In a noncritical area, how many broken wires may be present per inch in a 7x7 cable?

In a noncritical area, how many broken wires may be present per inch in a 7x7 cable?

• A. 2
• B. 6
• C. 3
• D. 4

Answer: (C)

In a noncritical area, a 7x7 cable may have up to three broken wires per inch. A 7x7 conductor consists of 49 individual wires arranged in seven strands of seven wires each, so a few broken wires don’t immediately reduce current-carrying capability or compromise the conductor’s integrity. Limiting damage to three broken wires per inch keeps enough live strands and maintains electrical and mechanical reliability. If you see more than three broken wires in any one-inch section, the cable should be replaced. The other numbers exceed or don’t reflect the maximum allowed, but the standard’s limit for this scenario is three. In critical areas the limit would be stricter.

In a noncritical area, a 7x7 cable may have up to three broken wires per inch. A 7x7 conductor consists of 49 individual wires arranged in seven strands of seven wires each, so a few broken wires don’t immediately reduce current-carrying capability or compromise the conductor’s integrity. Limiting damage to three broken wires per inch keeps enough live strands and maintains electrical and mechanical reliability. If you see more than three broken wires in any one-inch section, the cable should be replaced. The other numbers exceed or don’t reflect the maximum allowed, but the standard’s limit for this scenario is three. In critical areas the limit would be stricter.