NEC with SWA Cables

[chandra]

Hi friends,

Could anybody clarify this matter?

If an electrical installation is designed as per NEC code and if Steel Wire/Tape armoured cables are used does it satisfy the NEC grounding requirements? What is the relevant code section? Do these steel wire or tape armoured cables offer high resistances than metal clad or other cables normally used in North America for ground fault currents?

Thanks in advance!
Chandra

 

[ron]

Re: NEC with SWA Cables

Could you reply with a link to a manufacturers web site for Steel Wire/Tape armoured cables ? I've never heard of them.

 

[chandra]

Re: NEC with SWA Cables

Hi Ron,

In the IEC world we use such type of cables manufactured as per IEC 60502. Voltage designation ( U/U0 (Umax) )of IEC cables are completely different from IEEE/ UL (eg. 15, 35 kv )and is done as per IEC 60283. Some links are pirelli.com, aeicables.co.uk. They are from UK. Also abb.com is from Germany. But it may be difficult to get full details such as armour resistance etc which are available with their hard copy catalogues.

Regards!
Chandra

 

[ron]

Re: NEC with SWA Cables

The NEC has very specific requirements regarding types of raceway and/or cable that are permissable for use as ground. Since Steel Wire/Tape armoured cables are not designated by the NEC as usable for grounding, it would not be acceptable. There is no provision regarding grounding for an engineering calculation to override the specific mentions of grounding products.