really old BX

[iaov]

I live in the Chicago area where we normally do residential in EMT with THHN wire. I helped my dad (retired electrician) pipe and wire his home in 1977 with THHN. I recently did some work at his home. When opening junction boxes I noticed the THHN looked like I just pulled it yesterday. It's my opinion that in 100 years from the installation date it will be just fine.

I had some junction boxes apart last week with Romex and wire nuts that had been installed back in the seventies. Same thing. Looked like they had been installed yesterday.:smile:

 

[tmbrk]

Yeah THHN is some pretty great stuff. I compare it with the TW wire that they used back in the seventies which is already showing age.( With that fat insulation that makes a #14 look like a #12 at first glance)

 

[electricalperson]

the BX was in excellent shape. i was surprised when i removed the sheath since it looked not as old as it was. the insulation was rubber with cloth over it inside of a cloth sheath covered in wax, and the metal sheath was incredibly tough. the 14/2 cable almost couldnt fit inside my roto strippers and i needed to use a half inch mc connector instead of a normal 3/8

 

[charlie]

. . . the TW wire that they used back in the seventies which is already showing age.

The old TW insulation is fine if it hasn't been exposed to heat. It is only rated for 60?C. Most of the stuff you are using now is rated for 90?C.

. . . and i needed to use a half inch mc connector instead of a normal 3/8

You need to be using AC connectors instead of MC connectors and don't forget the insulators (redheads).

 

[electricalperson]

The old TW insulation is fine if it hasn't been exposed to heat. It is only rated for 60?C. Most of the stuff you are using now is rated for 90?C.


You need to be using AC connectors instead of MC connectors and don't forget the insulators (redheads).

this is the connector i used. it can be used for greenfield, ac or mc

i always use redheads on mc,ac and greenfield no matter what