Bx Wire For Attic
Many in the industry may still incorrectly refer to type ac as bx cable.
Bx wire for attic. The installation and construction requirements for type ac armored cable are located in article 320 of the nec. From the attic or basement pull steadily on the fish tape while a helper feeds the cable into the wall opening. Be gentle as you fish the cable through the hole since it is important not to tear the sheathing on the. It s not as flexible as romex nor it should be.
Bx contains one or more individually insulated hot conductors one individually insulated neutral conductor and a ground wire which may or may not be individually insulated. 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. Wire from the attic to a second floor outlet purple. Wire from the attic to the basement near the flue blue.
Bx is sheathed in a flexible metal spiral made either from aluminum or galvanized steel. Bx s metal sheathing runs in a helix like or twisted manner around the wires. It may take some finessing as the tip of the fish tape blade passes through the drilled hole in the wall plate. I ve used this 12 2 mc cable to extend a power outlet into my walk in closet.
From down in the basement the bottom of the floorboards. Since insulation is combustible you must install face plates on all attic junction boxes to prevent contact between bare wires and insulation materials. Add a comment 1 answer active oldest votes. Fish the cable.
The abbreviation bx has stuck to all metal jacketed cables for decades. 5 can you just have electrical wires exposed with all the junctions in junction. Junction box mounting locations there are two options for mounting boxes that are wholly contained within the attic. I wanted to go with mc for extra protection wired through the attic and so far it was able to withstand much of abuse from my side during the installation.
Bx is also known as armor clad or flexible metal conduit cable. Solid cu bx ac al armored cable armorlite cable. Solid cu bx ac aluminum armored cable assortment. But we need to know the type of wire and the type of access to the attic scuttle hole stairs to provide a complete answer.
Wire from the basement to a first floor outlet. You can attach them to the joist s side surface called the face or to the. Understanding these temperature ratings and matching the intent of the building code should be attempted only by a licensed electrician on a case by case basis but the electricians i ve consulted agree that it s safe under normal conditions to bury older bx cable in cellulose insulation in an attic. Southwire 10 2 x 125 ft.
Wire from the attic to the basement using a second floor hvac return green. Ed beal jul 19 17 at 19 08. Edwin greenfield and gus johnson developed basic armored cable in the early 1900s.