Southwire 68579201 Armorlite Type Mc Aluminum Armored Cable, 14/2, 600 Volts, 250 Ft. Coil

Why I reached for this cable

On a recent commercial lighting retrofit, I needed a branch-circuit solution that balanced speed, protection, and clean terminations across dozens of fixtures and several long runs. I chose Southwire’s Armorlite 14/2 MC cable in the 250 ft coil, and after running it in both concealed and exposed sections, I’m comfortable calling it a dependable, installer-friendly option for 15A branch circuits in commercial, industrial, institutional, and multiresidential settings.

Form factor and handling

The 250 ft coil arrived tightly wound and well-contained, which matters more than it sounds. Poorly packaged MC can “spring” or kink the moment you start feeding it; this coil fed smoothly from the center with no snags. The interlocked aluminum armor hits a nice sweet spot: sturdy enough to protect the conductors in exposed runs, yet flexible enough to snake through studs, bar joists, and rack spaces without a fight. Compared to steel-armored MC, the aluminum keeps weight down and reduces installer fatigue over long pulls.

I kept my coils off the floor on a simple cradle so the cable could roll naturally as I pulled. Doing that, I didn’t encounter birdcaging or flat spots, and I never had to wrestle out memory-set bends. For a coil-pack (as opposed to a reel), that’s exactly what you want.

Fit, bend, and layout

Bendability is where aluminum MC earns its keep. The 14/2 format bends predictably without collapsing the helix or creating stress points. I routed several runs in tight ceiling spaces and around mechanicals without violating bend radius guidelines or scuffing adjacent trades’ work. When the route required a protective raceway for a short span, the cable seated cleanly in EMT with listed fittings and pulled without shaving the armor, a common annoyance with rough-edged conduit or old connectors.

For support, I followed typical MC spacing and secured within 12 inches of boxes, which kept the runs straight and professional-looking in exposed corridors. The cable’s profile is low enough that you can keep visible runs tidy without resorting to over-strapping.

Cutting and termination

I cut and stripped the armor with a dedicated MC cutter, then finished with diagonal pliers for the final tag. Using the right tool is non-negotiable here; it prevents nicked insulation and avoids the frayed, birdcaged ends that slow you down at terminations. With proper cuts, the ends were square, the conductors were pristine, and the armor didn’t deform under the connector ferrule.

Terminations were straightforward with common MC connectors and locknuts into steel boxes. I deburred any sharp armor edges and, out of habit, added anti-short bushings at terminations. They aren’t required by code for MC the way they are for AC cable, but some inspectors still like to see them, and they cost pennies. The cable’s print legend on the armor was clear enough for documentation and made identifying the cable type simple during closeout.

Electrical performance and use cases

This is a 600V, 14 AWG, 2-conductor MC cable suited to 15A branch circuits. It’s a natural fit for lighting, receptacles feeding light-duty loads, and controls in commercial and multiresidential work. I used it in both concealed and exposed locations, and where the design called for cable tray, it laid nicely without twist. The cable maintained shape during extended pulls, and I didn’t see conductor insulation scuffing, which I check for religiously when I strip back at terminations.

The strength of MC in projects like this is the time savings compared with pipe-and-wire: fewer steps, fewer separate materials, and less cumulative setup, especially when you’re distributing multiple circuits across a grid of troffers or linear fixtures. The trade-off is less modularity than conduit for future circuit additions and the need to plan penetration points more carefully. For this project scope, MC was the right call.

Durability and protection

Aluminum armor offers solid mechanical protection against incidental contact during construction and day-to-day building operations. I wouldn’t pick it for areas with persistent impact risk or where heavy carts repeatedly cross the path—steel armor or rigid/EMT would be better there—but in standard indoor environments, it’s more than adequate. The armor resisted flattening under typical handling, and staple/strap pressure didn’t distort the helix or telegraph into the conductors.

If you’re routing near rough-cut metal or existing sharp edges, the same rules apply as with any armored cable: protect the path, deburr knockouts, and use listed fittings. Do that, and the cable holds up well.

Code considerations

The cable is labeled for branch, feeder, and service power distribution in the types of occupancies most of us wire daily, and is suitable for both concealed and exposed installations, including cable trays and approved raceways. That covers the majority of indoor work I encounter. I treat 14/2 MC as a go-to for 15A circuits, with the usual attention to support intervals, box fill, connector listings, and the required equipment grounding path within the cable assembly. If your job calls for special environmental ratings (plenum, corrosive atmospheres, or consistent wet locations), confirm the exact listing and conductor ratings for that variant before you commit.

Workflow and speed

What stood out during the retrofit was the install tempo. With this MC, I could measure, cut, and terminate with a predictable rhythm and minimal rework. The coil format helped: I pulled directly from the center, made long continuous runs, and avoided extra mid-span splices. The armor didn’t develop kinks when I changed directions mid-pull, and because the cable is lightweight, overhead work went faster and was less tiring than running comparable steel MC or bending and hanging EMT for equivalent routes.

Labeling circuits on the fly was easy—I kept my standard Brady labels on the conductors and used permanent marker on the armor near junctions; the clear armor legend helps keep your documentation tight for turnover and service later.

What I’d improve

Two things could make it even better. First, an optional reel pack would give installers more choices for longer pulls; coils are fine for 250 ft, but reel payout is even cleaner when you’re feeding multiple simultaneous runs. Second, including a small bag of anti-short bushings and a couple of protective end caps in the coil would be a nice quality-of-life touch for those of us who like to cap ends during breaks to keep dust off the conductors.

Neither is a dealbreaker. The core product—the cable itself—performed the way it should.

Who it’s for

• Commercial and multiresidential electricians running 15A branch circuits for lighting and general-purpose receptacles
• Contractors who prefer MC for speed over pipe-and-wire in standard indoor environments
• Maintenance teams handling tenant improvements where flexible routing and mixed concealed/exposed runs are common

If your project lives in high-abuse zones or needs specialized environmental ratings, you may want a different armor material, a different MC variant, or to stick with conduit for the affected sections.

Bottom line

The Southwire 14/2 MC cable in the 250 ft coil is reliable, easy to work with, and well-suited to the branch-circuit demands of commercial and multiresidential interiors. It feeds cleanly, bends predictably, terminates without drama, and meets the use cases where MC makes sense: concealed and exposed runs, cable tray, and approved raceways, all at a 600V rating that covers typical branch work.

Recommendation: I recommend this cable. It strikes the right balance of protection, flexibility, and install speed for 15A branch circuits, and the coil packaging makes it practical for small to mid-size jobs. If you value clean pulls, predictable terminations, and lighter overhead work compared to steel-armored options, this Armorlite 14/2 MC is a solid pick.