Multi Level Wiring Method

Status
Not open for further replies.
E

Electricalhelp

Senior Member
Location
NJ
Question I got from the landlord in NYC.
The Electrician has run some BX (aka AC) cable (2 wire, no ground) intending to use armor cabling as the ground. (Old school) We are very used to MC cabling with a separate ground wire. He claims that the BX is approved for residential NYC applications.

I found TABLE E3801.4 (Chapter 3 and 300.2) ALLOWABLE APPLICATIONS FOR WIRING METHODS in 2020 RESIDENTIAL CODE OF NEW YORK STATE.

However, I am unable to locate the section that outlines the approved wiring method for a multi-level residential building with more than 5 floors.
 
AC cable without the extra EGC Wire (MC type) is allowed for grounding purposes with proper connectors. 320.108
NYS Local code is a list of exclusions or exceptions or additions to the 2008 NEC and won't find a reference to the AC cable as there is no amendments to 320.
 
Fred B said:
AC cable without the extra EGC Wire (MC type) is allowed for grounding purposes with proper connectors. 320.108
NYS Local code is a list of exclusions or exceptions or additions to the 2008 NEC and won't find a reference to the AC cable as there is no amendments to 320.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the explanation, I was having a hard time finding AC Cabling on the PDF.

When doing some research online, I kept seeing there is a limitation on what type of cabling (AC vs MC) you can use on a high rise building. Is that true?
 
AC cable is strange. IT is common in some areas but non-existent to the point that most people even dont know what it is in others. I have asked about it in several supply houses and they dont even know what it is, and you get responses like "they dont make BX anymore". I have always questioned how/why MC cable took over, seems to me AC is a superior system.
 
Electricalhelp said:
When doing some research online, I kept seeing there is a limitation on what type of cabling (AC vs MC) you can use on a high rise building. Is that true?
Click to expand...
No limitation that I know of other than a design choice of one over the other. They're basically interchangeable with the old AC being like newer MC-ap. As EF stated and IMO steel AC is superior to MC-ap cable. MC has an insulated EGC which makes people warm and fuzzy. MC has a 6' support interval while AC is 4.5'.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top