Armored cable

[john.b]

Hello All, I'm putting some armored cable from my grid tie to the grid most of which is going underground but as it enters the house it goes through a small loft around 12 foot long, this space gets hot in summer so i was wanting to know would it be best for me to hang the cable from the wood beams so it has air all round or would sitting it on top of the insulation lower down be better, my thoughts were if it was lower down on top of the insulation the loft space should be a little cooler but then there is less air flow around the cable hanging on the beams means it higher up in a hotter part of the loft space although there are two small roof vents, or is this to small an issue and not worth thinking about ??

Total cable length is around 50m, 4mm armored, 8x260w canadian panels although i'm looking to add another 8 in time, also running through the same grid feed is 850w max hydro

Thanks you
john

[JSchnee21]

No impact from a temperature perspective. Assuming the cable is of the correct gauge for distance and current, it should never heat above ambient conditions. Small changes in ambient temperature 20F-120F would have no significant effect on resistance. The main consideration would be from a code perspective whether or not the loose cable could be walked on, pinched, rubbed against something, etc.

In my home for, example, there are electric cables in the attic both strung through holes in the rafters and well as laying long the drywall (above the ceiling below) and under the insulation. Since this is an attic and not a garage, there are no special requirements for armor, conduit, etc.

BUT, which cable are you referring to? 120VAC? (I think so -- from inverter to grid?) Or DC Voltage for your panels? Not sure what may be required to run high voltage DC >240V inside of your home.

[john.b]

Many thanks J, the cable is for 240v main UK the loft space is very small and can't really be entered as it's a false ceiling with very little head room so no chance anyone will ever be near the cable, it was really just the heat that concerned me so was just wanting to place the cable as best i could.

Take care
john

[inetdog]

I am not very familiar with UK wiring techniques, but what is called armored cable (type AC or type BX) in the US is not approved for underground use either directly buried or in conduit.
I assume you are referring to a flexible cable with a metal armor layer and a waterproof outer covering?

[john.b]

I am not very familiar with UK wiring techniques, but what is called armored cable (type AC or type MC) in the US is not approved for underground use either directly buried or in conduit.
I assume you are referring to a flexible cable with a metal armor layer and a waterproof outer covering?

Hi, Yes the cable has the metal armor with the waterproof outer shell and can go into the ground without conduit,

Thank you
john