Tray Cable

melo

In the county I live in the local ispectors will not allow TC type cable in residetioal wiring. Does anyone know why or point me to a place in the code book that says you can't use it?

mdshunk

Here's your code:

melo

now the question is why. What is the reasoning here?

mdshunk

That's the great thing about the code. Other people decide over a period of years and years what the code is going to be, another batch of people vote that code into law for your jurisdiction, and all we have to do is follow it. I think it's pretty nice that we don't have to worry about why.

My question for you.... why in the devil do you want to wire your home with tray cable? Romex is way cheaper.

melo

I just feel obligated to know. And I still don't. Plus there is a lot of reasons I have heard of and none of them have been correct. When someone ask's me why we can't use TC cable, instead of looking like a moron and saying "I don't know" I can at least give them a reason.

I also work at a large paper manufacuring plant and can get my tray cable for free from time to time. Plus it is ten times better than romex.
Free is a hard price to beat.

mdshunk

The nice thing about the NEC is that anyone at all can make a code change proposal, and the panel will consider it and rule up or down on its inclusion in the code. You're too late for the 2008 version, but you can absolutely submit a proposal for the 2011 NEC. If you need assistance on the process or the style that is to be used for the proposal language, repost. Best of luck to you.

Magnettica

Can I wire my house in MI cable?

mdshunk

If you want to, I think. That's miserable stuff to work with. I used a bunch of it in a YMCA remodel for emergency circuits when I was a pup. I forget what the reasoning was behind it, but I don't remember it being much fun to terminate. It was like a zillion piece connector went on the end.

Project53

The REAL answer here is that you can "rip" off this stuff for free and want use it in your own home....It's basically used in commercial applications....end of story. Gee pay for some Romex.