Identifying MC cable

[Valencia Instructor]

Hello!

I currently am instructing new electrical students in a college accelerated training course to join residential and commercial companies seeking to boost their work force.

I am searching for a way to identify MC cable partial rolls for the students. I can identify by feel, but that is an acquired skill.

Is there another way for a student to quickly identify 12-2 MC from 14-2 MC cable?

Thank you

 

[LarryFine]

Welcome to the forum.

Find either end, and strip it a little if necessary.

 

[xformer]

IMHO... This is not a code issue. But I did find this

https://library.coburns.com/specs/ENCORE/EncoreWire-MC_AL.pdf

I believe this is more of a manufacturer issue.

 

[ActionDave]

The wire gauge is printed on the conductor insulation.

 

[Valencia Instructor]

The wire gauge is printed on the conductor insulation.

seriously? but no...

 

[Valencia Instructor]

IMHO... This is not a code issue. But I did find this

https://library.coburns.com/specs/ENCORE/EncoreWire-MC_AL.pdf

I believe this is more of a manufacturer issue.

thank you, now wouldn't that be nice, ha ha.... not these rolls. nothing

 

[Fred B]

If there is no marking on the cable or the wire there usually is a thin tape of plastic wrapped in the wire that has all the required information printed on it.

 

[electrofelon]

If there is no marking on the cable or the wire there usually is a thin tape of plastic wrapped in the wire that has all the required information printed on it. View attachment 2569921

And interesting to note it's ONLY marked THHN, so no wet locations. I have seen that on smaller MC before.

 

[Valencia Instructor]

And interesting to note it's ONLY marked THHN, so no wet locations. I have seen that on smaller MC before.

I think you are talking IC cable, not MC. We do not have the plastic sheathing. thank you

 

[electrofelon]

I think you are talking IC cable, not MC. We do not have the plastic sheathing. thank you

No I was talking about MC. What is IC cable?

 

[Valencia Instructor]

No I was talking about MC. What is IC cable?

Do you have a insulated ground wire or an aluminum bond wire, IC cable must use an anti short. MC it is not NEC requried.

 

[electrofelon]

Do you have a insulated ground wire or an aluminum bond wire, IC cable must use an anti short. MC it is not NEC requried.

I'm confused. I don't have anything. My comment was regarding the cable in post #7 which is MC cable. I still don't know what IC cable is, or how we got on anti short bushings.

 

[Fred B]

I'm confused. I don't have anything. My comment was regarding the cable in post #7 which is MC cable. I still don't know what IC cable is, or how we got on anti short bushings.

Picture 7 is MC, I bought it. It Is insulated Ground, and doesn't have AL bonding wire.
AC cable would have the bonding wire. But don't know what IC cable is.

 

[Valencia Instructor]

I'm confused. I don't have anything. My comment was regarding the cable in post #7 which is MC cable. I still don't know what IC cable is, or how we got on anti short bushings.

ha ha,,,,,why not! ha haa, I typed it wrong....from what I saw from your post the cable with the plastic sheathing inside, most likely does not have an insulated ground wire.

 

[TwoBlocked]

Hello!

I currently am instructing new electrical students in a college accelerated training course to join residential and commercial companies seeking to boost their work force.

I am searching for a way to identify MC cable partial rolls for the students. I can identify by feel, but that is an acquired skill.

Is there another way for a student to quickly identify 12-2 MC from 14-2 MC cable?

Thank you

Burndy Wire Mike, I got one after I took a tape measure reading, gave it to the supplier, and got 350 MCM instead of 500 MCM. My measurement was correct, his determination was not.

J Harlen Co. - Burndy Wire-Mike

Burndy Wire-Mike

www.jharlen.com

 

[TwoBlocked]

Huh, or use strippers and see what size it is by how it strips.

 

[Valencia Instructor]

The wire gauge is printed on the conductor insulation.

no it is not

 

[Valencia Instructor]

Picture 7 is MC, I bought it. It Is insulated Ground, and doesn't have AL bonding wire.
AC cable would have the bonding wire. But don't know what IC cable is.

I stand corrected Sir! I will be the first to admit my "short circuit" ha ha...I took a closer look at the plastic sheathing inside and indeed it does identify the wire size and type!! Thank you very much for your persistence to clear my fault, ha haaaa

 

[Valencia Instructor]

If there is no marking on the cable or the wire there usually is a thin tape of plastic wrapped in the wire that has all the required information printed on it. View attachment 2569921

Thank you!! some times the answer is right in front of your face,, ha haaaaa