Kingdder Metal Clad Cable, Wire with Ground, Cable with Aluminum Armor, Stranded Solid Copper Conductors, Ground Wire Solid for Indoor Outdoor Underground Embedded Installation

Why I reached for this cable

I pulled a fresh 50‑foot coil of Kingdder’s 14/2 MC cable for a weekend upgrade: a new 15‑amp circuit to feed garage lighting and a small exterior disconnect. I like using MC for projects where I want more mechanical protection than NM‑B but don’t want to bend and strap EMT for every turn. This coil promised THHN/THWN‑2 conductors, aluminum interlocked armor, and a green equipment ground, all UL listed—exactly the recipe I look for in general‑purpose MC.

What you’re getting

• Type: 14/2 with ground, solid copper conductors
• Conductors: THHN/THWN‑2, 600 V, nylon‑jacketed insulation
• Sheath: Interlocked aluminum armor
• Length: 50 ft coil
• Listing: UL listed Type MC

The print legend on the armor was crisp and complete on my coil, and the conductors inside were what I expected: black, white, and a green equipment grounding conductor, all solid copper. The solid copper is appropriate for 14 AWG and keeps termination tidy at devices and breakers.

Build quality and handling

The armor is consistent, with even interlocks and no flat spots or kinks out of the wrap. That matters more than it sounds: uneven armor can walk a rotary cutter or leave sharp flanges when you cut it. I used a standard MC rotary cutter and “redhead” anti‑short bushings; both fit and seated properly. Cutting was predictable—no frayed nylon, no stray shards—and I didn’t hit any manufacturing tape or fillers that can sometimes complicate stripping.

Flex is what you’d expect from 14 AWG solid inside aluminum armor: stiffer than NM‑B, looser than EMT. It holds an arc nicely for neat vertical drops, and it’s flexible enough to snake through a few studs without a fight. The bend radius stayed well within code even around tight spaces; as a general rule, I keep MC bends gentle—no kinks, no flattening.

Support hardware is standard fare. I hung it with one‑hole straps at 4–5 ft intervals and within 12 in of terminations to stay compliant. Through metal studs, I used listed bushings. Across wood, I prefer standoff straps to keep the armor from rubbing and to leave room for future pulls.

Installation experience

• Terminations: The conductors stripped cleanly, and the solid copper seated firmly under device screws. The green ground made for a clean bond at boxes and equipment.
• Connectors: I used listed MC connectors and, outdoors, raintight fittings at the enclosure. The armor bit solidly into the connectors without over‑torquing, and the anti‑short bushing sat square every time.
• Pulling: The armor glides over wood reasonably well. For longer runs with a few turns, a dab of wire lubricant on stud holes helps keep friction down, though it wasn’t necessary for this 50‑foot pull.

One small note: this cable has a little coil memory out of the box. Feed from the center of the coil and let the cable relax as you go to avoid corkscrews.

Electrical performance and use cases

This is 14 AWG copper, so it’s a 15‑amp cable. That makes it a solid choice for:

• 120 V 15‑amp general lighting and receptacle circuits (where allowed by local code)
• 240 V 15‑amp small equipment circuits
• Short runs to exterior disconnects where mechanical protection is beneficial
• Utility areas, garages, workshops, and unfinished basements where NM‑B isn’t ideal

The THHN/THWN‑2 insulation is rated for wet locations at the conductor level and handles heat well. In practice, that means the wire itself is robust, but the system rating always comes down to the cable assembly and fittings—not just the conductor insulation.

Where you can and can’t use it

This is important for MC in general and this coil specifically:

• Dry and damp locations: Yes. This is bread‑and‑butter territory for MC.
• Outdoors, above grade: Often acceptable when the cable is protected from physical damage and terminated with raintight fittings. Check your AHJ’s interpretation.
• Wet locations and direct burial: Standard aluminum‑armored MC without an overall corrosion‑resistant jacket is not intended for direct burial and is typically not approved for wet locations unless it has an additional jacket and listed fittings. For truly wet environments or underground runs, I use PVC‑jacketed MC or run THWN conductors in raceway.

If you plan to run outdoors or in corrosive areas (coastal, chemical), aluminum armor can suffer. That’s where a PVC‑jacketed product or EMT/RMC makes more sense.

Durability and safety

After installation, I checked the armor under straps and at connector bites—no crushed interlocks, no burrs. The UL mark and legend spacing suggest a legitimate listing; fit with listed connectors was tight and repeatable. Using anti‑short bushings is a must; while some inspectors focus on manufacturer instructions rather than code text for these, it’s standard practice and they take seconds to install.

In the weeks since, the circuit has been quiet—no nuisance tripping, no heat at terminations. That’s expected on a properly sized 15‑amp run with solid copper THHN/THWN‑2, but it’s still nice to confirm.

Value against alternatives

• Versus NM‑B: MC costs more and is heavier, but it buys you superior mechanical protection and a cleaner look in exposed areas. It also saves you from adding a raceway where NM‑B would be vulnerable.
• Versus EMT: EMT gives unmatched future flexibility and is ideal in commercial settings, but it takes more time. For short residential or light commercial runs, MC frequently wins on labor. No bender, fewer fittings, faster terminations.
• Versus PVC‑jacketed MC: If you need wet‑location or corrosive‑environment approval, jacketed MC is the right tool. For typical indoor/damp installs, this Kingdder coil is the more economical, lighter option.

On price, this 50‑foot coil sits in the reasonable range for 14/2 MC. For small projects, 50 feet is a sweet spot—enough to complete a couple of runs without wrestling a heavy 250‑foot drum.

What could be better

• Clearer wet‑location guidance: I’d like a prominent marking or data sheet calling out whether this specific MC variant is approved for wet locations. As sold, it’s the standard aluminum‑armored type, so I treat it as dry/damp and above‑grade only.
• Included bushings: Tossing a handful of anti‑short bushings in the box would be a nice touch for DIYers. Not strictly necessary, but convenient.
• Pull tape or footage markers: Armor printing was clear, but stamped footage marks help with planning and reduce waste.

Who it’s for

• Electricians and experienced DIYers who want to save time versus conduit on 15‑amp runs
• Garage, basement, utility, and shop builds where exposed cable needs to look tidy and stand up to bumps
• Small equipment feeds where a 15‑amp circuit is appropriate and mechanical protection is beneficial

If you’re wiring kitchens, larger HVAC condensers, or workshops with heavier loads, you’ll likely want 12/2 or 10/2 MC instead.

The bottom line

Kingdder’s 14/2 MC cable did exactly what I needed it to do. It cuts cleanly, terminates without drama, and the armor is consistent and tough. The THHN/THWN‑2 conductors and green ground are what I expect in a UL‑listed MC assembly, and handling is predictable—stiffer than NM‑B, far faster than pipe for small projects.

I recommend this cable for 15‑amp circuits in dry and damp locations, and for above‑grade exterior runs where local code allows MC with raintight fittings. It’s a time‑saver with legitimate mechanical protection. Just be mindful of its limits: it’s not the right choice for direct burial, truly wet locations, or corrosive environments; use PVC‑jacketed MC or conduit there. Within those boundaries, it’s a solid, cost‑effective, and efficient way to get clean, protected runs without pulling out the bender.