BX (AC?) as exterior conduit?

[Peter Wigle]

This didn't look right but I can't find a definitive answer. The house had electricity run to a shed about 40 feet away. It was run via cable which looked like BX - supported through its length by a wooden privacy fence. Is there any type of armoured cable which would be suitable for exterior use, or is it clearly incorrect?

[A.D. Miller]

320.12 Uses Not Permitted.
Type AC cable shall not be used as follows:
(1) Where subject to physical damage
(2) In damp or wet locations
(3) In air voids of masonry block or tile walls where such walls are exposed or subject to excessive moisture or dampness
(4) Where exposed to corrosive fumes or vapors
(5) Embedded in plaster finish on brick or other masonry in damp or wet locations

[ken horak]

Seeing how your in Canada, it may be different as I don't have the Canadian electric code.

According to the NEC if you have AC (bx) it is not allowed in damp or wet locations. So exterior use is out.- NEC article 320.12


If you have MC it CAN be allowed in wet locations if ANY of these conditions are met:
The metallic covering is impervious to moisture OR
A lead sheath or moisture- impervious jacket is provided under the metal covering OR
The insulated conductors under the metallic covering are listed for use in wet locations and a corrosion resistant jacket is provided over the metallic sheath.
The above is NEC article 330.10

They do market a MC cable that is rated for exterior use and direct burial in concrete. It is a PVC coated cable.
Most times in the north east US it is referred to as parking deck cable.


AC and MC cable look alike from the outside. The difference is the makeup of the sheathing. AC is rated for the metallic covering to carry the ground and MC is NOT rated for the metallic covering to carry the ground. AC cable the conductors are wrapped in paper, MC the conductors are wrapped in plastic.
With AC your are required to use an antishort bushing ( redhead) were MC you are not.

[A.D. Miller]

While it is true that the NEC does not require anti-short bushings for MC cable, most manufacturers recommend their use.

http://www.afcweb.com/pdfs/01catalog/01cat-p41-instal-instr.pdf

[A.D. Miller]

http://www.nema.org/stds/eng-bulletins/upload/Bulletin-90.pdf

[ken horak]

true

not required

just recommended

not illegal if not used on mc

[ken horak]

and there again

not required

just recommended

[A.D. Miller]

and there again

not required

just recommended

KH: My contention all along.

[Speedy Petey]

This didn't look right but I can't find a definitive answer. The house had electricity run to a shed about 40 feet away. It was run via cable which looked like BX - supported through its length by a wooden privacy fence. Is there any type of armoured cable which would be suitable for exterior use, or is it clearly incorrect?Could this be Tek cable?

[A.D. Miller]

Could this be Tek cable?

SP: You mean, of course, Teck cable.

Wire and Cable » Teck Cable: Teck 90 and Teck Style Armored Cable (http://www.distributorwire.com/blog/index.php/wire-cable-products/teck-90-armor/)

[Speedy Petey]

SP: You mean, of course, Teck cable.

Wire and Cable » Teck Cable: Teck 90 and Teck Style Armored Cable (http://www.distributorwire.com/blog/index.php/wire-cable-products/teck-90-armor/)Yeah. That's it.

I'm not from Canada but I know that their Teck cable is suitable for direct burial.

[John Kogel]

Peter, if you ever return :) you will see this pic of Teck cable. It has a black jacket, suitable for outdoor and can be direct buried.

[Peter Wigle]

Thanks everyone. The cable being run was plain BX - no vinyl or PVC coating. I just wanted to confirm that there wasn't anything that looked like plain BX that was acceptable. Apparently not. That makes things easy.

Wasn't aware of the Teck and Liquatite products (at leat not by name) so, as usual, learned something new.

[Speedy Petey]

Peter, if you ever return :) you will see this pic of Teck cable. It has a black jacket, suitable for outdoor and can be direct buried.Yup, that's what I was talking about John. I just got the name wrong.
Thanks.