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#114733 06/20/03 05:26 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,682
Likes: 3
Admin Offline OP
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[Linked Image]
Quote
The security company installing cameras on these light poles claim that this is OK, however, I don't agree. Do you?

(BTW, this method has passed inspection in several different jurisdictions)
...S
(Electure)

#114734 06/20/03 07:28 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Member
Electure,
Is that Cat-5 wire hooked up to them 120V wires?. [Linked Image]
I would condemn anything I saw like this!.

#114735 06/20/03 09:41 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 806
N
Member
Is the Cat5 connected to the power wiring, or just spliced with wirenuts?

#114736 06/21/03 01:27 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,527
B
Moderator
If the column is considered a raceway, wireway, junction or pull box, them the cat-fivers ought to be busted! Codes seem fairly unambiguous on that.

#114737 06/21/03 01:48 AM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Member
I was under the impression that different services had to be segregated!.
Over here in NZ, you are not allowed to run a Cat5 wire within 50mm(2") of any mains cable.
How is it in the US?. [Linked Image]

#114738 06/21/03 02:54 PM
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 228
J
Member
As an installer for security systems, CCTV included, this is more common than you think. I have never installed LV cables inside a lamp post myself but I have done plenty service calls where they run some THWN inside the pole up to an external transformer for the camera power and in the same pole run the coax and any communications to the camera. The right way to do it is to run the electric up the outside of the pole in conduit and the coax and data wires inside the pole, less conduit fill issues with THWN than four coax cables and a couple comm cables. I have also seen poles that had two raceways inside them, or a divider up the center to avoid these situations.

Jim

#114739 06/21/03 03:11 PM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 300
M
Member
I just installed two video cameras on the top of light poles just like this one.

One was right next to the front door and we did not want to have exposed conduit on the pole because it looks too "industrial". So we put a box on the bottom of the pole, one at the top near the camera, and ran greenfield up the inside of the pole with a 90 on each end which terminated in the boxes.

The coax and LV went inside the greenfield.

On the other pole, out in the parking lot, we just ran PVC conduit up the outside.

#114740 06/23/03 01:21 AM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,081
T
Member
It is unfortunate that a brand-new installation is starting off this way... It wouldn't take all that much to have it code-compliant and would make it more safe, reliable, etc.

#114741 06/23/03 10:40 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,527
B
Moderator
One of these days a "security" technician will get a nice 277V poke from one of his 24AWG wires. Then, let all the finger-pointing and lawsuits begin!

#114742 06/24/03 10:34 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,081
T
Member
Ah, but it will be a Cat-V 277V...all of those extra twists will slow down the electric.

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