14/2 MC cable carries two 14-gauge insulated conductors plus a separate 14-gauge ground, and it’s used for branch circuits, lighting, and light-duty power in commercial and multi-family buildings.
Roughly 0.442 to 0.468 inches across the armor, this metal-clad cable shows up behind the walls of offices, schools, hospitals, and apartment buildings more often than in single-family homes. That thin armor jacket lets it run exposed along a concrete ceiling or fished through a finished wall without a separate conduit run. The one thing it will not tolerate is wet concrete or a direct burial trench — push it there and the armor corrodes from the inside out. Below is where it belongs, where it doesn’t, and the install details that trip people up.
What The “14/2” Number Actually Means
The 14 refers to American Wire Gauge size, and the 2 counts only the current-carrying conductors — the green ground is a third, separate conductor that the number leaves out. Each conductor is 14 AWG copper, and the standard build is THHN/THWN insulation in black, white, and green.
Two common construction types exist under the same 14/2 label:
- Solid copper — a single stiff strand per conductor, easier to strip and shape into tight box terminations.
- Stranded copper — multiple fine strands per conductor, more flexible for pulling through bends in a long run.
Every 14/2 variant is rated 600 volts. On a 120-volt branch circuit, 14-gauge copper is typically protected by a 15-amp breaker, so this cable suits lighting and receptacle circuits rather than heavy appliance loads.
Where 14/2 MC Cable Is Approved To Run
Type MC cable is permitted for branch and service power distribution, both concealed and exposed. SouthWire’s installation guide lists the following locations as acceptable for Armorlite Type MC cable:
- Fished or embedded in plaster walls
- Installed inside cable tray or an approved raceway
- Under raised floors for information technology equipment
- Environmental air-handling spaces, per NEC 300.22(C)
- Places of assembly, such as theaters and auditoriums
- Certain hazardous locations where the cable is listed for them
Beyond those spots, MC cable covers services, feeders, and branch circuits, and it can carry power, lighting, control, and signal circuits. The multi-family angle matters: 14/2 Type MC is routinely pulled through the walls of apartments and condos, where its metal jacket satisfies the fire and physical-protection requirements that plain NM-B cable can’t meet in some assemblies. In commercial and industrial buildings, the same cable typically feeds lighting runs and light-duty power circuits.
Where 14/2 MC Cable Is Not Allowed
The armor is a physical shield, not a waterproof barrier — moisture reaching the conductor insulation corrodes the metal and creates a shock path over time.
Damp and wet location ratings are location-specific, so a cable that works fine inside a dry ceiling plenum can fail in a parking garage or an outdoor trench. If the run leaves the building envelope or sits where water collects, a different wiring method is the right call.
Installation Details That Decide Whether It Passes Inspection
The two numbers inspectors check first are support spacing and bend radius. MC cable must be secured and supported at intervals not exceeding six feet unless the NEC allows otherwise, and every bend must keep an inner radius of at least seven times the cable diameter. On a cable roughly 0.45 inches across, that works out to a minimum inner bend of about 3.1 inches.
Three mistakes show up again and again on job sites:
- Reading “14/2” as two conductors total and forgetting the separate ground.
- Treating all MC cable as interchangeable, when application-specific variants and conductor constructions differ.
- Running it in wet or buried locations the listing excludes.
Always follow the manufacturer’s written instructions for the specific SKU — armoring, fittings, and anti-short bushings vary by product, and the printed guide is what the inspector will compare your work against. SouthWire’s MC cable installation guide walks through support spacing, bend limits, and termination in detail.
Quick Reference
| Specification | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Conductors | Two 14 AWG + separate 14 AWG ground | Ground not counted in the “2” |
| Voltage rating | 600 V | Across 14/2 variants |
| Insulation | THHN/THWN, black/white/green | Solid or stranded copper |
| Diameter over armor | About 0.442–0.468 in | Varies by SKU |
| Support spacing | Max 6 ft | Unless NEC allows otherwise |
| Minimum inner bend radius | 7x cable diameter | About 3.1 in for 0.45 in cable |
| Approved locations | Exposed, concealed, fished, cable tray, raised floors | Dry locations only |
| Not permitted | Wet locations, direct burial, underground conduit, overhead | Armor is not waterproof |
Pricing isn’t fixed by the manufacturer — listings vary by SKU length, conductor construction, and seller, so compare per-foot cost across vendors before buying a full reel. Cerrowire’s overview of MC cable construction and uses is a useful companion read when matching a variant to a job.
Before ordering, it’s worth checking a roundup of tested 14/2 MC cable options so the gauge, conductor type, and footage match the circuit you’re actually wiring.
Matching The Cable To The Job
14/2 MC cable is the right pick for 15-amp lighting and light-duty power branch circuits in commercial, institutional, and multi-family buildings, especially where the run is exposed or needs the physical protection a metal jacket provides. It is the wrong pick for anything wet, buried, or overhead.
Confirm three things before you buy: the circuit is 15-amp and dry, the location is on the approved list for Type MC, and the specific product carries the listing your inspector will check. Get those right and the install itself is a matter of spacing supports every six feet and keeping bends generous.
FAQs
Does 14/2 MC cable have a ground wire?
Yes. The “14/2” designation counts only the two insulated current-carrying conductors, but the cable also contains a separate 14 AWG equipment grounding conductor, usually with green insulation. That ground is a third conductor and is not included in the number before the slash.
Can 14/2 MC cable be buried underground?
No. Type MC cable is not rated for direct burial, underground conduit, or other wet locations. The metal armor resists physical damage but does not stop moisture from reaching the conductor insulation, which leads to corrosion and a shock hazard over time.
What size breaker works with 14/2 MC cable?
Fourteen-gauge copper conductors are typically protected by a 15-amp breaker on a 120-volt branch circuit. That makes this cable suitable for lighting and receptacle circuits rather than large appliance or equipment loads that draw higher continuous current.
References & Sources
- SouthWire. “MC Cable Installation Guide.” Supports approved locations, support spacing, and bend-radius requirements.
- Cerrowire. “MC Cable.” Supports MC cable construction, conductor makeup, and application guidance.
- Encore Wire. “MC Cable Guide Specifications.” Supports 600 V rating, THHN/THWN insulation, and diameter specifications.
