Armored Cable

[Unregistered]

What is the difference between AC and ACT armored cable?

Thanks in advance
Lou

[mdshunk]

I have a feeling that you might be reading from a very old book. Type AC cable is armored cable (sometimes called BX; for Type B, experimental). Type ACT is type AC cable with thermoplastic insulated conductors (conductors with type T, TW, or THHN insulation). The modern type AC (aka BX) that we buy today is really type ACT, and has been for many, many decades.

In truth, type AC cable has pretty much given way to the far superior type MC cable. MC cable is pretty much identical in outward appearance to type AC. However, type MC cable has an installed grounding conductor, instead of relying on the thin bond strip the type AC uses. Also, type MC cable normally has an aluminium spiral armour, as opposed to the steel on type AC. The aluminium armour makes the product much easier to use.

[Unregistered]

Thanks, that's what I needed to know.

Lou