WORK SHEET

FLEXIBLE ARMORED CABLE

Flexible Armored Cable (type AC) is a fabricated assembly
of insulated conductors walled in flexible metal sheath. It is
commonly known as BX. It consists of spiraled metal sheet
forming flexible steel tube through which the rubber covered
wires are enclosed. The armor protects the wires from injury and
moisture.

Type of Flexible Armored Cable

1. Types AC- The conductors inside are insulated with rubber
insulation.
2. Type ACT- The conductors inside are insulated with
thermoplastic insulation.
3. Type ACL- It has a rubber and lead sheath between the
conductor and the armor.
4. Type ACV- It has a varnish cambric insulation.The varnish
cambric is a closely woven fabric of cotton or linen with
insulating varnish.

Usages of Flexible Armored Cable

◦◦ Type AC and ACT
• Used for both exposed and concealed work in dry
locations.
• Can be embedded in plastic finish on brick or other
masonry work except in damp and wet locations.

Type ACV
• Used only for exposed work in dry locations in buildings.
Used for industrial or commercial purposes.
• Shall not be smaller than 5.19mm.

Type ACL
• Can be used when exposed to weather or continuous
moisture.
• For underground runs and embedded in masonry, concrete
or buried in building during constructions.
• Exposed to oil, gasoline or other conditions will have
deteriorating effect on the insulation.

Flexible Armored Cable must not be used in

• Theaters
• Motion picture studios
• Hazardous locations
• Exposure to corrosive fumes and vapors
• Storage battery rooms
• Cranes and hoist
• Hoistways or elevators

Supports
Flexible Armored Cable must be secured by approved
clamps, straps or similar fittings so designed and mounted so as
to destroy cable. The cable shall be secured at the wired surface
approximately every 1 meter interval and within 30mm away from
outlet box or fittings.

Exposed Work
Expose runs of cables must follow closely the surface of the
building finisher of running board except:
lengths of not more than 60 cm where flexibility is desired;
on the undesirable floor joist in basements which is
supported at each floor joist and so located as not to be
subjected to mechanical injury;
in accessible attics and roof spaces, cables shall be
installed as follows:
• where run across the top floor joist of within
approximately 2 meters of floor joist across the face
of rafters, the cable shall be protected by guard strips
which are at least as high as the cable. When this
space is not accessible by permanent ladders or stairs,
protection can be required within 2 meters from the attic
entrance.
• where cable is insulated along the sides of rafters,
studs, or floor joist guard strips or running boards are
not needed.
Protection of Cable Ends
At all points, where the cable terminates, a fitting should be provided to protect
the wires from abrasion, unless the design of the outlet box can afford the
equivalent protection to the wires.
An approved insulating bushing should be installed between the
conductors and the armor.
Electrical Continuity of Metal Enclosure
The metal enclosure consists of the cable armor and any outlet boxes or other box
fitting, or cabinets used as electrical continuity which shall be ensured by setting
up tightly all connectors, clamps, and locknuts.
Grounding
The cable armor and all other parts and enclosure will be effectively grounded if
electrical continuity is ensured through the wiring system.
Cutting
In cutting a flexible armored cable, the appropriate tools to
be used is hacksaw.

Bends

In making bends, precautions must be made in order not to injure the armor of the
cable. The diameter of any bends should not be less than 5 times the diameter of
the cable.

Boxes at Outlets and Free Lengths of Conductor

A box shall be installed at each outlet, switch, or junction points of the armored
cable. At least 150mm of free conductor shall be left at each outlet and switch
points for making up of joints or connections of fixtures or devices, except where
conductors are intended to be looped without joints.

General Requirements for Wiring Methods

Protection against corrosion and mechanical injury in metal raceways, armored

cable, boxes, cabinets, metallic elbows, coupling, and fitting, unless made of
corrosion resistant material inside and outside shall be coated with zinc, cadinium
and enamel. Except that ferrous raceways fittings and boxes protected solely with
enamel may be used only for indoors and occupancies not subject to severe
corrosion influences. The following are subject to corrosive conditions:
◦ Meat packing plants
◦ Tanneries
◦ Hide cellars, glue houses
◦ Salt storage
◦ Metal refineries
◦ Pulp mills
◦ Sugar mills
◦ Casing rooms and stables