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how to cut bx cable<\/p><\/div>\\n<\/p>\n
Whether you’re a DIY homeowner or a professional electrician, this guide shows you the best way to cut BX cable<\/strong>, with or without specialty tools, while avoiding damage to the internal conductors.<\/p>\n \\n\\n\\n<\/p>\n \\n<\/p>\n BX cable (aka AC cable) includes:<\/p>\n \\n\\n<\/p>\n A flexible spiral metal armor sheath<\/strong> (usually steel or aluminum)<\/p>\n \\n<\/li>\n \\n \\t<\/p>\n Insulated conductors<\/strong> (typically black, white, and ground)<\/p>\n \\n<\/li>\n \\n \\t<\/p>\n Often includes a bonding strip or wire<\/strong> in contact with the metal armor<\/p>\n \\n<\/li>\n \\n<\/ul>\n \\n<\/p>\n Unlike MC (Metal-Clad) cable, BX does not<\/strong> have a full-sized ground wire; instead, the armor and bonding strip together serve as the grounding path.<\/p>\n \\n\\n\\n<\/p>\n \\n<\/p>\n \\n<\/p>\n BX Cable Cutter<\/strong> (like a Roto-Split or Armor Edge tool) \\n<\/li>\n \\n<\/ul>\n \\n<\/p>\n \\n<\/p>\n Hacksaw or rotary tool<\/strong> (e.g., Dremel)<\/p>\n \\n<\/li>\n \\n \\t<\/p>\n Lineman\u2019s pliers<\/strong> or side cutters<\/strong><\/p>\n \\n<\/li>\n \\n \\t<\/p>\n Utility knife<\/strong> (for any wrap inside)<\/p>\n \\n<\/li>\n \\n \\t<\/p>\n Metal file<\/strong> (to smooth edges)<\/p>\n \\n<\/li>\n \\n \\t<\/p>\n Anti-short bushing<\/strong> (especially for older BX without bonding strip)<\/p>\n \\n<\/li>\n \\n<\/ul>\n \\n\\n<\/p>\n \\n<\/p>\n \\n<\/p>\n Measure how much jacket you need to remove (typically 6\u20138 inches), and mark the spot with a Sharpie or tape.<\/p>\n \\n\\n<\/p>\n \\n<\/p>\n Feed the cable into your BX cutter, aligning the blade with the mark.<\/p>\n \\n\\n<\/p>\n \\n<\/p>\n Turn the handle to rotate the cutting blade around the armor. You\u2019ll feel it getting easier as the cut completes.<\/p>\n \\n\\n<\/p>\n \\n<\/p>\n Bend the cable slightly at the cut point, and the armor should snap<\/strong> cleanly. Use pliers to twist off the end.<\/p>\n \\n\\n<\/p>\n \\n<\/p>\n Ensure the bonding strip<\/strong> or conductor insulation isn’t damaged.<\/p>\n \\n<\/li>\n \\n \\t<\/p>\n Cut back and retry if you nick the wire.<\/p>\n \\n<\/li>\n \\n<\/ul>\n \\n<\/p>\n \\n<\/p>\n Insert a red plastic bushing into the cut end to prevent sharp metal edges from damaging insulation.<\/p>\n \\n\\n\\n<\/p>\n \\n<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have a BX cutter, use this manual method with care:<\/p>\n \\n\\n<\/p>\n Score the Armor<\/strong> \\n<\/li>\n \\n \\t<\/p>\n Bend and Snap<\/strong> \\n<\/li>\n \\n \\t<\/p>\n Twist Off Armor<\/strong> \\n<\/li>\n \\n \\t<\/p>\n Deburr and Bushing<\/strong> \\n<\/li>\n \\n<\/ol>\n \\n\\n<\/p>\n \\n<\/p>\n Always wear gloves and safety glasses.<\/strong> The cut metal edges are very sharp.<\/p>\n \\n<\/li>\n \\n \\t<\/p>\n Avoid overcutting.<\/strong> Even a small nick on insulation requires restarting.<\/p>\n \\n<\/li>\n \\n \\t<\/p>\n Use a flashlight.<\/strong> It helps inspect if the bonding wire is intact.<\/p>\n \\n<\/li>\n \\n<\/ul>\n \\n\\n<\/p>\n \\n<\/p>\n Q: Can I use a regular wire cutter to cut BX?<\/strong> \\n<\/p>\n Q: What\u2019s the difference between BX and MC cable?<\/strong> \\n<\/p>\n Q: Do I need an anti-short bushing?<\/strong> \\n\\n\\n<\/p>\n \\n<\/p>\n Cutting BX cable doesn\u2019t have to be a frustrating or risky process. With the right tool\u2014or even with careful manual techniques\u2014you can achieve clean, safe cuts in minutes.<\/p>\n \\n\\n<\/p>\n \\n<\/p>\n Want smoother, faster installations? Invest in a BX cable cutter<\/strong> and always check for internal wire damage before connecting.<\/p>\n \\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n “}]}],”section_settings”:””},”scripts”:{},”css”:{},”css_page”:””,”template_setting”:{“settings”:{“id”:”settings”}},”template_setting_top”:{},”page_setting”:{“settings”:[“lock-mode-off”]},”post_type_setting”:{“settings”:{“image”:”https:\/\/totcables.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/how-to-cut-bx-cable.jpg|498|500|10310″,”excerpt”:”BX cable, also known as armored cable (AC) or metal-sheathed cable, is widely used in residential and commercial wiring for its durability and grounding properties. But cutting BX cable can be tricky without the proper method or tools.”,”extra_1″:””,”extra_2″:””,”icon”:{“icon”:””,”icon_style”:””,”icon_image”:””}}}}<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" {“main-title”:{“component”:”hc_title”,”id”:”main-title”,”title”:””,”subtitle”:”BX cable, also known as armored cable (AC) or metal-sheathed cable, is widely used in residential and commercial wiring for its durability and grounding properties. But cutting BX cable can be tricky without the proper method or tools.”,”title_content”:{“component”:”hc_title_image”,”id”:”title-image”,”image”:”https:\/\/totcables.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/how-to-cut-bx-cable.jpg|498|500|10310″,”full_screen”:false,”full_screen_height”:””,”parallax”:false,”bleed”:””,”ken_burn”:””,”overlay”:”transparent-dark”,”breadcrumbs”:true,”white”:true,”position”:””}},”section_5ZtkF”:{“component”:”hc_section”,”id”:”section_5ZtkF”,”section_width”:””,”animation”:””,”animation_time”:””,”timeline_animation”:””,”timeline_delay”:””,”timeline_order”:””,”vertical_row”:””,”box_middle”:””,”css_classes”:””,”custom_css_classes”:””,”custom_css_styles”:””,”section_content”:[{“component”:”hc_column”,”id”:”column_vtfQF”,”column_width”:”col-md-12″,”animation”:””,”animation_time”:””,”timeline_animation”:””,”timeline_delay”:””,”timeline_order”:””,”css_classes”:””,”custom_css_classes”:””,”custom_css_styles”:””,”main_content”:[{“component”:”hc_wp_editor”,”id”:”Xhugf”,”css_classes”:””,”custom_css_classes”:””,”custom_css_styles”:””,”editor_content”:” BX cable, also known as armored cable (AC) or metal-sheathed cable, is widely used in residential and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10310,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10309","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\\n\\n<\/p>\n\ud83e\uddf0 What Is BX Cable?<\/h2>\n
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\\n\\n<\/p>\n\u2699\ufe0f Tools Needed<\/h2>\n
Best Option (Recommended):<\/h3>\n
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\u27a4 Fastest and safest method<\/p>\nAlternative Tools:<\/h3>\n
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\\n\\n<\/p>\n\u2702\ufe0f How to Cut BX Cable (Step-by-Step)<\/h2>\n
Step 1: Measure and Mark<\/h3>\n
Step 2: Insert Into the Cutter<\/h3>\n
Step 3: Rotate to Score<\/h3>\n
Step 4: Snap and Remove<\/h3>\n
Step 5: Trim and Inspect<\/h3>\n
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Step 6: Install Anti-Short Bushing (Optional but Recommended)<\/h3>\n
\\n\\n<\/p>\n\ud83d\udd27 How to Cut BX Cable Without a Tool<\/h2>\n
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Use a hacksaw or Dremel to lightly cut around the armor.
\u26a0\ufe0f Don\u2019t cut too deep\u2014you might damage the wires.<\/p>\n
Flex the cable to open the scored seam.<\/p>\n
Use pliers to remove the outer metal sheath.<\/p>\n
Smooth sharp edges with a file and add a bushing for safety.<\/p>\n
\\n\\n<\/p>\n\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f Pro Tips<\/h2>\n
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\\n\\n<\/p>\n\ud83e\udde0 FAQ: Common BX Cutting Questions<\/h2>\n
A:<\/strong> No\u2014standard cutters will dull quickly and may crush the cable rather than cut it. Use a proper BX cutter.<\/p>\n
A:<\/strong> MC has a dedicated ground wire inside; BX uses the metal armor plus a bonding strip as the ground path.<\/p>\n
A:<\/strong> Most BX installations benefit from one, especially older cables without clear bonding strips.<\/p>\n
\\n\\n<\/p>\n\u2705 Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n