aluminum m/c cable to dual function receptacle

dhsvcs

Member
Location
miami
Occupation
electrician
Can aluminum m/c cable be used to feed a dual function receptacle used as the first device for a circuit ?
 

augie47

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Tennessee
Occupation
State Electrical Inspector (Retired)
Yes, 210.12(A)(5) just says MC, so any listed MC would be permitted.
Not sure about later Codes but 2017:
(5) If RMC, IMC, EMT, Type MC, or steel-armored Type AC cables meeting the requirements of 250.118, metal wireways,
metal auxiliary gutters,
I mis-read and applied the "steel armor" to MC
oooppps
 

don_resqcapt19

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Illinois
Occupation
retired electrician
Not sure about later Codes but 2017:
(5) If RMC, IMC, EMT, Type MC, or steel-armored Type AC cables meeting the requirements of 250.118, metal wireways,
metal auxiliary gutters,
I mis-read and applied the "steel armor" to MC
oooppps
The 2023 is a bit different with steel having been removed.
(5) If metal raceway, metal wireways, metal auxiliary gutters, or Type MC or Type AC cable meeting the applicable requirements of 250.118, with metal boxes, metal conduit bodies, and metal enclosures are installed for the portion of the branch circuit between the branch-circuit overcurrent device and the first outlet, it shall be permitted to install a listed outlet branch-circuit-type AFCI at the first outlet to provide protection for the remaining portion of the branch circuit.
Note that the MC would have to either have a wire type equipment grounding conductor, or be of the newer type with the bare aluminum bonding conductor in contact with the metal sheath. That type also requires fittings that are marked “MCI-A,” or “Metal-Clad Interlocking Armored
Ground Cable Type”. The marking can be on the fitting or the carton the fitting comes in.
 

Fred B

Senior Member
Location
Upstate, NY
Occupation
Electrician
The Aluminum sheathed MC or sometimes marketed MC-Lite has no distinguishing conditions in code. But experience with this has been need to avoid contact with concrete walls. Been on multiple sites that someone used MC-Lite in a basement and every spot it had made contact or laid on the concrete it had totally corroded away. This doesn't seem to happen with the steel jacketed type. Seen lots of old BX in contact with basement walls with no real corrosion.
 
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