Umair Gaines
Metal-clad cable, commonly used for electrical wiring inside walls, comes in several varieties, but the most common type consists of three insulated wires (two circuit conductors and a grounding wire) protected by a flexible aluminium armour. Cutting metal-clad cable without damaging the wires inside can be tricky, and it is recommended to call an electrician if you don't have the right tools. The best tools for the job are cable cutters, which are designed to cut through the armour without damaging the wires. If you only have a few cuts to make, you can also use side cutters or a saw blade, but be sure to wear protective gloves as the edges of cut armour can be sharp and dangerous.
Characteristics and Values of Cutting Metal-Clad Electrical Cable
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cable Type | Metal-clad (MC) cable with insulated wires protected by flexible armor, typically aluminum |
| Common Sizes | 14, 12, and 10 gauge |
| Cutting Tools | Armored cable rotary cutter, cable cutters, side/diagonal cutters, saw blade, angle grinder, bolt cutters, hacksaw, portable band saw, or multitool |
| Preparation | Measure and mark the cable, bend at the mark to pop open the armor, ensure power is turned off for safety |
| Cutting Technique | Apply firm pressure when using a rotary cutter, adjust blade depth for cable cutters, cut at a 45-degree angle with a saw blade, avoid damaging wires |
| Post-Cutting | Remove excess armor, smooth sharp edges with side cutters or a metal file, trim multiple times if needed |
| Best Practice | Use an armored cable rotary cutter to avoid damaging wires, ground the metal box, use single-hole straps for support, avoid sharp bends |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Use cable cutters, armoured cable rotary cutters, or tin snips
Before cutting metal-clad electrical cable, ensure that the power is turned off.
Cable cutters, armoured cable rotary cutters, and tin snips are all effective tools for cutting metal-clad electrical cable. Cable cutters, also known as diagonal cutters, are specifically designed for cutting through metal cables. They typically have strong, sharp jaws that can cut through the cable with relative ease. To use cable cutters, simply place the cable between the jaws and squeeze the handles together. Ensure that the cable is securely held in place before applying pressure to avoid any slippage.
Armoured cable rotary cutters are another option and are ideal for cutting through thick metal cladding. These cutters have a circular blade that rotates, allowing for precise cuts. To use them, place the cable on a flat surface and position the cutter on top, with the blade aligned with the cutting line. Apply pressure and rotate the cutter to slice through the cable.
Tin snips, or side cutters, are a type of scissor designed for cutting metal. They have strong, short blades that can handle the thickness of metal-clad cables. To use tin snips, simply insert the cable between the blades and cut in a controlled manner. Tin snips are particularly useful for cutting through corrugated ribs on the cable, allowing for a clean separation.
When using any of these tools, it is important to wear appropriate safety gear, such as gloves and eye protection, to prevent injuries from sharp edges and metal shards. Additionally, ensure that the cutting blades are in good condition and suitable for the type of cable being cut. Dull or incorrect blades can be ineffective and may even cause damage to the internal wires.
How Ring Doorbells Work: Electricity or No Electricity?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Avoid damaging the wires
Cutting metal-clad cable without damaging the wires inside can be challenging due to the protective armour or sheath. Before you begin, ensure the power is off. You can then remove the cover from the box and disconnect whatever is inside, including wire nuts. Next, remove the harness securing the conduit to the box.
There are a few tools you can use to cut the cable without damaging the wires. Cable cutters are designed for this purpose and will ensure the wires are undamaged. Alternatively, if you only need to make a few cuts, side cutters or diagonal cutters can be used. These will cut through the armour, leaving the wires inside intact. You can also use a hacksaw, but this is more cumbersome and requires more care. When using a hacksaw, hold the cable firmly in one hand and the saw in the other, with the blade at a 90-degree angle to the cable. Do not cut straight across; instead, cut at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.
When using any cutting method, it is important to take your time and apply the right amount of pressure. Too much force can damage the wires. After cutting through the armour, gently pull the two sections apart to separate them. Be careful not to pull too hard, as this can cause the armour to separate further down the line, damaging the cable.
Once the armour is separated, trim any sharp edges with side cutters or a metal file to create a smooth finish. This will help prevent injury when handling the cable and ensure the wires are not damaged during installation or repairs. It is also important to wear protective gloves when working with metal-clad cable to safeguard your hands from sharp edges.
Magnetizing Screwdrivers: Electric Current Tricks for DIYers
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Bend the cable to create an opening
Bending metal-clad electrical cable is a good way to create an opening to start cutting. This method is particularly useful if you only have one or two cuts to make and don't want to invest in a cutting tool.
First, measure the length of the cable you need and mark the armour with a permanent marker at the correct length. It's best to measure a few times to ensure accuracy. Then, place your hands on either side of the mark and push down, bending the cable at the mark. As you do this, the armour should pop open.
Once you have created the opening, you can use a side/diagonal cutter to start the cut. It is important to note that you should avoid sharp bends when routing electrical MC cable, as this could damage the cable sheath or the conductors.
After you have made the cut, trim any sharp ends on the remaining armour with side cutters to create a smooth edge. If you are unable to get a smooth edge with the cutters, you can use a metal file to gently file the edges. Be careful not to file the cables themselves.
Golf Cart Maintenance: Simple Steps for Electric Models
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Use a metal file to smooth sharp edges
Cutting metal-clad electrical cable can be tricky, especially when it comes to avoiding damage to the wires inside. The best tools for the job are cable cutters, side cutters, or an armoured cable rotary cutter. However, one of the challenges of cutting metal-clad electrical cable is that it can leave sharp edges on the remaining armour.
To address this, use a metal file to gently smooth out any sharp edges. This will help prevent injury when you're handling the cable during installation or repairs. Make sure you don't accidentally file the cables themselves. It's also important to wear protective gloves while you're working, as jagged metal edges can cut your hands.
When using a metal file, gently sand down the edge of the armour where you made the cut. Take your time and be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this could damage the cable. It's also important to double-check that the cut went all the way through the armour before you start filing. If you try to pull the armour apart and it feels like it's taking too much pressure, double-check that the cut is complete.
Using a metal file to smooth sharp edges on metal-clad electrical cable is an important step to ensure your safety and the integrity of the cable. It only takes a few extra moments, but it can make a big difference in the overall outcome of your project. Remember to take the necessary precautions and work carefully to achieve the best results.
High-End PC Electricity Consumption: How Much Does it Cost?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Ground the metal box
Grounding a metal box is a simple process. Every metal box needs to be grounded. To ground a metal box, connect the incoming and outgoing ground wires to a pigtail. Then, connect the pigtail to the metal box using a grounding screw.
When working with metal-clad cable, you may need to use a connector to attach the cable to the box. It is easier to mount the connector on the box before feeding the wires through. Make sure there is a minimum of 6-8 inches of exposed wire inside the box.
BX cable, a type of metal-clad cable, can achieve grounding through its outer metal casing. This casing needs to be attached to metal boxes. If you are using a plastic box, you will need to connect a grounding pigtail to the cable and make it available to the receptacle.
When cutting metal-clad cable, it is important to use the correct tools to avoid damaging the wires inside. An armoured cable rotary cutter is the best tool for the job, as it will only cut through the armour, leaving the wires undamaged. If you only have a few cuts to make, you can bend the cable sharply and then use a side/diagonal cutter to cut through one section of the armour. This method will leave a jagged edge that will need to be trimmed, and the ends of the cable will be sharp, so be sure to wear gloves.
Who Published Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Cable cutters are the best tool for cutting armoured cable. You can also use a saw blade, angle grinder, bolt cutters, or tin snips.
First, measure the length of the cable you need and mark the armour at the correct length. Then, adjust the blade depth of the cutters according to the depth of the armour.
An armoured cable rotary cutter is the best method for cutting metal-clad electrical cable without damaging the wires. This tool uses a small cutting wheel powered by a hand crank and will cut only through the armour.
Before cutting, turn off the power to avoid the risk of getting shocked or killed. Make sure to wear protective gloves as the edges of cut armour can be jagged and sharp.
