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#100273 11/08/06 07:13 AM
Joined: Jun 2004
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Well, there is a new MC product on the market from Southwire which uses an aluminum bonding wire in contact with the outer sheath for grounding.

Just snip the bond at the end of the sheath where the wires emerge and slip the connector on and connect to box. Also can be used with box clamps.

Here is a link to Southwire...
http://www.southwire.com/processGetArticle.do?commonId=c3ad73cd00d7c010VgnVCM1000002702a8c0____

Anybody used this product yet?

Comments?

shortcircuit

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Joined: Jan 2003
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Is it actually on sale yet?

I have not seen anything but pictures of it yet.

I doubt I will be using it as most all our jobs require a copper EGC.

While we often run MC in place of EMT with the engineers approval I will be very surprised if we get the engineer to remove the copper EGC specification.

Bob


Bob Badger
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Massachusetts
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iwire, illustrations on that site imply it's availible with a green wire in addition to the Al ground.

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That would be $$$hospital$$$grade$$$MC$$$ for redundant grounding.

Did I mention? $$$$$

Bob


Bob Badger
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Ron Offline
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How is the new product different than AC cable? Sounds the same.

Edit, I just saw the chart in the link showing the differences.

[This message has been edited by Ron (edited 11-08-2006).]


Ron
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The new stuff differs mainly in that the ground wire is aluminum, full size (for the ampacity), and separate from the jacket.

My own suspicion is that this is a product that is intended to replace both AC and MC. Don't be surprised if, in a few code cycles, the sections on AC and MC get combined, and the "normal" products are no longer made.

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From what I've been told by an AFC (Southwire competitor) engineer, AC and MC cables are treated differently when it comes to listing.
AC cable has to meet pre-established specifications, and MC is subject only to performance testing.

AC & MC were under the same NEC Article (334) up until '78

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e57 Offline
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While back a supply rep had some at the supply house - that was several months ago... From what I understand, they were still seeking approval for connectors for it to be approved as a ground path. Did they sort that out yet?


Mark Heller
"Well - I oughta....." -Jackie Gleason
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I guess I'm not a big fan of the idea because I've seen what can happen to other mechanical grounds on RMC, EMT, etc. I still always run a ground wire and bond (pigtail) to my metal boxes. Gounding is a safety issue, and I hate to think of what can happen as a result of loose or improperly installed connector. I've seen a lot of "solutions" and "time-saving" devices that have tried to circumvent a wired-in ground, but I trust none of them. IT's not worth the extra minute or two it might save. IMHO.

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Bob:
I saw a few samples of this a while back...
Talked to a few guys on different sites that had the sample dropped off.

NO ONE seemed to have any interest. The #10 AL appeared to be a candidate for PITA award.

I do not see any advantage, nor did anyone else. And as above...what about the connectors??

John


John
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