Step-by-Step

To get through the metal covering, hold a hacksaw at a right angle to the spirals and cut partway through the armor. With BX, be especially careful not to nick the insulation on the wires inside. For a safe and easy way to cut cable, use a BX cutter (see inset).

Twist the armor and it will snap free. The paper-wrapped wires (and aluminum bonding strip, if there is one) can be snipped with ordinary wire cutters. To expose the wires for connections to boxes and fixtures, cut off the armor at a second point about a foot away.

Run armored cable and flexible conduit through holes bored in the middle of framing members. Where necessary, use notches. BX and Greenfield are heavier and stiffer than nonmetallic cable, so it will take more room every time you want to change direction.

Even armored sheathing can be pierced with a nail, so anywhere that the cable is within 1-1/4 inches of the framing surface, protect it with a nail plate designed for the purpose. For short runs (see inset), flexible armored cable can be left exposed?check your local codes.

Support metal-clad cable with specially designed straps or staples every 4 feet or so and within 12 inches of boxes. If you're fishing through existing walls or ceilings, secure the run as best you can.