mc cable on the outside of the house?

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zappy

zappy

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CA.
i don't see anything in the code book saying you can't.it would be for a security light mounted on the outside of the house.thanks.
 
Under 2005 NEC MC can be run in wet locations, not sure if that changed for 2008.

Here it is from 330.10 2002 NEC

330.10(A)(12)In wet locations where any of the following conditions are met:

a.The metallic covering is impervious to moisture.

b.A lead sheath or moisture-impervious jacket is provided under the metal covering.

c.The insulated conductors under the metallic covering are listed for use in wet locations.
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Minuteman said:
Why is it, that there are no listed rain tight MC connectors? Or at least not that my suppliers are aware of. :confused:
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If you enter the bottom of a 3R enclosure it is my opinion you do not need a WP connector.
 
I am not sure the MC cable they are saying as permitted for outdoor use would be the "common" type we generally see in the supplyhouse.
There are 3 types of MC cable.

The type we generally see I do not believe is listed for wet locations unless it has the nonmetallic sheathing.

There is:
"Smooth Sheath Type" - rarely used by the general electrician

"Corrugated Sheath Type" - again rarely used by the general electrician

"Interlocked Type" - this is the type of MC cable used daily by electricians.
I do not believe this Type is permitted for outdoor use without the nonmetallic sheathing such as we see for "parking garage" Type MC.


I think that it takes a little investigation to get to the bottom of this.

*330.116 - read the first sentence.

*(PJAZ) , page-230 of the 2007 UL White Book.

*Manufacturer's websites/product manuals.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
I am not sure the MC cable they are saying as permitted for outdoor use would be the "common" type we generally see in the supplyhouse.
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It is, at least in the 2002 and 2005 NEC.

As long as the conductors inside are listed as 'W' your good to go.

Here it is from the 2002

Notice 'a' and 'b' cover the types of MC you brought up....the 'non standard' verities

Then look at 'c', any MC with wet rated conductors.


330.10(A)(12)In wet locations where any of the following conditions are met:

a.The metallic covering is impervious to moisture.

b.A lead sheath or moisture-impervious jacket is provided under the metal covering.

c.The insulated conductors under the metallic covering are listed for use in wet locations.
Click to expand...


Keep in mind in the 2005 NEC we could also run standard FMC outdoors if the conductors where "W" and we arranged the FMC not to allow water into enclosures.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
I am not sure the MC cable they are saying as permitted for outdoor use would be the "common" type we generally see in the supplyhouse.
There are 3 types of MC cable.

The type we generally see I do not believe is listed for wet locations unless it has the nonmetallic sheathing.

There is:
"Smooth Sheath Type" - rarely used by the general electrician

"Corrugated Sheath Type" - again rarely used by the general electrician

"Interlocked Type" - this is the type of MC cable used daily by electricians.
I do not believe this Type is permitted for outdoor use without the nonmetallic sheathing such as we see for "parking garage" Type MC.


I think that it takes a little investigation to get to the bottom of this.

*330.116 - read the first sentence.

*(PJAZ) , page-230 of the 2007 UL White Book.

*Manufacturer's websites/product manuals.
Click to expand...

Most of the mc i see has wire that is thhn/thwn.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
I am not sure the MC cable they are saying as permitted for outdoor use would be the "common" type we generally see in the supplyhouse.
Click to expand...
I would have to disagree here Pierre. Art 330.10 (11) is pretty clear. If any of the following conditions are met then MC is permitted. It does not say a specific type is permitted.

Edit: Boy I guess I was slow at that response-- 2 others before I could post....
 
Again, I stated I am not 100% sure.
But... The type that is installed on a daily basis is "interlock". I know it has the dual rated THHN/THWN Type conductors. I am going to stick to my stance here just a little longer ;)


I am not saying the responders or myself are incorrect and I will certainly concede to someone who can definitely prove me incorrect with something more than what has been posted so far.

I went to a website and emailed the manufacturer for more info, I hope to have it Monday or Tuesday.
 
iwire said:
Under 2005 NEC MC can be run in wet locations, not sure if that changed for 2008.

Here it is from 330.10 2002 NEC
Click to expand...

It's changed to 330.10(A)(11), and (c) has the additional verbage of: "and a corrsosion-resistant jacket is provided over the metallic sheath ."
 
480sparky said:
It's changed to 330.10(A)(11), and (c) has the additional verbage of: "and a corrsosion-resistant jacket is provided over the metallic sheath ."
Click to expand...


This is what I am referring to...Thanks for posting this 480.
I believe this follows the manufacturers info.





Now to really open a can of worms...you know I just hate doing this.;) :grin:

If the jurisdiction I am in does not refer to the 2008, how do I handle this for installation/inspection purposes???
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
Now to really open a can of worms...you know I just hate doing this.;) :grin:

If the jurisdiction I am in does not refer to the 2008, how do I handle this for installation/inspection purposes???
Click to expand...

You refer to the Code that has been adopted. Or am I missing something (like my brain :grin: )?
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
Now to really open a can of worms...you know I just hate doing this.;) :grin:

If the jurisdiction I am in does not refer to the 2008, how do I handle this for installation/inspection purposes???
Click to expand...

You know darn well what you have to do, you are obligated to enforce only the adopted codes.

Do you see a lot of MC run outside? :)
 
iwire said:
You know darn well what you have to do, you are obligated to enforce only the adopted codes.

Do you see a lot of MC run outside? :)
Click to expand...


For the last several years, we (NYS) have referred to codes that are not current with the NEC cycle. This has provided us with sort of a "looking glass into the future".
What I meant by my question was not in regards to inspections, I know what I need to inspect to.
My question was directed more to the "can I use the wording in the NEC as guidance" .


Your second sentence/? - yes i have seen MC installed outside. I see MC/AC installed outside by people not in the trade.
And
I see MC-with the Nonmetallic sheathing installed outside - usually on commercial jobs. Actually more and more of it as of late, but not tons of it.
 
iwire said:
You know darn well what you have to do, you are obligated to enforce only the adopted codes.

:)
Click to expand...


Actually, I have been able to help contractors use the more current codes - getting written special permission.
Ex:
NYS still was enforcing the 3 story limit in buildings in regards to NM cable. I was able to show the AHJ the newer requirements in the 2005 NEC and they gave the contractors the written special permission to install it in buildings over 3 stories.
 
Thats darn nice, but that is a voluntary choice. :smile:

You can't expect to show up at a job and tell the EC that you decided the 2008 will be used.
 
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