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What is BX conduit?

Can I run BX in conduit?

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.Nov 10, 2021

What is the difference between BX and MC cable?

BX cable is actually a branded name for AC or armored cable. The same way we refer to any medical adhesive strip as Band-Aids, BX cable is simply the name a company chose for their armored cable and it just stuck. MC cable is easier to remember because it's an abbreviation for “metal clad” or “metallic-sheathed cable.”

What's better BX or Romex?

Romex cables are light and have a slippery coating that easily pulls through holes. BX cables are safer and protect against any accidental penetrations. Romex cables have vinyl sheathing that you can penetrate easily.Jan 18, 2022

How far can you run BX cable?

You can easily find spools of BX cable up to 1,000 feet long. The actual gauge for your project will depend upon the length and the operating load to be fed at the far end.

Is BX wire copper or aluminum?

Copper/Aluminum BX Cable Scrap is made up of plastic insulated copper wire that is coated with aluminum casing.

Why is it called BX cable?

Armored cable (AC) first appears in the 1903 NEC. There were originally two initial versions of armored cable. One was called “AX” and the other “BX,” with the “X” standing for “experimental.” The “BX” version became the one that eventually was produced, and hence the name “BX” became the common name.Mar 26, 2013

What is a BX connector?

BX Connector. Use: BX connectors are used to terminate steel Armored. Cable to a 1/2" knock-out in a dry. location box or enclosure.

Can you run MC cable exposed?

Section 330.15 states: Exposed runs of cable, except as provided in 300.11(A), shall closely follow the surface of the building finish or running boards. Exposed runs shall also be permitted to be installed on the underside of joists where supported at each joist and located so as not to be subject to physical damage.Aug 7, 2019

Why is MC cheaper than Romex?

When it comes to pure MC cable versus Romex cost, Romex is about 25% cheaper than MC cable due to the fewer source materials and lower shipping costs. In terms of installation, Romex can cost more than MC cable if a protective conduit is required.

image-What is BX conduit?
image-What is BX conduit?
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Does Romex need to be covered?

Whenever you are using Romex, it is important that you remember to cover it up. NEC and electricians across the US make a point of making sure the wire is being used inside a wall, ceiling, floor, or running through a conduit.Mar 16, 2021

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What does BX stand for in BX cable?

  • Type MC Manufacturer New Member. Per Jim Dollins, VP of Product Development for AFC Cable Systems, the term "BX" stands for "Product "B" - Experimental.". Apparently, back when the product was first developed, the first manufacturer of this product had only one product at the time: "Product "A"".

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What is BX electrical wiring?

  • BX cable. noun Electricity. a cable consisting of wires contained in a flexible metal tubing, used chiefly in wiring buildings and in supplying electric power to equipment.

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What is a bx connector?

  • The BX connector is one of our featured conduit fittings. It is to be installed on the ends of a BX cable for attaching the cable conduit to an electrical junction box. The armored cable connector is available in a wide variety of trade sizes and ensures durable quality and a long lasting performance.

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What is the difference between Conduit and BX wiring?What is the difference between Conduit and BX wiring?

At first glance, an electrical conduit may seem similar to BX wiring (sometimes also referred to as AC wiring for "armored cable" or MC for "metal cable"). Like conduit, loose but insulated individual wires are encased in BX's metal shell. Also like a conduit, BX wiring can be used in exposed locations.

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What is BX cable?What is BX cable?

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. BX's metal sheathing runs in a helix-like or twisted manner around the wires .

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Does BX wiring go up or down?Does BX wiring go up or down?

All of the existing wiring in the space goes UP from the box to the ceiling, then over to wherever and down, and all of that is BX (flexible metal sheathed) wiring. I was wondering when/if conduit is required instead of BX.

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How do you ground a BX cable?How do you ground a BX cable?

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. BX is cut with a hacksaw. Better yet, use a special armored cable cutting tool.

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