BX ARMORED CABLE, WIRE
Description: This is a beaded steel casing with two or three insulated wires inside, each wrapped in spiral layers of tough paper. Two-wire BX has one white wire and one black wire but no ground wire. It doesn't have a third grounding wire of equal size like NM cable, but it does have a thin aluminum bonding wire for this purpose.
Buying information: Used for house wiring, this is a tougher material than NM cable, but many electricians don't use it because it is not as easy to work with. Still, inside a wall it stands up better, and if a nail hits it, the nail may not penetrate -- a good safety measure.
How-to hints: Use a hacksaw to cut it, and cut at a 45-degree angle for best results. It is used primarily in commercial establishments. Make sure the cable is braced 'well so the hacksaw doesn't slip.
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