Temporary NM-B Cu-Clad Conductor

The Copperweld^® Temporary NM-B Advantage

Copperweld^® NM-B Cable is a welcome alternative for use in temporary circuits. Lightweight and flexible, it is easily employed overhead to aluminate dark construction space. NEC compliant per Article 590 for temporary installations, it discourages pilferage and theft at worksites as it offers thieves only a small fraction of the scrap value of single-metal copper NM-B cable.

Product Overview

Cu-Clad Aluminum (CCA) Conductor — Drawn from a copper-clad aluminum rod, with the copper metallurgically bonded to an AA 8000 series aluminum core, where oxygen-free copper forms a minimum of 10 percent of the cross-sectional area of a solid conductor or each strand of a stranded conductor.

Article 590 Temporary Installations

Feeders. Section 590.4(B)(1) Type NM, Type NMC and Type SE cables shall be permitted to be used in any dwelling, building or structure without any height limitation or limitation by building construction type and without concealment within walls, floors or ceilings.

Branch Circuits. Section 590.4(C)(1) Type NM, Type NMC and Type SE cables shall be permitted to be used in any dwelling, building or structure without any height limitation or limitation by building construction type and without concealment within walls, floors or ceilings.

Article 334 Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable: Types NM and NMC

Section 334.104 Conductors: The 600-volt insulated power conductors shall be sizes 14 AWG through 2 AWG copper conductors or sizes 12 AWG through 2 AWG Aluminum or Copper-Clad Aluminum conductors. Control and signaling conductors shall be no smaller than 18 AWG copper.

Theft Deterrent

Metallugically bonded conductor results in lower scrap value, reducing theft.

Energy Efficient

Better energy efficiency than standard residential branch circuit wiring.

Cost Stable

Reduced exposure to commodity fluctuation improves your bottom line.

Identification, Applications and Usage

Copperweld^® Copper-Clad Aluminum Type NM-B (non-metallic sheathed cable) is referenced by Article 334 of the National Electrical Code. OSHA safety listed: UL E492024. ETL listing: 5021266.

Wiring Methods: Per Article 334 section 104 of the National Electrical Code (NEC) referencing Non Metallic Sheathed Conductors, Type NM-B cables can be made with Copper-Clad Aluminum conductor material. Per Article 590 of the NEC for Temporary Installations, for both feeders and branch circuits, Type NM, Type NMC, and Type SE cables shall be permitted to be used in any dwelling, building, or structure without any height limitation or limitation by building construction type and without concealment within walls, floors, or ceilings.

Identified for use with wiring devices, splice connectors and equipment terminals rated for Cu, Cu/Al and CO/ALR. When terminating with twist-on splice connectors, pre-twisting is not recommended. Torque until the wires are tight under the cap and visibly twisted together two times outside of the cap to ensure electrical contact. Do not over-torque or under-torque. When terminating to panel lugs and wiring devices, torque to 12 to 14 lbf-in. Ensure secure connection limiting wire deformation. Copperweld^® NM-B is made with ASTM B-566 Copper-Clad Aluminum bare wire, which carries its own component listing, RU DVVU2. Copperweld NM-B conductors are suitable to terminate on 15 and 20 ampere rated wiring devices (receptacles and snap switches) marked ‘copper only’ or ‘CO/ALR’. For termination on devices rated 30 amperes or greater, the termination must be marked ‘CU/AL’ or equivalent. Please consult UL Product IQ guide information RTRT and WJQR if further confirmation is required. Copperweld^® NM-B CCA conductor satisfies Article 110.14 Electrical Connections as being a similar metal to copper for the purposes of electrical connections. Copperweld^® NM-B may be pigtailed to single-metal copper wire in dry locations. Copperweld^® NM-B cable should not be terminated with single-metal aluminum wire without the application of an oxide inhibitor or a terminal or connector specifically listed for the intermixing of dissimilar conductor metals. Copperweld^® ASTM B-566 Copper-Clad Aluminum wire is not dissimilar to copper, brass or zinc plated steel.