What is hospital-grade MC and how does it differ from regular MC?
MC cables come in a variety of constructions to meet various installation and application needs. But what is the difference between particular types of MC wiring, like the hospital-grade and standard MC cables? Let’s find out.
What is MC cable?
MC cable stands for a metal-clad cable, which is an electrical wire consisting of an insulated circuit conductor (or several of such) that is covered with an interlocked metal tape as armor or sheathed with metal. Metal clad cables are factory assemblies.
There are various configurations in which MC cables come, and this makes it an excellent wire to meet many of the consumers’ needs. For example, one may find metal-clad wires that are neutral per phase or super neutral, have isolated grounds, or are home run cables.
There are also MC wires with steel armor, which is made of galvanized steel. These have strong resistance to oils, liquids, and dirt, which makes it possible to bury the cable directly into the ground and concrete, hence allowing for a wide range of other applications, like swimming pool motors or docks.
What is a hospital-grade MC cable?
Because of specific requirements, the wiring must comply with, not all wires are suitable for use in hospitals and areas where patients are taken care of, including hospitals, nursing homes, medical centers, clinics, dental offices, and other healthcare facilities besides hazardous anesthetizing areas. However, particular metal-clad cables can be used in such facilities — these are called hospital-grade metal-clad wires.
MC cables that are hospital grade comply with the requirements listed in NEC sections 517.13(A) and 517.13(B). These imply regulations for wiring in areas where patients are taken care of. The requirements listed in the mentioned NEC articles contribute to additional safety in patient-care areas, therefore being the go-to option for wiring in environments of this kind.
What is the difference between MC cables and hospital-grade cables?
Healthcare facilities are applications that require isolated, dedicated, or redundant grounding paths. According to the NEC article 517.13, wiring installed in patient-care facilities must have independent grounding conductors in fixed electrical equipment and receptacles.
In particular, there should be 2 kinds of paths — an armored aluminum full-sized conductor and a copper conductor that is full-sized, insulated, and green. This reduces the risk of electrical shock by providing redundancy in the branch circuits running in the area.
In addition, hospital-grade MC wires have each conductor insulated individually instead of an overall assembly tape like in other type MC cables, for extra safety and faster installation and terminations.
Where to buy hospital-grade MC wire?
While MC cables can be easily found in any wiring store, hospital-grade wires may not be offered at all places. However, professional electrical cable stores like Nassau National Cable sell hospital-grade MC cable, along with other types of this wiring.
