Interlocked Armored Cable

Interlocked armored cable is cable with a protective metal armor layer designed to help protect the conductors from physical damage. The interlocked armor is formed around the cable in a way that provides strength while still allowing the cable to maintain some flexibility during installation.

It is commonly used in commercial, industrial, utility, health care, fire alarm, power, control, and medium voltage applications where cable protection and installation efficiency are important.

Interlocked armored cable is used for applications that require added mechanical protection without installing separate conduit in every situation. Common uses include service circuits, branch circuits, feeder circuits, fire alarm wiring, remote control circuits, health care facilities, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, utility applications, and medium voltage power distribution.

The specific cable type depends on the voltage rating, conductor type, armor material, grounding requirements, shielding, jacket material, and installation environment.

Type MC cable, or metal-clad cable, is a factory-assembled cable with insulated conductors inside a protective metallic covering. It is commonly used for service, feeder, branch circuit, power, control, and commercial or industrial wiring applications.

On this category page, Type MC options include UL Type MC interlocked armor cable, XHHW-2 Type MC cable, EPR Type MC medium voltage cable, and XLP Type MC medium voltage cable.

Armored cable includes a protective metal covering as part of the cable assembly. Conduit is a separate raceway that wires or cables are pulled through during installation.

Armored cable can help reduce installation time because the conductors and protective armor are supplied as one assembly. Conduit may still be required or preferred in certain applications, depending on code requirements, project specifications, location, and environmental conditions.

Shielded armored cable should be used when the project requires both mechanical protection and electrical shielding. Shielding is often specified for medium voltage cable, power distribution systems, and installations where electrical stress control or signal protection is needed.

The right shielded armored cable depends on the voltage rating, insulation type, armor type, jacket material, grounding method, and system design.

Armored fire alarm cable is used for fire alarm wiring and related control circuits in commercial, industrial, multi-residential, and public assembly spaces. It may be used to connect fire alarm control panels with pull stations, smoke detectors, alarms, and remote control circuits.

Armored health care facilities cable is designed for hospitals, nursing homes, health care facilities, environmental air handling spaces, and applications where redundant grounds are specified. This type of cable is used where the electrical system must support the requirements of health care environments.

The correct cable should be selected based on the project specification, grounding requirements, voltage rating, and installation conditions.

To choose the right interlocked armored cable, start with the application and required voltage rating. Then confirm the conductor material, conductor count, insulation type, jacket material, armor material, grounding requirement, shielding requirement, temperature rating, and installation environment.

It also helps to know whether the cable will be used for fire alarm wiring, branch circuits, feeders, health care facilities, utility systems, industrial power, medium voltage distribution, hazardous locations, cable trays, ducts, plenums, or exposed and concealed installations.