Hospital-grade MC (Metal-Clad) cables are metal-clad cables designed for healthcare facilities. Another name for this cable is HCF MC.

The major difference between HCF MC and regular MC is the aluminum bonding strip that is in contact with the metallic jacket of the cable for its entire length, providing a safe grounding path with low impedance. This minimizes ground faults, crucial for maximized safety in hospital environments. Basically, this makes the jacket an additional safe grounding path in addition to the green grounding wire that is already there.

Applications of Hospital-Grade MC Cables

• The general recommendation is that hospital-grade MC cables be used in hospitals, nursing homes, medical centres, clinics, dentals, and other medical enterprises for anything a patient can touch inside the exam room, including receptacles and light switches, and also for branch circuits in general. Aside from the exam room, this include other rooms where patients can touch receptacles, such as patient rooms, ICUs, ER, labour and delivery rooms, imaging rooms, etc. HCF MCs are not required in rooms where patients cannot access receptacles and light switches. For example, you can skip installing them in the hallway and install regular MC cables instead.
• According to 517.13 NEC, " All branch circuits serving patient care spaces shall be provided with an effective ground-fault current path by installation in a metal raceway system or a cable having a metallic armor or sheath assembly." This reinforces the point that patient care spaces call for HCF MCs. Operating rooms are also subject to 517.13.
• Hospital-grade MC cables are not installed in offices, administrative areas, and rooms outside of patient care areas and are available only to hospital staff.
• In nursing homes, hospital-grade MC cables are applied not only in areas of treatment but also in resident rooms where residents live because these rooms are classified as general care patient areas.
• The requirements for HCF MC cables can also be influenced by local electrical codes.

Specifications of Hospital-Grade MC Cables

• Two-, three- or four-circuit THHN/THWN conductors. THHN conductors that are not resistant to moisture are also possible.
• The green insulated ground conductor
• Aluminium bonding strip for grounding
• Interlocked aluminium grounding
• 90°C Dry
• 600 V
• Solid or Stranded
• PVC insulation

Can other cables be used instead of HCF MC in patient areas?

Yes, as long as they fit 517.13 NEC requirements for cables in patient areas. These can be:

• AC (Armored Cable) with insulated equipment grounding conductor
• Metal conduit systems (EMT, IMC, RMC) with extra grounding conductor
• MI cables (more expensive, but sometimes used in operating areas for fire resistance)
• Raceway systems with insulated grounding conductors

However, hospital-grade HCF MC already have everything required for installation, so there is no need to reinvent the wheel. They already have the grounding and are designed for these areas, so it is best to just go for them.

At NNC, we sell licenced hospital-grade MC Cables at excellent prices. You can also buy regular MC cables for non-patient care areas and alternatives to HCF MC.