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Armored Cable
Armored cable (Type AC) is a fabricated assembly of insulated conductors in a flexible interlocked metal
armor [320.2]. This product is commonly referred to as BX in the field (click here to see Fig. 1).
The conductors and an internal aluminum bonding strip are contained within a flexible metal sheath that
interlocks at the edges. This gives the cable an outside appearance similar to that of flexible metal conduit
(FMC). However, FMC is a type of raceway; armored cable is classified as a type of cable. Article 320 provides
the installation requirements for Type AC cable.
The advantages of any flexible cables, as compared to raceway wiring methods, are:
Theres no limit to the number of bends between terminations.
Installation is quick.
These advantages make armored cable very useful. However, as with any wiring method, there are some
locations where it cant be used. It must not be installed [320.12]:
If subject to physical damage.
In damp or wet locations.
In air voids of masonry block or tile walls where such walls are exposed or subject to excessive moisture.
Where exposed to corrosive conditions.
Previous NEC editions used the word enclosure to describe armored cable jackets, but the Art. 100 definition
says an enclosure is a case or housing of an apparatus, or fence or wall surrounding an installation. Obviously,
no jacket of any cable is an enclosure. Therefore, the 2011 revision dropped this misuse now referring to a
flexible interlocked metal armor.
A new restriction appears in the 2011 NEC: You cant use Type AC where exposed to corrosive fumes and vapors.
Why was this added? Such exposure was already a violation of 300.6. The problem is that the restriction didnt
appear in Art. 320.
A general rule regarding this type of protection is in 300.6. With the 2011 revision, this requirement is included
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Service-Entrance Cables
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Service-entrance cable (Types SE and USE) is a single conductor or multiconductor assembly used primarily for
services not over 600V. You can also use it for feeders and branch circuits when you observe the limitations of
Art. 338.
As you might have guessed, SE stands for Service Entrance. This cable has a flame-retardant, moistureresistant covering. You might also have guessed that USE cable is SE cable identified for underground use. It has
a moisture-resistant covering. This listing doesnt require it to have a flame-retardant covering, although USE
may be offered with that feature. A flame-retardant covering is a requirement for indoor use.
The 2011 revision to the NEC brought changes to 338.10, which is titled Uses Permitted. The first change is to
the title of a subsection, 338.10(B)(2), which now reads Use of Uninsulated Conductor. Previously, it read
Grounded Conductor Not Insulated. Why the change?
When an installer uses an SE cable as a feeder or branch circuit, the uninsulated conductor is allowed to be used
only as an equipment grounding conductor. The change to the title of this section reflects that fact. The
exception allowing the uninsulated conductor to be used as the neutral in pre-existing installations has also been
revised to clarify that this practice is allowed only in certain existing applications.
The 2011 revision drops the ampacity adjustment formerly required in 338.10(B)(4), which, in effect, required
SE cables used for indoor wiring to comply with Part II of Art. 334, including the ampacity requirements of
334.80. Because there was no real technical substantiation for the ampacity limits thus imposed, this
requirement probably shouldnt have been there in the first place. No fires or incidents were reported to warrant
this change, yet it still became a requirement in the 2008 Code. In the 2011 NEC, 338.10(B)(4) still requires the
use of the installation methods of Part II of Art. 334 with the exception of 334.80 (click here to see Fig. 3).
A new paragraph in 338.10(B)(4)(a) requires that SE cable installed in thermal insulation have its ampacity
determined per the 60C column of 310.15(B)(16). The column that corresponds to the actual maximum
conductor temperature rating can be used for ampacity adjustment and correction if the final derated ampacity
does not exceed that for a 60C rated conductor.
A new Informational Note in 338.10(B)(4)(a) alerts Code users to Table 310.15(B)(7) for SE cables used as a
main power feeder. This is a common application in residential installations.
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specialized MC cables are available for purposes as diverse as underground installations, patient care locations,
and hazardous classified locations.
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