Type AC Armor Clad Cables

Type AC Cables – Uses Permitted:

The uses permitted for AC cable are governed by NEC Article 320 and any applicable local codes. Please refer to NEC Article 320 and your local authority having jurisdiction for additional information.

• Where not subject to physical damage for branch circuits and feeders in both exposed and concealed work and in cable trays where identified for such use
• In dry locations and embedded in plaster finish on brick or other masonry, except in damp or wet locations
• Run or fished in the air voids of masonry block or tile walls where the walls are not exposed or subject to excessive moisture or dampness
• Under raised floors, above suspended ceilings and in other environmental air handling spaces per NEC 300.22(C)

Type AC Cables – Uses Not Permitted:

• In theaters and similar locations, except as provided in NEC Article 518, Places of Assembly
• In motion picture studios
• In locations classified as hazardous
• Where exposed to corrosive fumes or vapors
• On cranes or hoists
• In storage battery rooms
• In hoist ways or on elevators, except as provided in NEC Section 620.21
• In commercial garages where prohibited in 511.4 and 511.7

Kaf-Tech manufactures two varieties of armored (Type AC) cables, standard AC cable and HCF, Health Care Facilities Cable, both featuring the Color-Trak ID System.

AC Cable: Type AC cable consists of 2 to 4 copper conductors in sizes 14 gauge to 1 AWG inside an interlocked metal armor of steel or aluminum construction.

A 16 AWG aluminum bonding wire is inside of, and in physical contact with, the metal armor providing a low-impedance fault-return path required for the operation of over-current protection devices. The bonding wire is unique to Type AC cable and allows the outer metal armor in conjunction with the bonding wire to be used as the equipment ground.

It is important to note that the bare bond wire is not an equipment-grounding conductor. It is the bond wire that, in combination with the interlocked metal armor, provides a low impedance equipment-grounding path. Kaf-Tech color codes its standard AC cable black for easy identification.

HCF Health Care Facilities Cable: HCF is constructed in the same manner as standard AC cable with the addition of a green grounding conductor. This additional ground allows HCF to be used in patient care areas of health care facilities (other than hazardous locations or emergency circuits in a health care setting) including hospitals, nursing homes, dental offices and medical centers per NEC 517.13. The bond wire/armor combination provides the cable’s equipment ground while the insulated green grounding conductor provides a redundant ground. Kaf-Tech color-codes its HCF cable green for easy identification.