BX vs Liquidtight

maintenanceguy

I can see a valid argument for liquidtite. Except that nothing else on the boiler is water tight, burner motors are usually air over types, aquastat boxes are not weather tight, primary controls aren't either. No point in protecting the already rubber covered wires if the water will just run into the junction boxes.

Mark J Strawcutter

which do you prefer?

For running AC conductors for circs, controls, etc do you prefer BX or liquidtight conduit (nonmetallic or metallic?).
I imagine in some places it a code requirement more than personal preference.

I like using liquidtight, but most of the pictures posted here show BX. One posted the other day had liquidtight so I thought I'd ask.

Mark

ed wallace

bx vs liquidtight

i guess its mostly personal choice unless its code in Ma. bx is allowed and every one i know uses bx

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J.C.A.

Due to ....

environmental conditions , I prefer to run any outdoor wiring in NMET . I have seen the effects on the BX and after almost 15 years with the plastic , no problems . JMHO. Chris

Earthfire

bx

liquidtite metallic or nonmetallic is for use in wet or damp locations, also good for high dust areas. BX is just about a thing of the past as it does not have a real ground conductor.On the other hand MC or MC light cable is a flexible metaljacketed cable assembly containing a full size ground wire.(The NEC does require a minimum of a full size GROUNDING conductor be connected to all powered equipment, Unless it is double insulated and manufactured with a two prong cord.) This should be the only cable that a thinking man would use near or on a boiler or furnace application. NM cable("ROMEX") has no place whatsoever on mechanical equipment based on temp. exposure and damage protection requirements in the NEC.To paraphrase the NEC, any wiring not specifically designed and assembled by the equipment manufacturer is considered to be field designed and assembled and must comform to the NEC.

Mark J Strawcutter

bx as generic term, heatboy post earlier

I was using the term BX in a generic sense to refer to armored cable. Sorry. Yes MC is what should be used.

What prompted my original question was a post by heatboy under the "what a pain" thread a few days ago. Included a picture of one of his past installations. Caught my eye that he used liquidtight instead of armored cable.

Of course the panel was mounted on smooth plate so this was obviously "pre-diamond" :-) so perhaps he converted to MC at the same time.

Anyway, liquidtight seemed an appropriate thing to use in a potentially wet environment. My only concern would be temperature.

Mark

heatboy

My evolution.

I started using this a couple of projects ago. SJO wire. I use various sizes from 16/3 (pictured)for pumps, etc. to 14/4 for primary voltage. It's fast and flexible. I don't like the look of BX much and while sealtite is great looking, it is much too slow to work with.

Warm Regards,

hb

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Jeff Lawrence_24

Locally

If a wire is not attached to a stud, it has to be incased in metal. The local sparky's give me the flex(I have to use my own wire) and the box adapters. I think the SJO would work and look better, as well as be easier, but the local inspectors think differently.

J

hr

Rubber cord

I have been using 16/6 SJ cord for the pump to relay box, properly fused of course. The SJO cord hb uses is a bit heavier wall, and I think the O stands for oil resistent.

I looks nice, I think, eAsy to hide behind the piping. Ideally long runs would be in EMT condiut for flush mounted wiring, using the SJ for the short, under 2 foot or so line from the controller to the pumps.

Electricians I question claim the rubber meets code if the runs are under 6 feet in length. True of false?

hot rod

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Mike Kraft

working with

MC is a bit of a challenge!It can be neat but it does take time...........and time is $$$$!!!I find that the more I try to make it neat the longer it takes!!Theory has it that a system should develope and then efficiency kicks in:)Still waiting!It never looks like it takes long but looks can be deceiving;)

cheese

heatboy

I should have been more specific.

Actually, what I use is SJTOW. Here is a link on the specifications with PDFs.

http://www.colemancable.com/catalog/Portable11a.htm

Warm Regards,

hb

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