The Steel Wire Armored (SWA) Cable is undoubtedly the most celebrated metal clad cable. However, it is not the only cable with armoring. It would be wise to seek knowledge on armour cable meaning before settling for a specific one for your intended application. Like conventional electrical wires, cables with armoring serve different purposes. Choosing the wrong armored cable variety often culminates in several adverse consequences, including repeated cable maintenance and replacement. This would be pretty costly in the long run.
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When shopping for an electrical wire armored cable, you need to know certain critical pieces of information. For example, you need to be fully aware of the various classifications of wires with armoring. Acquiring such essential information is pretty challenging, especially for individuals without any power cable expertise. Fortunately, this free post provides five critical pieces of information that will help you avoid such unfortunate scenarios. Take your time and read through it keenly, and ensure that you grasp all the vital pieces of information.
An armored cable is an electrical cable that contains an extra layer of protection that safeguards its inner components from abrasion. Essentially speaking, this cable type is more rigid than conventional electrical cables and serves its purpose optimally. Sadly, most people face disappointment when dealing with this type of cable. Such disappointments often arise when you choose the wrong cable type. Most people assume that a steel armored cable is the only cable with armoring. Any decision based on this assumption is often the wrong one.
There are three distinct classifications of cables with armoring, namely;
a.Steel Wire Armored (SWA) Cable
The steel wire armoured cable is most certainly the most renowned cable with armoring. This cable comprises a highly conductive copper conductor, XLPE or PVC inner sheath, and steel wire armor that makes up its outer sheath. Its steel armoring enables it to withstand any mechanical extremities that may damage the cable. Consequently, this armored electrical cable comes in handy when dealing with mains electric supply applications.
Armored cable manufacturers produce this cable in two distinct forms, namely low-voltage and high-voltage variations. The low voltage variant supports up to 11kV, whereas the high-voltage variant supports up to 33 kV. It would be best if you made a choice based on your intended cable. Considering that this cable is weighty and difficult to bend, it serves you better as a grounding armor cable.
b.Steel Tape Armored (STA) Cable
This armed cable is suitable for wiring applications whose current requirement does not exceed 35kV. The cable’s structure comprises steel tape armoring in its outer sheath. An STA cable is less costly than an SWA cable primarily because it is easy to manufacture.
Nonetheless, it is not wise to focus on the armored cable price over its suitability to your intended application. This cable is ideal if you want to do some wiring in a vermin and termite-infested area. It is also popular in wiring installations related to construction, underground mines, and petrochemical applications.
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Before settling on a specific armored wire, you need to ensure that its minimum bending radius suits your intended application. Regardless of its classification, an armored electrical cable must not bend beneath the minimum bending radius indicated by its manufacturer. This minimum bending radius is often shown on the cable’s outer sheath.
c.Aluminum Armored Cable
The aluminum armored cable is not popular because it is only applicable for single-core wires. Aluminium armoring is ideal for single-core applications primarily because of its non-magnetic properties. Any attempt to use steel armoring in a single-conductor cable will lead to overheating.
An armored cable wire has adequate protection against mechanical risks. So, you can use this type of electrical cable in areas that present a high risk of mechanical damage. These locations include exterior walls, underground, and industrial establishments, to name a few.
The defining feature of any armored cable wiring is its strength and ability to withstand different forms of external extremities. Such extremities often include exposure to UV rays, water, rodent infestations, and various forms of mechanical hazards. Generally, cables with armoring do not require the use of conduits. However, some local codes demand the use of pipes for all underground installations. Consequently, it is best to check your local wiring laws before performing any underground installation.
You need to note that there are different armored cables, each with a specific use. For instance, an armored fire alarm cable is only applicable in alarm wiring applications. Likewise, an armored marine cable is specifically ideal for marine-related applications. To put it simply, you need to make a choice based on your specific wiring needs.
Armor-clad cables provide adequate protection and durability in the absence of conduits. In most cases, people are forced to use conduits in areas prone to external risks such as corrosion and cable abrasion. Thus, it is correct to say that an armored cable is suitable for use in hazard-prone areas.
A standard electrical cable is most likely to incur irreparable damage in areas exposed to moisture. A metal coated wire is suitable for such an environment because it can withstand moisture exposure. Generally, it is advisable to use armor-clad cables in hazardous locations, including beneath stairwells, barns, and basements, to name a few.
These cables can guarantee maximum safety and durability, provided you choose the right type of cable. For high voltage applications, it would be best to go for an XLPE armored cable. It is also essential to remember that wires have varying current-carrying capacities depending on different factors including, their size, number of cores, and length. For example, a 6 mm 3 core armored cable with XLPE insulation can transmit up to volts. The same cannot be said about other variations of armor-glad electrical wires.
4. How to cut Armored Cable?
An armored-type cable has a callous exterior. This feature is highly beneficial, especially when dealing with harsh environments. Unfortunately, an armored cable’s toughness presents a considerable challenge if you attempt to cut it. In most instances, people cut an electrical wire when it turns out to be too long for its intended application. How exactly do you cut armoured cables?
Logically, the first thing you need to do is obtain a reliable cutting tool. With such a contrivance in hand, you can easily cut the cable while holding the apparatus at a steady 90-degree angle. It is prudent to take all the essential safety precautions. An armored electrical cable is tough to cut and may propel the cutting tool towards your eye. Consequently, you must wear protective eye gear when cutting this cable type.
5. How to install Armored Cable?
The first and most crucial stage of installing any cable is choosing the right one. It is best to use a 15 kV armored cable or a 35kV one depending on your voltage needs for construction applications. The installation process is pretty straightforward once you pick out the most appropriate wire.
The most important thing you need to keep in mind when installing a cable armored is its bending radius. You must not bend the wire to a radius lesser than what the manufacturer recommends. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to install armor-glad cables;
First, you need to prepare the junction box where you intend to install the metal sheathed wire.
Secondly, you must ascertain the exact length of armored cable you need to complete your installation successfully
Once you establish the exact length of metal covered wire you need, you have to cut the cable to the appropriate length
Mount an anti-short cylindrical lining at the intersection of the armor-clad cable and the one in the junction box
Attach a connector to the armored cable
Connect the cable to the junction box to complete the wiring process.
MC Cable vs. AC Cable: What Sets Them Apart?
by Vita Chernikhovska
Metal clad cables and armored clad cables are among the most confusing cables on the market. The reason for this is that construction-wise, these cables are more or less similar, and they both feature armor. The main difference between the two types of electrical wiring actually has to do with the grounding rather than the armor. Before focusing on this minor distinction, let's dive into the role that armor has in armored cables.
The armor is made of metal in armored cables, such as steel, copper, or aluminum. The goal of the armor is to provide the cable with physical protection from the environment. It mainly protects the cord from physical damage. Therefore, armored wires are only used in environments where mechanical damage is probable.
When it comes to budget, the main advantage of MC and AC cables over general-purpose cables that have no armor is that you save money on the conduit. Since the armor offers the protection the conduit would have offered, you don't need to spend extra on it.
While there is a degree of misinformation on the topic online, armored cables do not protect the cable from the impact of weather, chemicals, and water. In fact, armored wires are susceptible to corrosion and are not corrosion-resistant by default. If you want to use an armored cable in a wet location, you would need a cable with an additional PVC jacket fitted explicitly for wet locations.
The main difference between the AC wire and the MC wire is that the metal-clad cable has a standard ground wire, whereas the AC cable relies on a jacket in combination with a wire or thin strip to secure the grounding. The metal armor can also act as a part of the earth grounding in combination with the bonding wire. In type MC cables, the armor is not part of the grounding.
Another difference between MC and AC electrical cables is that AC cables are used indoors and are not suitable for wet and damp locations. The reason for this is that AC cables do not come with PVC waterproof jackets. It is a PVC jacket that makes MC electrical cables suitable for outdoor locations. Unlike MC, AC cables are not rated for direct burial. MC cables are rated for direct burial when they have appropriate jacket and insulation.
AC cables were a predominant type of armored cable on the market long before MC were introduced. They appeared in the National Electric Code NEC as early as . Nowadays, however, MC cables are a more versatile and modern alternative.
If you need an armored cable indoors, AC cable has you covered. Otherwise, opt for a metal-clad cable. At Nassau National Cable, you can get all types of AC and MC cables of unprecedented quality at the best prices in the industry.
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Running electric cable from the electric service panel to devices like outlets or switches is at the heart of any electric project. Your choice of electric cable is not only based on the project requirements but on your skill level and experience.
That's why homeowners tend to gravitate to NM, or non-metallic, electrical cable (Romex is a popular brand of NM cable). NM wire is lightweight, easy to handle, and inexpensive. It's simple to cut, rip, and strip, plus it pulls effortlessly through holes in studs.
But occasionally you might open up a wall or ceiling and encounter a type of ribbed metal-clad cable called BX. In some cases, you might elect to use BX cable instead of NM cable.
While widely used in the past, BX cable is not relegated to the past. Even with new projects, you still have the choice of using either metal-armored BX cable or plastic-sheathed NM cable, and there are many good reasons why you might decide to use BX.
What BX Cable and Wire Is
Going under alternative names such as metallic sheathed cable, type AC, MC, Greenfield, or armored cable, BX cable is a collection of plastic-coated insulated wires (typically 14- or 12-gauge), bundled together and protected by a ribbon-like metal sheathing.
At first glance, BX's metal sheathing looks like it is a single ribbed metal tube. It's actually a metal strand that runs in a helix-like or twisted manner around the wires.
BX is contrasted with a newer cable, NM, which stands for "non-metallic." Instead of the metal sheathing, NM has a slick vinyl covering that is easy to rip and pull through holes in studs. Romex is one popular brand of NM electrical cable.
A chief distinction between BX and NM is that BX can achieve grounding through the outer metal casing. This casing needs to be attached to metal boxes.
Another distinction is that some types of BX cable can be installed in exposed locations, either indoors or outdoors. NM cable and wiring must always be installed in an enclosed location (typically within a wall, ceiling, or under a floor). Always be sure to check with your local building and electrical codes as to whether BX cable may be left exposed.
BX Cable Longevity and Replacement
Like any other cable, if the armor is nicked, cut, or shredded, the wires inside can be compromised. BX's armor, while much stronger than NM's vinyl, can still be pierced by a determined and ill-placed nail or screw. However, with the exception of electrical wires that run through rigid metal conduits, no other type of electrical cable has as strong an outer casing as BX cable.
Wires within the armor may display degradation of their rubber insulation. But this may just be at the exposed ends. If you rip back the metal sheathing, you may find that the insulation is still good.
If old BX wiring is in good condition and can carry today's higher power demands, there is usually no reason to replace it. Unlike the older knob-and-tube wires from the early 20th century, the wire sheathing will not turn gummy and degrade over time.
Older BX wiring does not have to be removed unless the wire coating inside the sheathing is in bad condition.
BX Cable vs. NM Electrical Cable
BX Cable NM Cable Ripping BX is difficult to rip back without a special tool. NM is far easier to rip back. This is accomplished with an inexpensive cable ripper. Cost BX cable is more expensive than NM cable. NM cable tends to run about 25 percent cheaper than BX cable as it ships lighter and uses fewer source materials. Handling BX is heavy and difficult to run through studs. Not only is NM cable light, but the slippery coating makes the cable easy to pull through holes in studs. Safety BX is safer than NM since the metal armor protects well against accidental penetrations. NM cable's vinyl sheathing is easily penetrated. Grounding BX cable is grounded via its metal armor or internal green plastic-coated ground wire. Because vinyl is not conductive, grounding is achieved by a separate bare copper ground wire in the bundle. Cutting BX is cut with a hacksaw. Better yet, use a special armored cable cutting tool. NM cable can be cut with a lineman's pliers or even with the cutter on a wire stripper. Code BX is accepted by the National Electrical Code (NEC). Older BX cables without an internal bonding strip are not accepted by NEC. NM cable is also accepted by the NEC.
How to Rip Back BX Cable
There are three methods of ripping, or removing, the outer metal armor of BX cable: with a special BX cutting tool, a hacksaw, or manually with pliers.
Ripping an electrical cable means to sever, pull back, and remove the outer sheathing protecting a set of bundled wires. Ripping is contrasted with wire stripping, To strip a wire means to remove the plastic coating on an individual electric wire.
BX Cutting Tool
If you expect to be doing a lot of cutting, you may wish to invest in a special BX cutter, such as the Roto-Split. This tool costs between $20 and $50 and makes the job of splitting and ripping back BX cable far easier and safer than by hand.
After you insert the cable into the tool's groove, you turn the handle to cause the cutting wheel to cut away the metal sheathing. The tool is calibrated to cut the metal but stops short of touching the inner wires.
Cutting BX by Hand
It is possible to cut and rip the armor without a BX cutting tool. You can cut the outer armor with a hacksaw, assisted with a strong pair of wire snippers or pliers.
With this method, there is the danger of nicking the insulation on the inner wires, not to mention lacerating your fingers on the sharp metal armor.
BX Cable Development and History
BX is one of the earliest types of electrical cable developed for both residential and commercial uses in the early part of the 20th century.
Early forms of BX can still be found by homeowners renovating their homes. It is not certain how the term "BX" came to represent metal-armored cable, but it may have something to do with the product first being produced in the Bronx borough of New York.
Early accounts of BX cable being used date back to . Widespread production and use of BX cable began in the s when BX was promoted as being a modern, safe, fireproof improvement over older cloth-sheathed wiring.
Should You Buy BX Cable or Wire?
As a do-it-yourself residential electrician, you likely will find it easier to handle, rip, and pull NM, or Romex brand, electrical cable. Unless the specifics of the job or the electrical code demand that you use BX cable, your wiring project will go faster with NM, plastic-sheathed wiring.
BX cable is heavy and its surface is corrugated, making it difficult to pull through the holes in studs. BX cable's metal sheathing can be hard to cut without nicking or severing the inner wire. NM cable, too, presents the danger of nicking inner wires. But because the outer sheathing is softer, less force is required to cut it.
In addition, while home improvement stores still do carry BX cable, do-it-yourselfers will find a far greater selection of NM cables at retail outlets.
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Shapiro, David E. Old Electrical Wiring. 2nd ed., Mcgraw-Hill, .
Cable colours have changed over the course of time, which is why it is important to know the old conductor colours for old buildings or older cable installations. Old conductors in power cables up to have a different colour than today, e.g. red was used as the protective earth conductor (PE) back then.
The colours were not standardised before .
The following table provides information on the meaning of the core colours of the "old" and "new" cables, as well as the colours of old NYM cables.
In switch cabinet construction, the colours of cables are subject to the standard DIN EN -1 (VDE -1). However, only green-yellow for the protective conductor and light blue for the neutral conductor are clearly defined in this standard for cable colours in the distribution enclosure. The other cable colours for a switch cabinet are only defined as recommendations in the DIN VDE standard.
Recommended wire colour for an electrical enclosure according to DIN VDE :
The colours of the conductors in Profinet cables of type A, B and C are blue, yellow, white and orange.
Note: There is no difference in the colours of the inner conductors of Profinet cables. However, the cables differ in their flexibility and bending radius, for example.
Standardised colours for the cables are particularly important when wiring a trailer coupling, e.g. for a trailer. Thanks to the standardised cable colours, it is much easier to wire a 7-pin connector for a trailer in order to loop through the vehicle's brake signal as well as the indicator signal.
Number Cable designation Cable colour Pinning of the contacts 1 L (indicator left) Yellow Indicator left 2 54G (rear fog light) Blue Tail fog lights 3 31 (negative line) White Ground 4 R (indicator right) Green Indicator right 5 58R (light switch terminal, left) Brown Tail light right 6 54 (brake light) Red Brake lights 7 58L (light switch terminal, right) Black Tail light leftIn addition to the 7-pin connectors commonly used in the automotive sector, there are also connectors for trailers that require a 13-pin connector with numbered contacts, to which the cable colours can be easily assigned.
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