MC Cable 12-3 VS SOOW 12-3

by

ChristopherG Bell

MC cable and SOOW cable are completely different from one another and should not be used in place of each other for any application. Simply put, copper is copper, so three 12 AWG electrical wires should be able to connect power in the same manner. However, the insulation and jacket are engineered to protect that copper from the environment in which it s placed in. Any type of metal can get corroded without proper insulation to protect it from voltage, amperage, temperature and environmental conditions such as water and chemicals.

MC stands for Metal Clad which is aluminum interlocked armor over THHN THWN copper wires. The aluminum wrapped jacket serves as conduit for indoor applications such as power, lighting and control circuits which saves time and money for those installations. The copper wire is also engineered stiff instead of flexible in order to help with installations outdoors, in conduit and indoors when snaking the cable along the walls of a building.

When using MC cable outdoors it needs to be above ground or underground in conduit or approved race way. It isn t manufactured with enough protection to be used directly underground without conduit. It has UL approvals and a military specification approval of AA59554 which is needed for government jobs.

SOOW is a completely different animal and used most commonly as a standard home extension cord. An extension cord is engineered to be flexible because of coiling and uncoiling along with dragging it to portable applications on a regular basis. MC cable is installed and forgotten until there s a problem.

SOOW cable is considered portable cord with rubber insulation over the conductors and a thick rubber jacket. They are very flexible and used to connect power in portable scenarios such as a power tool on a construction site. They also connect generators and other small machines not exceeding 600 volts. Sometimes an extension cord is made with a male and female plug on both ends for easy connections. Other times the cable is directly connected to a power tool with a male plug on the opposite end.

Portable power cables are dragged across dirt and concrete on a daily basis and also wrapped around corners and over walls to drill a hole is a tight spot. Engineers think of these things when designing the tough outer jacket in order to make sure it can protect the copper for a long life worth of the same punishment. Make sure you discuss your application with your supplier to make sure you receive the correct cable for your situation.

WesBell Electronics is an electrical wire and cable distributor for

MC Cable

and many types of portable cord and heat shrink tubing.

MC cable 12-3

is a common item in our inventory along with NM-B cable and THHN wire. Please visit our website to find Free Shipping over $250 from an ISO9001 certified company.

Article Source:

MC Cable 12-3 VS SOOW 12-3