Types of Cables
Mineral-Insulated, Metal-Sheathed Cable: Type MI
- A factory assembly of one or more conductors insulated with a highly compressed refractory mineral insulation and enclosed in a liquid-tight and gas-tight continuous copper or alloy steel sheath. - Can be used in a dry or wet location, indoor or outdoors and in hazardous areas.
Service-Entrance Cable: Type SE, USE
- A single conductor or multiconductor assembly provided with or without an overall covering, primarily used for services. - Type SE has a flame-retardant and moisture-resistant covering. - Type USE is for underground use and has a moisture-resistant covering but not required to have a flame-retardant covering.
Flat Cable: FCC
- Also known as under-carpet cable. - Flat cable assemblies consist of 2, 3, 4, or 5 parallel conductors of 10 AWG special stranded copper wires.
Metal-Clad Cable: Type MC
- Another type of flexible armored cable (BX cable) - With additional PVC jacket is suitable for wet locations.
Armored Cable: Type AC
- Commonly referred to as flexible armored cable. - Trade name is BX cable. - It is manufactured in two, three, and four wire assemblies with insulated wires wrapped with a spiral-wound interlocking metal jacket. - Type AC is restricted to dry locations.
Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable - Type NMC
- Corrosion and fungus resistant cable that is intended to be used where exposed to fumes, vapors, and liquids such as ammonia and barnyard acids in dairy barns and similar farm buildings.
Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable - Type NMS
- Hybrid cable consisting of power, communications, and signaling conductors under on jacket.
Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable - Type NM
- Nonmetallic-sheathed cable that is intended to be used where protected from physical damage.
Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable
- Trade name is Romex. - Outer jacket is typically made of rubber or plastic. - The jacket is flame retardant and moisture resistant for all 3 types. - Restricted to residential or other small structures.
Underground Feeder and Branch-Circuit Cable: Type UF
A factory assembly of one or more insulated conductors with an integral or an overall covering of nonmetallic material suitable for direct burial in the earth.
