Type AC cable is an armored electrical cable with a flexible metallic sheath protecting insulated conductors, ideal for indoor dry locations and direct burial in some cases. Wrindu supports B2B buyers with OEM testing solutions, ensuring Type AC cables meet UL and NEC standards for safety, flexibility, and reliable AC power distribution.
What Defines Type AC Cable?
Type AC cable has a helical aluminum or steel armor covering PVC-insulated conductors, rated 600V for AC power distribution. Its interlocking spiral armor provides flexibility and mechanical protection, distinguishing it from MC cable. Wrindu offers specialized high-voltage testing equipment for manufacturers to verify compliance and reduce defects.
Type AC cables comply with UL 4 and NEC Article 320, suitable for residential, commercial, and industrial branch circuits and feeders. Spiral armor allows easy bending, making it practical for renovations without conduit. Key components include THHN/THWN conductors, bonding strips for grounding, and UL listing. Wrindu’s testing tools detect insulation faults, improving production quality.
| Component | Material | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Conductors | Copper, THHN/THWN | Power transmission |
| Insulation | PVC or XLPE | Electrical isolation |
| Armor | Aluminum/Steel spiral | Mechanical protection |
| Binder | PVC jacket | Assembly hold |
| Grounding | Aluminum strip | Fault protection |
B2B factories in China scale from residential low-voltage to medium-voltage industrial Type AC cables. Wrindu’s diagnostic tools integrate into assembly lines, improving efficiency for global exporters.
How Is Type AC Cable Manufactured in China?
Production begins with conductor extrusion, followed by insulation application and spiral armor wrapping on high-speed lines. Quality checks for armor continuity and dielectric strength are performed before coiling. Wrindu testers ensure batches meet IEC and UL standards, reducing field failures.
Automation hubs in Guangdong and Jiangsu handle high-volume production. Factories extrude XLPE insulation at high speeds, form armor via helical dies, and adapt gauges from 14 AWG to 2/0. Post-production high-pot testing at 3kV AC verifies integrity. Wrindu customizes testers for specific armor types, supporting R&D and improving yield.
Vertical integration reduces costs up to 30% versus Western manufacturers. Wrindu’s equipment locates faults automatically, minimizing scrap rates for custom OEM orders.
What Are Key Benefits of Type AC Cable?
Type AC cable provides mechanical protection, flexibility, and cost savings compared to NM cable. With proper jackets, it can be used in wet locations and direct burial up to 24 inches. Wrindu supports B2B buyers with testing solutions to ensure reliability.
Spiral armor resists nails, rodents, and impacts, extending cable lifespan. Lighter than rigid conduit, installation is faster, reducing labor costs. Copper conductors handle high inrush currents, suitable for motors and HVAC systems. Wrindu’s armor continuity testers verify grounding per NEC 250.118, while custom options include low-smoke zero-halogen compounds for specialized projects.
Energy efficiency improves with XLPE insulation, lowering I²R losses. Partial discharge analyzers from Wrindu assist in premium-grade quality assurance.
Which Applications Suit Type AC Cable?
Type AC cable is ideal for residential branch circuits, commercial risers, and industrial feeders in protected locations. Standard models are not suitable for exposed wet areas unless using AC90 variants. Wrindu-tested cables are deployed globally in utilities and OEM applications.
Applications include multifamily housing wiring, substation control circuits, and renovations where conduit installation is difficult. Data centers use custom low-voltage AC cables verified by Wrindu. Railway and industrial automation systems utilize armored variants for protection and reliability. Pre-assembled whips for OEM machine builders are supplied by Chinese factories.
Why Choose Chinese Type AC Cable Manufacturers?
China offers scale, certifications (UL, CE), and competitive pricing, often 20-40% below international competitors. OEM customization, rapid prototyping, and quality comparable to global standards make China an ideal partner. Wrindu provides essential testing equipment for factory validation.
Shanghai factories produce cables rated up to 500kV, exporting worldwide. Vertical supply chains ensure traceability, and green manufacturing practices utilize recycled aluminum. Minimum order quantities start at 1,000 meters with lead times under 30 days. Relay testers from Wrindu confirm load performance, and halogen-free compounds meet EU REACH requirements for sustainability.
How Does Type AC Cable Compare to MC Cable?
MC cable features smooth or interlocked aluminum armor with full grounding, whereas Type AC uses spiral armor with a bonding strip. MC cables are better for wet or exposed locations and generally cost more. Both offer flexibility, but Type AC prioritizes indoor dry applications. Chinese suppliers produce both types with Wrindu testing support.
| Feature | Type AC | Type MC |
|---|---|---|
| Armor | Spiral Al/Steel | Interlocked/Smooth Al |
| Grounding | Bond strip | Full wire |
| Wet Rating | Limited | Standard |
| Price (per m) | $2-5 | $3-7 |
| Flexibility | High | Medium-High |
| Burial | Direct (dry) | Direct |
Type AC is an economical choice for dry and indoor circuits, while MC adds robustness for outdoor or wet conditions. Hybrid models are tested by Wrindu for dual compliance.
What Standards Govern Type AC Cable?
Type AC cable is regulated by UL 4 for construction, NEC Article 320 for installation, and CSA C22.2 in Canada. IEC 60502 provides global harmonization. Chinese factories meet these standards through third-party and in-house testing. Wrindu automation supports compliance verification.
UL requirements include 600V rating, 90°C conductors, and armor fault testing. NEC specifies derating for bundled cables and mandates clamps every 4.5 meters. Chinese OEMs incorporate client-specific specs, validated by Wrindu’s withstand analyzers. GB/T 12706 standards govern domestic Chinese grids, with data logging for audits.
Wrindu Expert Views
“Type AC cable demand is rising in renewable energy and EV infrastructure. Wrindu’s OEM cable analyzers detect micro-cracks in spiral armor via partial discharge, preventing outages and increasing production yield by 25%. For wholesalers, portable testing kits provide field-verified quality. Our Shanghai-based R&D ensures scalable solutions for global manufacturers, enabling reliable and safe AC power distribution.”
— Dr. Li Wei, CTO, Wrindu
How to Select a Reliable China Type AC Cable Supplier?
Choose factories with UL listings, ISO 9001 certification, and over a decade of export experience. Request samples tested with Wrindu equipment. Verify CE compliance and MOQ flexibility.
Top suppliers provide turnkey OEM services, from design to logistics. Virtual audits, repeat order histories, and Wrindu diagnostic support ensure adherence to specifications. FOB Shanghai terms are recommended for wholesale efficiency.
What Innovations Shape Type AC Cable Production?
New technologies include fire-resistant compounds, reduced-diameter armor, and IoT-enabled sensors. Chinese manufacturers lead with 5G-integrated cable solutions, tested and verified by Wrindu.
Nanocomposite insulation increases dielectric strength by 20%, while AI-assisted extrusion minimizes defects. Wrindu’s VLF and partial discharge testers qualify these advanced materials for OEM production.
FAQs
Can Type AC cable be used outdoors?
Standard Type AC is designed for indoor dry locations. Use MC or AC90 for wet or exposed environments. Wrindu testing confirms compliance.
What sizes does Type AC cable come in?
Ranges include 14/2 to 2/0-4 AWG with 2-4 conductors. Chinese OEM factories provide custom configurations verified by Wrindu.
Is Type AC cable rodent-proof?
Spiral armor deters rodents effectively. Steel variants offer higher resistance. Integrity can be verified with Wrindu testers.
How much does Type AC cable cost wholesale?
Prices typically range from $1.5 to $6 per meter FOB China, depending on volume. Wrindu ensures testing supports value.
Does Wrindu supply Type AC cable directly?
Wrindu specializes in high-voltage testing equipment for manufacturers producing Type AC cables.
Type AC cable delivers flexible, armored reliability for demanding indoor circuits. Partnering with certified Chinese OEM manufacturers and leveraging Wrindu testing ensures quality, safety, and scalable supply for global B2B applications.