Metal clad cable (MC)

Mineral insulated metal sheathed cable (MI)

RPVC-Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
HDPE-High density polyethylene conduit
Definition
Metal clad cable (MC)

According to the NEC, a metal clad cable is “a cable in which

the conductors are enclosed in a corrugated metal sheath or
interlocking metal tape, insulated, and the entire cable is
put together at the factory.”
Application

Metal clad cables can be found in many locations, including indoors,

outside, and even underground. This cable is durable and flexible,
making it an excellent choice for service, feeder, and branch circuits and
across commercial, industrial, and residential applications.

Type MC cables work well in Class I, Division I hazardous locations (these

are called MC-HL cables), healthcare facilities, theaters, assembly plants,
and power and lighting control. Despite its aluminum armor, it can also
be used in wet locations but needs to have a PVC jacket for protection. A
list of potential applications is outlined in National Electrical Code (NEC)
Article 330.
Type MC cable shall be permitted as follows:
For services, feeders, and branch circuits.
For power, lighting, control, and signal circuits.
Indoors or outdoors.
Exposed or concealed.
To be direct buried where identified for such use.
In cable tray where identified for such use.
In any raceway.
Composition
A standard MC cable includes: A metal jacket
surrounding one or more insulated conductors. A
PVC jacket for direct burial and wet location
application. A full-size ground wire (unlike AC,
MC armor cannot be used for grounding)
Definition

Mineral insulated cable (mims cable) is a type of

bendable metal cable used in temperature sensor
manufacture. It is also known as Mineral insulated metal
sheath or MIMS for short. Mineral insulated cable is
made from a seamless metal tube, tightly packed with
Magnesium Oxide powder.
Application

MI cables are used in critical fire protection applications

such as alarm circuits, fire pumps, and smoke control
systems. In process industries handling flammable fluids
MI cable is used where small fires would otherwise
cause damage to control or power cables.
What is MI cable used for? Mineral insulated fire
survival cables where created with critical and
essential circuit protection in mind. They are
ideal for use in protecting buildings and
structures for example, high-rises, tunnels,
airports, healthcare facilities, and industrial or
petrochemical plants.
Composition

Mineral insulated cable (mims cable) is a

type of bendable metal cable used in
temperature sensor manufacture. It is also
known as Mineral insulated metal sheath or
MIMS for short. Mineral insulated cable is
made from a seamless metal tube, tightly
packed with Magnesium Oxide powder.
Definition

Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit (PVC). A rigid nonmetallic

raceway of circular cross section, with integral or associated
couplings, connectors, and fittings for the installation of
electrical conductors and cables. 352.6 Listing Requirements.
PVC conduit, factory elbows, and associated fittings shall be
listed.
Application

Rigid PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Unmodified polyvinylchloride is a very rigid thermoplastic.
Flexibility can be increased over a wide range by adding
varying amounts of several plasticizers such as dioctyl
phthalate. A frequent method of processing PVC involves the
suspension of solid particles of the polymer in an appropriate
plasticizer.
Uses

Electrical conduit made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is

a form of plastic conduit that is frequently used in
industrial, commercial, and residential settings to
protect and route electrical wiring.
Composition

RIGID POLYVINYL CHLORIDE CONDUIT (PVC) (NEC

ARTICLE 352) BASICS AND TUTORIALS. The most
commonly used PVC (formerly referred to as rigid
nonmetallic conduit) is made of polyvinyl chloride,
which is a thermoplastic polymer. Solvent type cement is
used for PVC connections and terminations.
Definition

HDPE pipe is a type of flexible plastic pipe used

for fluid and gas transfer and is often used to
replace ageing concrete or steel mains pipelines.
Made from the thermoplastic HDPE, its high
level of impermeability and strong molecular
bond make it suitable for high pressure
pipelines.
Application

Benefits of HDPE Conduit

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) conduit is the preferred
material to house and protect electrical power and
telecommunications cables within. It offers unmatched
corrosion and chemical resistance, is flexible, durable and
available in long reel lengths to reduce joints and installation
time. HDPE conduit is available in a variety of sizes, colors,
dimensions and lengths.
Uses

Def HDPE pipes are used for

Conduit, power,
communications, water,
mining, dredging, gas.
Comparison

High Density Polyethylene is a polymer. Polymer

molecules are made of repeating chains called
monomers. The monomer that makes up HDPE is
ethylene, with the chemical formula of (C2H4)n.
Catalysts are then added creating new ethylene co-
monomers on the ends of the polymer chain.