NEMA Publishes Two Cable Standards

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association has published RV 1-2008, Applications and Installation Guidelines for Armored Cable (AC) and Metal-Clad (MC) Cable, and RV 2-2008, Applications and Installation Guidelines for Nonmetallic-Sheathed (NM-B) Cable and Underground Feeder and Branch (UF-B) Circuit Cable.

Both standards were updated to reflect changes in the National Electrical Code. The RV 1 was last revised in 2004, and it contains information on the latest installation, application and construction requirements for types MC and AC cables. According to George Straniero, chair or the committee that revised RV 1, "The information provided will be useful to designers, specifiers, contractors, electricians, apprentice programs and to anyone that wants to be sure that the proper armored cable product is specified for the proper applications and that the cables are properly installed to ensure a safe and trouble-free electrical installation."

RV2 was last revised in 2005 and focuses on types NM-B and UF-B cables. "These application and installation guidelines offer practical information on correct usage and industry-recommended practices for the installation of Type NM-B and Type UF-B cables," says Dave Mercier, chair of the committee that revised RV 2.