The Bx cable is often used in residential and commercial buildings to provide power to various electrical devices and appliances. It is commonly used in applications where the wiring needs to be protected from physical damage, such as in walls, ceilings, and floors. The metal armor of the Bx cable helps to prevent the wire from being damaged by nails, screws, or other objects that may come into contact with it. When it comes to electrical wiring, one of the most commonly used types of cable is the Bx cable. Bx cable, a little bs on bx cables also known as armored cable, is a type of wire that is used to carry electricity from one point to another. It is made up of a series of conductors that are encased in a protective metal armor.
The problem with using the BX cable armor as a ground is probably due to the difficulty of making and maintaining a good electrical connection to the armor at the ends of the cable. An impact can destroy the electrical conductivity if it cracks the strip. One must NOT rely on the conductivity of cable sheath or box clamps for ground continuity. What I do believe in this matter is that UL is acting in good faith. I cannot see what UL would have to gain by declining listing to a simpler cable construction that passes the listing standard.
- However, death awareness may be essential to meaningful living; “though the physicality of death destroys us, the idea of death saves us” (p. 7).
- A reason for quoting the Canadian code was probably merely to point out «Here is an authority not unknown for good safety practices in many technical fields that regulates to the following standard.»
- It is a flexible metallic cable that contains insulated conductors, providing a safe and efficient way to distribute electricity within a building.
- And that old-style AC is being used as a ground by its very nature.
BX vs. NM Câble électrique
MC means “multi-contact.” The term “multi-contact” comes from the fact that the connectors have a bunch of little spring loaded gold plated fingers that ensure good contact. If you are visiting our English version, and want to see definitions of Basic Armored Cable in other languages, please click the language menu on the right bottom. You will see meanings of Basic Armored Cable in many other languages such as Arabic, Danish, Dutch, Hindi, Japan, Korean, Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, etc. While ROMEX® is available in a number of sizes, the insulated wires are all white, black and red.
Applications of BX Cable in Electrical Wiring
Power cables are mainly used for power transmission and distribution purpose. It is an assembly of one or more individually insulated electrical conductors, usually held together with an overall sheath. The assembly is used for transmission and distribution of electrical power.
- The actual gauge for your project will depend upon the length and the operating load to be fed at the far end.
- Their flexible metal armor provides mechanical protection of the electrical conductors while enabling them to bend around corners.
- Energize and test the circuit.Schedule any necessary “final” inspection.
- Independent grounding wires improve the reliability and safety of the grounding system, ensuring the normal grounding of the system even when the armor layer is damaged.
- It resists puncture by nails and screws, and, as I will describe later, is more resistant to being chewed through by rodents and other pests than NM cable and knob and tube.
Is 100-year old armored (BX) cable a safety hazard and should it be replaced?
MC, the modern marvel, usually rocks aluminum or corrugated steel, offering lighter weight and better resistance to the elements. It’s like comparing a knight in clunky armor to a sleek Iron Man suit – both protective, but one’s definitely more adaptable. Rotary cable cutters with adjustable depth are common for cutting BX cable. However, larger cable diameters often require increased cut depth, raising the risk of damaging insulation. Specialized cutters designed for larger cables can remove shielding without excessive depth, ensuring safety.
What does BX mean in psychology?
This metal-clad cable is contrasted with newer non-metallic (NM) cables, such as the popular Romex brand, which has a slick vinyl covering, making it easier to rip and pull through holes in studs. Let’s explore the details of BX cable, learn about its uses, comparisons and the best way to cut it. By understanding the following, we can better utilize this type of cable product and its solutions in electrical engineering. It’s simple to cut, rip, and strip, plus it pulls effortlessly through holes in studs.
In tight spaces, such as under sinks, connect the wiring before mounting the device to ensure proper alignment with the fixed cable length. Specialized cable cutters are essential for safely cutting larger BX cables. These tools allow for increased cut length without increasing cut depth. Many include removable adapters that center smaller cables, ensuring precise cuts and preventing damage to the inner wires. Cutting BX cable requires precision to avoid damaging the insulation on the inner wires, which could lead to short circuits. Newer cables with reduced clearance between the shielding and wires make this process more challenging.
To ground BX electrical cable, the outer metal casing acts as the grounding conductor. Ensure this metal casing is securely connected to metal junction boxes, which will complete the grounding path. Proper grounding enhances safety by reducing the risk of electrical faults and ensures compliance with electrical codes. BX cable is a type of metal-armored electrical cable used in both residential and commercial projects.
The musket also ended the dominance of the armored knights on horseback. Or click the button below, tell us a little about your project and let our environmental consultants help you create a healthier building. This is why I always use BX on my own jobs and recommend it on any project in which I am consulting. See the earlier blog on knob-and-tube common Residential Wiring Errors here. NM cable is flexible, heat & fire resistant, easy to install, and relatively inexpensive.
The metal jacket of BX cable wiring is similar to that of ribbed metal tubing, but it is a metal wire that is wound in a spiral or twisted fashion. Rip or cut the outer metal armor of BX cable with a special BX cutting tool or with another cutting tool like a hacksaw, pliers, or snippers. Wires within the armor may display degradation of their rubber insulation. If you rip back the metal sheathing, you may find that the insulation is still good. Cutting BX cable requires a bit more effort than working with NM cable, but with the right tools, it’s manageable. The most common method of cutting BX cable is using a BX cutting tool, like a Roto-Split.
For those without specialized tools, a hacksaw can also be used, but it comes with a risk of nicking the inner wires, which can compromise the integrity of the cable. One of the biggest advantages of BX cable over NM cable is its durability. The metal sheath offers far better puncture resistance than the vinyl coating on NM cables. While NM cables can be punctured by sharp objects, such as nails or screws, BX’s armor can withstand a lot more damage.
BX Cable is simpler in structure and lower in cost, so it is suitable for residential and temporary power wiring occasions with relatively low safety and durability requirements. BX Cable meets the early UL 4 standard, but it lacks an independent grounding wire and fireproof filling layer, which is suitable for dry indoor environments. BX Cable is prone to rust in humid environments and is more suitable for wiring in dry walls, floors, and ceilings. The outer layer of MC Cable is usually made of lightweight aluminum or galvanized steel to provide better corrosion resistance and mechanical protection. The outer layer of BX Cable is made of spirally wound steel tape, which has a tighter structure but the material itself is prone to rust in a humid environment, reducing its adaptability in complex environments. The flexible metal sheathing is easy to install, about as easy as NM cable.