6/10
Type UF Cable
Type UF indicates underground feeder (UF) and branch-circuit cable. It’s permitted to be installed underground in direct contact with the earth, and in other wet, damp, dry or corrosive locations.
Type UF primarily brings power to detached garages, outbuildings or for outdoor lighting. Unlike Type NM-B cable, the insulated wires and the bare ground wire in Type UF cable are molded within the outer sheath.
Compared to the ease of removing the outer sheath of Type NM-B cable, removing the outer sheath of Type UF cable often becomes a tug-of-war. However, it’s purposely made to be extra tough to withstand the harsh environment in a direct-burial installation.
Depending on the situation, Type UF is direct buried or run in conduit, such as a short length of metal or PVC conduit used as a sleeve under a sidewalk. It also must be protected from physical damage by metal conduit or Schedule 80 plastic conduit where it exits the ground. That way, you can’t wreck it with your lawn mower.
The insulated wires in regular Type UF are only rated for 60 C. Where Type UF will be installed indoors as a substitute for Type NM-B, look for Type UF-B to be sure the enclosed wires are rated for 90 C.
7/10
Type MC Cable 7
Type MC cable has largely replaced Type AC cable (armored cable). The latter was a popular factory assembly of insulated wires with a bare metal bonding strip, enclosed within flexible interlocked metallic armor.
Type MC cable is similar, but it’s manufactured in lots of sizes and configurations for all kinds of residential, commercial and industrial installations.
Type MC cable is a good option for unfinished areas where more robust protection is needed to avoid physical damage, such as a basement or garage workshop. Type NM-B cable would be riskier in that environment.
