Is type MC cable a type AC cable ?

[rellimike]

Application: adding hard wired smoke alarms in existing house AFCI required
however:
NEC 210.12 (B) Exception No. 2: Where a branch circuit to a fire alarm system installed in accordance with 760.41(B) and 760.121(B) is installed in RMC, IMC, EMT, or steel armored cable, Type AC, meeting the requirements of 250.118, with metal outlet and junction boxes, AFCI protection shall be permitted to be omitted.
Is type MC cable a type of AC cable ?
I hope this makes sense.
Mike

 

[Dennis Alwon]

AC cable is an armored cable. To be precise it is a steel armored cable. Type MC is metal clad cable so it is not AC cable.

 

[chris kennedy]

Is type MC cable a type of AC cable ?

Two different animals.

320.2 Definition.
Armored Cable, Type AC. A fabricated assembly of insulated conductors in a flexible metallic enclosure. See 320.100.

330.2 Definition.
Metal Clad Cable, Type MC. A factory assembly of one or more insulated circuit conductors with or without optical fiber members enclosed in an armor of interlocking metal tape, or a smooth or corrugated metallic sheath.

Also MC doesn't meet the requirements of 250.118.

 

[augie47]

In direct answer to your question. Type AC and type MC cables are two different types of similar cables.See Art 320 and Art 330 in the NEC.
Addressing your post, the exception in 210.12(B) is in regard to "fire alarm systems" thus the reference to 760. The exception does not apply to smoke alarms.