MC-AP cable

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ivsenroute

ivsenroute

Senior Member
Location
Florida
Does anyone have any experience with this Southwire product?

I am planning on using it if I get the bid for a large commercial job that I am bidding. It appears as though it will save a significant amount of time for the same price as regular MC. I like the snap in connectors and they will cost a little more since they are rated for the MC-AT.

I am liking the fact that I will not have to connect a grounding conductor as long as all of the devices are self grounding and it will reduce box fill by one or in my case 2.25 since I am using all 12awg.

Just curious.
 
iwire

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
ivsenroute, just keep an eye out for job specs that require copper EGCs.

A member of the forum already got caught on that after he roughed the job with MCap.
 
I

ITO

Senior Member
Location
Texas
It is legal here, but I have yet to see a set of specs that allow it.

I would gladly use it if and when I ever get a chance.
 
ivsenroute

ivsenroute

Senior Member
Location
Florida
iwire said:
ivsenroute, just keep an eye out for job specs that require copper EGCs.

A member of the forum already got caught on that after he roughed the job with MCap.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up. In this case, there are no specs, I am adding a sub panel and electric baseboard heat to offices at a municipal building (providing I get the job) and I am choosing the MCap.

I was told by the rep at our IAEI meeting that the EGC in the MCap has a higher ground fault ampacity and a better bond to the boxes.
 
peter d

peter d

Senior Member
Location
New England
iwire said:
That is what they say in these videos, they show the testing and explain why it is tested at higher levels. Of course they are trying to sell it.
Click to expand...

Logically it makes sense that it would have a lower impedance. The combination of the armor and aluminum bonding conductor is simply more metal and surface area in the fault path.
 
I

ITO

Senior Member
Location
Texas
There is absolutely nothing wrong with it, and if it saves you money and time then why not?

I remember when MC was first allowed here, and all the yahoos going nuts about how bad it was and how it was going to be a problem; now everyone uses it...with no problems.
 
peter d

peter d

Senior Member
Location
New England
emahler said:
i still am not positive of the difference between MC-AP and the old BX....
Click to expand...

The construction of it and basic principles of installation of it are fundamentally the same.

The major difference in my view is that since MC-Ap is listed as MC cable, it's not subject to the restrictions that AC cable is.
 
J

jmargolis79

Member
Location
minneapolis
I have been using it for almost a year now. Not one call back on it. It's lighter to drag around. If you pull from the middle you can leave the plastic wrap on and it's doesn't get messed up in the back of your van.
 
C

Cow

Senior Member
Location
Eastern Oregon
Occupation
Electrician
I'd like to try it. I don't think anyone around here is using it yet, and sadly I don't see any MC jobs in my near future.
 
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