MC when serving drops to hung fixtures. Some inspectors require it in that application because of the movement.
Silly inspectors enforcing the Code.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
I've used stranded MC a few times and loved it, especially in #10 AWG. It's much easier to pull especially a 10/3 or 10/4 cable.
It's beyond stupid. I think I'll use solid whips for the next lights just because
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Well just be transparent and make sure your inspector is aware of the requirement, then if he lets you slide let us know.
Roger
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
Solid conductor works best when terminating on screw terminal devices as well as push-in connectors (like Wago Wall nuts).
Stranded conductors likely pull easier (even when in a cable assembly) then solid conductors. I have trended toward mostly using pressure plate termination type switches and receptacles and stranded is maybe just a little faster to terminate and push the device in, but sort of doesn't make too much difference otherwise but I also have started using Wago Wall nuts more often then twist on wire connectors and though they do accept stranded conductors (not fine stranded conductors) they sometimes don't push in all that well and are a PITA when that happens. 14 AWG is worse then 12 AWG. I hate 10 stranded for anything except when it must terminate under a screw head, but even then we are often talking an EGC terminating under a screw and the other conductors under a clamping terminal - I'd still rather have the stranded conductors and crimp some fork terminal on the EGC if it makes it easier to terminate.
Stranded conductors likely pull easier (even when in a cable assembly) then solid conductors. I have trended toward mostly using pressure plate termination type switches and receptacles and stranded is maybe just a little faster to terminate and push the device in, but sort of doesn't make too much difference otherwise but I also have started using Wago Wall nuts more often then twist on wire connectors and though they do accept stranded conductors (not fine stranded conductors) they sometimes don't push in all that well and are a PITA when that happens. 14 AWG is worse then 12 AWG. I hate 10 stranded for anything except when it must terminate under a screw head, but even then we are often talking an EGC terminating under a screw and the other conductors under a clamping terminal - I'd still rather have the stranded conductors and crimp some fork terminal on the EGC if it makes it easier to terminate.
- Location
- Massachusetts
None of our guys felt that way, stranded MC was disliked by most around here and you would now have to special order it.
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
I love stranded MC. I don't use it all the time because it is special order. If enough other people would catch on to how nice it is it wouldn't have to be special order and I would use it all the time. I may start pointing out 410.56(E) to my inspectors to get the ball rolling.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
You talking all stranded conductors (small sizes) or just MC cable?
- Status