What Is AC90 Cable
AC90 is an armored cable, fully designated as armored cable 90°C. The “AC” indicates it belongs to the armored cable category, while “90” specifies its conductor’s maximum operating temperature of 90 degrees Celsius. Due to structural similarities with the earlier BX cable, AC90 is sometimes also referred to as AC90 BX cable.
It typically features a flexible interlocked aluminum armor design, providing essential mechanical protection while maintaining good flexibility for easy installation. AC90 is primarily suitable for exposed or concealed wiring in dry indoor environments. Note that most cables of this type lack a dedicated ground conductor, so continuity and reliability of ground connections must be ensured during installation.
Its rated voltage is typically 600V, and Honest AC90 products comply with the Canadian CSA C22.2 No. 51 standard, ensuring safety performance.
- Armored Protection
- All-Environment Use
- Easy Installation
- Cost-Effective Solution
- Code Compliant & Certified
Honest Cable: Professional CSA Approved AC90 Cable Manufacturer & Supplier
Honest AC 90 cables are CSA-approved, with flexible and interlocked aluminum armor for mechanical protection and easy installation. With the AC 90 cables, you don’t need cable conduits, as the interlocked armored construction allows for easy bending.
Our cables are designed with either copper or aluminum conductors. You can choose solid or stranded conductors, which are insulated with RW90 cross-linked polyethylene.
From our AC cable size chart, Honest offers different solid copper conductors, like the 4, 12, and 10 AWG. The number of color-coded conductors can be two, three, or four.
We recommend Honest AC 90 cables for open and concealed wiring in both industrial and residential applications. These include signal distribution, control systems, and power lighting since they are mostly rated 600 volts. While the working temperature range is -40°C to 90°C.
As a certified AC 90 cable supplier in China, our cables are tested in accordance with the CSA and CSA FT4 requirements. Get a quote today for all your AC 90 cables, customized to your market needs.
Features of Honest AC90 Cable
The AC90’s interlocking aluminum armor resists external pressure and impact while offering some protection against rodent damage. Additionally, this armor layer serves as a grounding path, eliminating the need for additional grounding wires in your wiring setup.
The conductor of the AC90 cable is 90°C-rated. Both aluminum and copper conductors possess excellent current-carrying capacity even under hot conditions. This provides you with more peace of mind in applications requiring a reliable long-term power source.
AC90 requires no additional conduit protection and can be installed directly during construction, saving you significant labor and installation time. Its flexible armored structure also allows the cable to easily pass through walls, ceilings, or cable trays, making it particularly suitable for use in confined building environments.
Compared to other cable types, AC90 offers lower overall costs. Whether it’s material prices or installation expenses, it helps you effectively control project budgets. For the dry environments of commercial buildings, it represents a highly cost-effective choice.
AC90 Cable Construction
The design of the AC90 may appear simple, but each layer serves a specific purpose, ensuring cables remain safe and efficient during power supply and wiring processes.
Conductor
AC90 cables can be composed of copper or aluminum conductors ranging from 18 AWG to 1000 kcmil. Copper conductors yield higher electrical conductivity, while aluminum conductors have lower weight and are a more affordable alternative.
Insulation layer
The outer covering of the conductor is covered with insulating material, which is generally thermoplastic PVC or cross-linked polyethylene. They possess high electrical current isolation characteristics, leakage, and short circuit resistance, and can be used in an environment having a rated temperature of 90°C.
Isolation layer
Between the armor layer and the insulation layer, a polyester tape or paper is typically positioned. The role of this layer is to provide an isolating and cushioning barrier for preventing direct friction between the metal sheath and the insulation.
Armor layer
The outermost layer consists of interlocking aluminum armor spirally wrapped around the cable. This design prevents mechanical damage during installation and operation while maintaining excellent flexibility, facilitating passage through walls, ceilings, or cable trays.
AC90 Cable Types by Conductor
When selecting cables in practice, you can distinguish AC90 cables based on their conductor type. There are two common types:
Honest AC90 copper conductors typically consist of two, three, or four conductors with cross-linked polyethylene insulation. When using it, you no longer need to install conduits or fittings, nor spend significant labor hours on threading wires or bending pipes. It offers high installation efficiency and long-term stability, making it ideal for projects demanding extremely high power supply reliability, such as hospitals, data centers, or critical commercial facilities.
Aluminum conductor AC90 utilizes cross-linked polyethylene insulation but has the advantage of being lightweight and less expensive, thus making it highly suitable for cost-effective projects. Although its electric conductivity is slightly inferior to copper, it can equally serve the power requirements of most projects by increasing the conductor cross-sectional area.
Armor Structure: AC90 cables utilize interlocked aluminum armor, typically without an additional outer sheath, resulting in lighter weight and greater flexibility. In contrast, MC cables often incorporate an outer sheath beyond the armor to enhance resistance against moisture and mechanical damage.
Grounding Method: Regarding grounding, AC90 cables rely on aluminum armor as the grounding path. In contrast, MC cables require a dedicated grounding conductor, which is a significant design difference between the two.
Installation Locations: AC90 cables are primarily intended for indoor dry environments, but may also be exposed when approved. In contrast, MC cables offer broader applicability. Sheathed types are suitable for indoor use and can also be installed in damp environments or outdoors. Certain specifications even permit direct burial or conduit installation.
Of course, AC90 cables are not suitable for all scenarios. They lack a dedicated grounding conductor, with grounding performance entirely dependent on the continuity of the armored layer. If grounding continuity is compromised, potential hazards may arise.
Furthermore, this cable is unsuitable for damp, exposed, or direct-buried environments due to its limited moisture resistance and weather resistance. For projects requiring rigorous grounding testing, AC90 installation and inspection procedures are also relatively complex. Therefore, before selection, you must evaluate its suitability based on the specific environmental conditions.
Commercial Buildings
The AC90 can be used to install feeder and branch circuits in offices, stores, corridors, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Its simple installation allows for quick fulfillment of power supply needs in commercial spaces.
Industrial Facilities
In the factory, workshop, or warehouse, the AC90 can provide power to production lines, machinery, and air conditioning. It may be installed along walls, ceilings, or cable trays, and provides reliable support for control and lighting circuits, making it a favorite in the industry.
Residential Projects
Whether for new construction or home renovations, AC90 meets everyday electrical needs for household lighting, heating, and cooling. Its simple installation requires no conduit, making it an economical and efficient solution for residential wiring.
Institutional Buildings
Schools, hospitals, and government offices typically require stable and reliable power systems. The AC90 finds extensive applications in these locations to provide power and ensure round-the-clock operation.
Exposed Runs
With approval, you may also mount the AC90 directly onto walls, ceiling studs, or cable trays. It is suitable for areas with potential physical damage, saving conduit costs while ensuring adequate protection.
AC90 cable offers a faster, cleaner, and more cost-effective installation compared to traditional conduit systems. Its interlocked aluminum armor provides mechanical protection without the need for separate conduit and fittings, reducing both labor and material costs. The cable’s flexibility makes it easier to route through walls, ceilings, and trays, saving valuable time during installation. For industrial or commercial applications, AC90 also simplifies maintenance and ensures long-term reliability with fewer connection points.
Installing the AC90 cable is straightforward, but following proper procedures ensures safety and compliance. Cut the cable to length, remove the armor carefully using an approved cutting tool, and install a listed AC connector to secure the ends. The cable should be supported at recommended intervals and terminated in accordance with local electrical codes and CSA/UL standards. Always verify grounding continuity through the armor and ensure the installation environment—dry, damp, or indoor—is suitable for AC90’s rated use.