Can MC Cable be Run Unsupported Behind Walls by 2020 NEC?

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[@PacRimElectric]

Hi Bill thanks for the information

[@SparkyChannel]

My pleasure, thanks!

[@-007-2]

Electrical Scotty Kilmer?

[@SparkyChannel]

LOL!

[@8Jallin]

Rev up my drill !!!

[@MoneyManHolmes]

A similar voice, but the content here is actually useful and not click bait!

[@juan2049]

Omg I laughed so hard at this comment

[@608_rich]

I like these code snippets....keep up the good videos.

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Richard, will do!

[@teardowndan5364]

The primary purpose of supports in walls is so cables don't flop around and get nailed/screwed/stapled into during dry-wall installation, so it makes sense that they are only required in open walls..

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks!

[@vince6829]

Very helpful. Thank you! Maybe one of these days you can produce a video on the similarities and differences between AC, MC, BX, and FMC.

[@nicklucignano3515]

Very helpful video Bill. I always appreciate the great content your KZbin channel puts out. Thank you!

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks so much Nick!

[@Jeff-Lawrence]

Hi Bill from Sparky Channel Love the name of your channel and even more loving the series you started about can you do this according to code I’m a HVAC guy but learning things from the electrical code is so beneficial Hope you keep this series going You got me hooked Keep up the great work

[@SparkyChannel]

Hi Jeff! Thanks so much, will do!

[@trafficsignal101]

Thanks, I have done it many times! Glad my boss was right. One good thing working for a master electrician.

[@mleindek]

I'm rewiring my 1925 home with MC, which has original BX that degrades by even looking at it (plus no ground cable, grounding through the jacket). Ah, fun times getting that out of plaster walls!

[@SparkyChannel]

I've been there and done that with plaster. Best wishes!

[@nswsparky]

what does "point of support" mean for NM does it mean a staple or does it mean a flat board so if it is laying across the top plate then goes though the hole in the top plate does that mean a point of support? I would think if it means staple it would say point of attachment. like when we run wires across trusses at least I don't staple them every other rafter but the rafter is counted as supporting the wire with gravity.

[@thomask4836]

Hmmmmm, you have inspired me. Inpracticable is going to be my new brand-name for a cable. Impracti Cable!

[@SparkyChannel]

LOL! Good one!

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

I ran MC 12-2 up a fireplace ash trap from the basement to the back of the fireplace for an outlet to serve a sealed natural gas insert. Of course I was unable to install any supports in the shaftway, but I did install 3/8" metal straps at the top and bottom of the run.

[@KitchenerLeslie2]

If you leave your address we could mail you cookies.

[@wesholmes9012]

This might be a life-saver for me. My wife would not appreciate the number of holes I'd need to open up in our drywall to support a cable from the attic.

[@SparkyChannel]

Excellent!

[@Bryankrall8090]

Thank you Sir, good information. I recently learned that your original channel was hacked, when watching electrician U. I’m sorry for this. I have been to the Hoover damn before you got a pretty amazing view.

[@SparkyChannel]

Yes, the original channel was hacked and destroyed in Jan 2020. This is a new channel but it's doing really well. Thanks!

[@alant5757]

The only time I used any MC cable in my house was when I needed to run power to the fireplace... prior to having a Gas Fireplace insert installed. And had to use a very long Masonary bit too... haha. There is a time and a place for MC

[@SparkyChannel]

Excellent!

[@ericanderson8606]

video is thorough and pertains to most practical applications of MC and NM. thanks!

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Eric!

[@josephdestaubin7426]

330.30(D)(3) is problematic; the lack of a comma after the first clause may indicate that with semi mobile connected equipment one is allowed to hang an unspecified length.

[@NCF8710]

One big advantage to MC cable is that it is impervious to attack and damage by rodents.

[@SparkyChannel]

Yes! People don't think about that but it's true!

[@corygillyard1455]

MC/Bx good cable and provides a ground path via the metal sheath(jacket) if properly connected from electrical outlet, junction box back to the electrical panel.

[@SparkyChannel]

Correct, thanks!

[@corygillyard1455]

@@SparkyChannel thanks! I live in an old house build in 1930s and the entire house is wired with BX. Some circuits with the cloth and rubber insulated wires to the modern plastic insulated wires with an aluminum bond wire. I remember my grandfather do some electrical work and used to wrap that bond wire to the BX sheath.

[@josemancia3689]

Well …I worked today on a MC cable wasn’t funny it’s to hard and you need more time than Romex …perfect for Machine rooms and heat areas but you need install carefully

[@billdotpilot]

Sparky, enjoy all the great videos. I searched for a Sparky video on using MC cable and MC fittings. Only one I found was NEC code about dropping down wall cavities. Any chance MC cable video sometime. Thanks Bill, Grapevine TX

[@garbo8962]

Has been legal to fish AC MC for at least last 80 years. Would only worry if fishing heavy MC cable unsupprtec from a high ceiling.Pulled out 2/3 cable that was fished over 25' down a wall. They tied rope on it at center point to help support it.

[@bwj999]

So to be clear, in nonaccessible remodel, either cable may be fished without problem? In those cases stapling the cable is "impracticable" :

[@ozzstars_cars]

Thanks Sparky! Thumbs up bud. 👍

[@farmerdave7965]

I fished a lot of it inside of metal stud walls when I was an apprentice.

[@SparkyChannel]

There you go! Thanks Dave!

[@JMjayesim]

Nice video! Impractical and impracticable- I think it does mean the same, just different connotations. Impracticable meaning unworkable, and the other word is not logical. Edit: So like the NM cable being impracticable makes sense do to the nature of being somewhat unprotected like you said. And MC cable is a matter of deciding if it is necessary to support.

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Jeff! I'll tell you one thing for sure: it's hard for me to pronounce "impracticable". LOL!

[@aptpupil]

Practicable means it has the ability to be done. Practical means it can be done, but it would be onerous.

[@BlackwoodPro33]

Great video Bill! Can the MC cable be used in an interior wall cavity (plaster lath) to feed a light switch in front of a brick chimney? Thanks

[@hippo-potamus]

Yes mate video was very helpful. Thanks so much for sharing the knowledge. -Cheers

[@maestrovso]

I take the quiz. Since the unsupported distance is less than 6 feet it is legal.

[@SparkyChannel]

Good job!

[@gannong1]

Thanks for these informative videos...

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Robert!

[@tommycho9068]

Thank you for your educated to me every each video. Many thank you.

[@SparkyChannel]

My pleasure, thanks Tommy!

[@joshuamorrill4748]

Yes it is

[@SparkyChannel]

Correct!

[@delfcenteno]

Thx Bill, these are so not impracticalable-able 😅

[@SparkyChannel]

LOL! OK.

[@tedmcdonald3377]

Thanks Bill, very informative video👏👏👏quick question, i don't see any caveats about the gauge and number of conductors in the cable, are there any limitations???

[@SparkyChannel]

Not that I know of. It just says "MC cable".

[@tedmcdonald3377]

@@SparkyChannel how about NM cable?

[@kenbrown2808]

MC cable is sold as a complete cable assembly. so gauge and number of conductors isn't applicable. as far as routing the cable - other than wanting to avoid bundling multiple cables, especially in sprayfoam insulation.

[@tedmcdonald3377]

@@kenbrown2808 I need to clarify my question. I've seen "Florida" non-metallic cable unsecured behind walls serving 40-50 amp range receptacles. I personally don't think it's safe, but was wondering if it was up to the "old" code, and what about the 2020 code. Thanks😊

[@kenbrown2808]

@@tedmcdonald3377 it's not optimal, but the code recognizes that sometimes you can't get to a cable to secure it. if I was dropping one from attic to basement in a three story balloon framed house, I'd start thinking how I could get some midpoint support, but they're trying to balance between optimum securement and recognizing that tearing up a house to add a plug is poor form.

[@ThatFreelance]

Hey, what strap size or type of strap is used for Reduced Wall Flexible Conduit, 3/4? The only strap I found for FMC is 3/8 which is too small.

[@alsentman9390]

Yes, legal.

[@andrewnewton8404]

Thank you

[@calebmorand4604]

Very good video. What kind of box should I use in this situation to connect to MC rather than NM-B?

[@normILL]

Metal single gang boxes with battleships work like plastic remodel boxes.

[@SparkyChannel]

@@normILL Battleships?

[@jlbreak]

@@SparkyChannel He means old work metallic box supports. rexel-cdn.com/Products/Alternate%20Image%20View.jpg?i=1B636298-4C7D-4DE9-B77F-6D54BEED644D

[@glennrudolph9867]

I love your channel Sparky...

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks so much Glenn!

[@jamess1787]

Bill, What if you had a drop ceiling with pot lights? Where the roof (or closest securing means) is more than 6' from the fixture support?

[@texasfrontiersman8245]

Use a wire support clip

[@jamess1787]

@@upgrayde I've been in plenty of drop ceilings where the only thing holding them up is the thin metal wire and the "panel t's": hardly sufficient to strap BX to. More support in the BX jacket then 15-20' of suspended ceiling tile wire. So according to NEC: the only solution is to move the drop ceiling up, or install permanent support structure to support the BX cable for the pot lights that are installed in the ceiling tiles.... Interesting.

[@vicktorpatriot1430]

Great informative videos

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Vicktor!

[@scottsatterthwaite4073]

So, you can't run NM through the top plate and a stud cavity to a receptacle 12" off the floor? You would have to either tear open the wall to support it or change to MC? Did I misunderstand?

[@crazypete3759]

: Yes, you can run NM through the top plate and a stud cavity to a receptacle 12" off the floor. NEC 334.30 (B) (1).

[@FallLineJP]

What about THHN and the like? 🤓🤔

[@Eddy63]

Got a good debate in the comments on this one Wild Bill ... I was correct as usual ... Lol ... Good info ... I like these NEC quizzes ...

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Eddy! I think the code is quite clear that any of the 3 code items qualify. It's great to see people reading the code and debating though. Of course you're correct! :)

[@Dfk429S9fo3]

Are you Scotty Kilmer's brother? :)

[@SparkyChannel]

Nope. :)

[@jamesp7760]

His cousin 😂

[@adamdnewman]

@Dfk429S9fo3 There is no possibility they could be related Kilmer is a brain dead shil.

[@DejuanJohn]

Impracticable 😂

[@SparkyChannel]

lol!

[@DejuanJohn]

@@SparkyChannel can you instruct an online state approved curriculum for California please

[@donnierobertson3088]

Ok

[@ashleysipe470]

Just buy a code book everybody!

[@SparkyChannel]

Good advise, thanks!

[@SEaudiofan]

Searching Sparky Channel can be quicker, and then dig out the book and read it,if you need to confirm, sometimes😏

[@mehdi-nadifi]

👍👏👏👏

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks!

[@MrTooTechnical]

good man

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Dave!