HCF Paint Identifiers

[Don Brem]

The Electrical Contractor on a hospital initially was using an HCF Cable (steel armor)that was stripped green silver and a color signifying the ungrounded current carrying conductor color. They have recently began using an aluminum armored HCF that is painted a bright solid green and a cable that they are claiming is HCF which is silver with no paint at all.

Do they make an HCF that is not designated with green paint?

The mylar wrap inside reads "Do Nlot Use Set Screw Connectors" and "For Cable Tray Use"

Thank You,

Don

 

[roger]

Yes they do. We recently had a shipment of a few thousand feet of silver HCF.

It hasn't been that many years that green HCF has become the norm.

You should make the contractor show you the manufacturers tag off of a roll. You can also check to see if there is an aluminum runner as well as an insulated green conductor.

Roger

 

[infinity]

Regular old HCF cable is a type of AC cable. This is readily distinguishable from MC cable by the individual paper wrapping around each conductor. If the cable contains a mylar wrap around all of the conductors it's most likely MC cable. HCF-MC like HCF-AC will have a bonding strip in contact with the armor. The exterior coloring on the cable is provided by certain manufacturers but are by no means required. As Roger mentioned you should look at the tag that came on the coil or do a physical inspection to determine the cable type.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

Regular old HCF cable is a type of AC cable. This is readily distinguishable from MC cable by the individual paper wrapping around each conductor. If the cable contains a mylar wrap around all of the conductors it's most likely MC cable. HCF-MC like HCF-AC will have a bonding strip in contact with the armor. The exterior coloring on the cable is provided by certain manufacturers but are by no means required. As Roger mentioned you should look at the tag that came on the coil or do a physical inspection to determine the cable type.

I have yet to see any but green but will be watching.

 

[Don Brem]

HCF Paint identifiers

HCF Paint identifiers

This was my first post and I just wanted to thank all who enlightened me in regards to this subject. Your site is "great" and I will be spreading the word.

Thanks to all,

Don Brem