What Is This?

[Minuteman]

A teacher in another class had a student bring this cable in. Anyone know what it is? They demo'ed it from an old school. Articles 330.2 & 330.24(A) talks about smooth M/C, and that was my guess.

 

[Minuteman]

The outer cover is aluminum and there is a black plastic sheath that resembles NM sheath.

 

[kwired]

I have seen that a few times before. I always assumed it was either AC or MC cable.

The ones I recall seeing never had a green conductor, I assume the sheath is acceptable for equipment grounding - with proper fittings of course.

 

[LarryFine]

Are you sure that isn't a lead sheath?

It would be great for wiring a trailer.

 

[Minuteman]

Yep Larry, aluminum.

 

[LarryFine]

Yep Larry, aluminum.

I have seen lead-sheathed cable. The conductors were embedded in a bunch of fine white threads.

 

[Open Neutral]

Lead sheathed telephone cable was very common. It's pressurized, and the pairs paper-insulated....get it wet and you can guess the result.

It's still in wide use but PIC {Plastic Insulated Cable} has been replacing it for decades.

 

[BJ Conner]

IT's ALS

IT's ALS

ALS Aluminum sheathed cable.
It was used like MC cable, you could nail it to the wall or ceiling.
I think you can still buy it. I don't know about fittings.
IT was leagle in places like power plants, warehouses, paper mills etc.

 

[Minuteman]

Thanks B J

I posted this from my classroom computer, guess I should have put it under the Instructor forum.

Anyway, the student/apprentice said that it was used with regular cable clamps like with NM for lighting and in the walls, just like MC. I tried to find something about it in my '08 and the only think that closely matched was the Smooth MC.

Learned something.

 

[BJ Conner]

Als

Als

Thanks B J

I posted this from my classroom computer, guess I should have put it under the Instructor forum.

Anyway, the student/apprentice said that it was used with regular cable clamps like with NM for lighting and in the walls, just like MC. I tried to find something about it in my '08 and the only think that closely matched was the Smooth MC.

Learned something.

The 9 th edition (1970) of the American Electricans Handbook has a couple of paragraphs on it. It must have been difficult to make as the sheath is described as seemless.
It was a lot faster to use for lighting than EMT.

 

[sameguy]

1980 ish, can't recall who made it; but i think it did have connectors like CGB type for making connections.

 

[defears]

My eyes must be going. It looked like SO cord in emt.

 

[Speedskater]

What is the overall diameter?
Is it very flexible?

 

[cripple]

What-Is-This

What-Is-This

I have a 1971 NEC that has an article 331 Aluminum-sheathed Cable Type ALS.
Section 331-1 defines it as a factory-assembled cable consisting of one or more insulated conductors enclosed in an impervious, continuous, closely fitting tube of aluminum. It shall be used with approved fittings for terminating and connecting to boxes outlets and other equipment.
I have used this type of cable in the 70s, I do not know when it was removed from the NEC, it is used in Canada. If you are interested you check the UL Certifications Directory it is listed as ASFV7.GuideInfo Aluminum-sheathed Cable Connectors, Type ALS Certified for Canada.