electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
. Around here some old timers referred to it as "Rat proof Romex"
. I call MC "metal ramen"
. Around here some old timers referred to it as "Rat proof Romex"
I should have said in post #18 that yes AC Is in the same category as MCAP as far as not having a wire EGC to terminate. Around here AC is so rare, most people don't even know it's a thing and will say something like "you mean bx? No you can't get that anymore".Aluminum jacket BX (AC cable) is popular now around here. It is light. Its jacket prover Ofer a decade so it does not separate when pulled.
BX connectors have to be designed for AL tho. Many guys use set screw bx connectors which bothered me but then I saw set screw connector listed for AL jacket.
I should have said in post #18 that yes AC Is in the same category as MCAP as far as not having a wire EGC to terminate. Around here AC is so rare, most people don't even know it's a thing and will say something like "you mean bx? No you can't get that anymore".
Curious, how does the cost of AC compare to 12/2 MC where you are?
I have never had those problems. The chosen bushings should be large enough that the ends overlap when pushed into the sheath, and turned so the split is 180 deg. from the cut ends of the metal.The split bushings (red heads) are a JOKE! The split is exactly where wire will go, and right to a sharp metal edge of the MC. The clad is thin, there is no way to "remove the bur". The bushings never stay in place, and I could design something in 20min that is better, but I also think I am not the only guy that has run into this. Maybe better products exist.
Count me in as a member. How is it any different than the Romex cult with the bare EGC?But the green wire cult is very very strong.
I have also not had those problems. The connector should retain the redhead. Maybe you were using the wrong connectors?The split bushings (red heads) are a JOKE! The split is exactly where wire will go, and right to a sharp metal edge of the MC. The clad is thin, there is no way to "remove the bur". The bushings never stay in place, and I could design something in 20min that is better, but I also think I am not the only guy that has run into this. Maybe better products exist.
Well you need an EGC. How would one provide and EGC without using a wire for NM? If the sheath is metallic, why not make that the EGC? Seems like a waste to provide a wire, not only for material cost but then more labor of terminating it.Count me in as a member. How is it any different than the Romex cult with the bare EGC?
-Hal
Uggh! How about the manufacturer recommended Roto-Split? Sure, maybe a bit more work but you get a clean armor cut because it cuts with a saw blade at the proper angle.I recommend Klein 1104's for cutting the armor
MC, with its separate insulated EGC was developed to be an armored cable that does away with the problems of the connectors and armor being used to provide EGC continuity like AC does. It is bullet proof. But I guess after some time, the guys who used AC and were switched to MC got annoyed with having to deal with another conductor, so some MC was watered down to again use the armor and connectors for the EGC. Why bother? Just use AC to begin with.Well you need an EGC. How would one provide and EGC without using a wire for NM? If the sheath is metallic, why not make that the EGC? Seems like a waste to provide a wire, not only for material cost but then more labor of terminating it.
The 1104's make a real nice cut, much better than dykes.Uggh! How about the manufacturer recommended Roto-Split? Sure, maybe a bit more work but you get a clean armor cut because it cuts with a saw blade at the proper angle.
-Hal
. Oh? Just like all the "problems" there have been with using EMT as an EGC? I don't think there have been any problems with either it's just the grounding obsession cultMC, with its separate insulated EGC was developed to be an armored cable that does away with the problems of the connectors and armor being used to provide EGC continuity like AC does.
the guys who used AC and were switched to MC got annoyed with having to deal with another conductor, so some MC was watered down to again use the armor and connectors for the EGC. Why bother? Just use AC to begin with.
Which was originally made by Rome Cable of Rome, N.Y.I think that Southwire now owns the trade name “BX”, just like they own the term “Romex” for NM cable.
What exactly is "sensitive" equipment? There is a lot of talk out there about " sensitive electronics" or things acting wacky if they don't have a "good ground". It's all nonsense.All I can say is if we are connecting sensitive gear, we never just rely on the raceway as a low impedance ground path. Not really from a personnel safety perspective, but equipment.
That's why the bonding strip was added. The spiral sheath acts like a coil without it.The cable was faulted and glowing slightly, breaker never tripped.
I don't disagree that half the industry info is flaky at best. As far as sensitive electros, I work around CNC machines. If you have never been around, picture about 5 super computers, several VFDs, about 20 SMPS, tons of serial encoders, and the list goes on. They are certainly industrial, but usually 6-8 figures new, so.....if a piece of wire can potentially protect it, it gets done.What exactly is "sensitive" equipment? There is a lot of talk out there about " sensitive electronics" or things acting wacky if they don't have a "good ground". It's all nonsense.