Using Old Shielded Cable to Feed Receptacles & Lights in Renovation

[Jimt1000]

We demolished an old second kitchen area in a 1960’s built house and have converted that space to an outdoor covered porch. There was an old fryer there originally that was 240V and had a 240 receptacle connected to a shielded cable with two 6 gauge aluminum conductors. Back at the main panel the two 6 gauge conductors connect to a double pole 40A breaker and the shielding from the cable is twisted tight and connected to the neutral bus bar which is bonded to the ground bus bar.

In the converted new covered porch area I will have 4 GFCI receptacles, 3 ceiling fans, and several LED ceiling lights. I would like to use the two 6 gauge conductors as my hot legs for the receptacles, fans, and lights.

Can I terminate the shielded cable in a metal jbox over the porch in the attic space and then connect in the jbox my 12/2 romex cables to the lights, receptacles, and fans using the two 6 gauge conductors as my hot legs and using the shielding of the cable to connect to my bare ground and neutral wires from the romex cables? I would also replace the 40A double pole in the panel with two single pole breakers. I would also bond the metal jbox with the shielding.

Does the NEC allow reuse of existing old shielded cables whereby the grounds and neutrals of fixtures are both connected to the shielding provided the shielding is connected to the ground and neutral bus bars at the panel? Any other issues to be noted?

I’m trying not to run new cable or wire to this location. Your input and guidance is appreciated.

 

[Dagny]

No. Is it impossible to run new wires? There is a way to use one circuit out of it but it would be a hack job.

 

[mike93lx]

You have two hots and a neutral and you want to use it for two 120v circuits... So no ground.

Nope, tear it out, throw it away and run a MWBC with 12-3. That is the complaint, safe and correct way to do what you want

 

[Bert_]

You have SE cable. Don't call it shielded, it's confusing.

You could reuse it as a SINGLE circuit. Sometimes we do this when converting from an electric stove to a gas one.

You will need a big enough junction box that must remain accessible. You will also need connectors that work with aluminum wire.

Unless it's extremely difficult to run a new wire I would not reuse it.

 

[Max]

1960s Al wire - what could go wrong? This is the Al alloy that did have fire issues.

If that isn’t enough for you, Mike and Bert are 100% correct. Not having a ground wire will expose you to the risk of shock or electrocution if there is a short or miswire on one of your devices.

 

[Jimt1000]

Thanks for all the comments! I’m convinced! I’ll junk the old cable and run all new 12/3 with ground. Thanks again for the input.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Repurposing 60s aluminum wire?

Hell no… rip it out and run 12/3 on a double pole 20a…

 

[mm08822]

Run either 2 12-2 Rx or 1 12-3 Rx. 2 cables will allow for 2 independent circuits.
Do you even need 2 circuits?

 

[Jimt1000]

Thanks for the input. Yes, I want two independent circuits because I'm going to leave one dead end circuit in a box marked for future use. It's always handy to have an extra circuit already run up to the attic for future needs.

I'm going to run two 12-3 Rx cables and put them on two double pole 20a breakers at the panel. Easily done, I hope. This will give me the supply I need for the lights, fans, and receptacles in the renovation as well as provide me with two spare 20a future circuits in the attic for whatever may be needed in the future.