Is grounding through armored cable legit for modern code?

dwoloz

I know this was at one time common practice but is it today? Say I wanted to wire an overhead fluorescent light and run hot and neutral inside armored cable and use the armor itself as the ground.

Given that everything is bonded correctly, is it legit to run ground through the metal armor and still meet today's electrical code?

Proby

Yes, you can use BX if you choose, but it's locations are more limited. Where are you planning on using it, in your home?

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dwoloz

This is for my basement/crawl space in my home. The ceiling is unfinished so I wanted to protect the wires

I have 5/16" BX and need to run a hot neutral and switch loop and can only safely stick 3 wires in there so instead of buying new larger BX for 4 wires (3+ground) it would be rather convenient to keep what I have and route the ground through the metal itself

Proby

BX/AC/Armored Cable is a pre-wired cable assembly.

It seems as if you are talking about using an old piece of BX as Flexible Metallic Conduit (Greenfield).

No, you can't do what you suggest.

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brric

Can someone cite a code article that covers "BX"? Not AC but "BX" please.

Proby

For what reason?

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brric

To show that it is a recognized wiring method under the NEC.

Proby

You know it's a well known slang term just like the term "romex" (which you also won't find in the NEC, as you know) so why not just speak your mind instead of trying to draw this out...?

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