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#183847 01/24/09 01:20 AM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
G
Member
Can someone give me a definition of "Communication" wiring? What would it encompass? I'm not talking about a dictionary definition, I want to know for the sake of scope of work performed by a communication wiring installer.


George Little
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 853
L
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Best i can find: NEC 100:

Communication equipment.
That should entail the conductors/cables for that equipment.

Telecommunication cables for-Audio,video and data. Including Computer cabling.
Converters,Inverters and batteries.(With in their communication enclosures. (My add))

So, IMO, Audio,video and data. MILIVOLTS only (or what ever that stuff runs on.

No power UNLESS the individual AND the Company are licensed for that.

My MGR is always asking If I can this or that.... I reply 'Yes'... But not for you (around the office, ok. but not at a customers site).I will come in this weekend and you can pay 'MY' Co.. They are a licensed/certified ALARM co. Not Electrical.
Massachusetts laws are VERY clear on this.

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
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G
Member
I think this is ultimately in the eye of the beholder. In general terms I would say almost anything but fire alarms and "power" circuits. It is hard to limit this by voltage or current. A garden variety POTS phone is over 100 volts when it is ringing and speaker wires in a concert situation will have lots of amps (peak current).
You also see lots of volts and amps in a radio transmitter but the FCC licenses those guys.


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Jan 2005
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Communication wiring installer?

Except for, perhaps, up to ten feet of pipe to provide power to his equipment, I'd expect the installer to pretty much limit himself to Cat 5 and Coax (or similar wire types). MAYBE speaker wire.

Now, if the installer represented a particular product ... Muzak, some intercom line, etc., I'd expect him to have the materials unique to those products.

If his work moved him into materials and methods not commonly used - such as running pipe - I'd pay particular attention to the work performed. "Specialty" contractors seem to limit their code compliance to their specific few paragraphs frown

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 853
L
Member
Heck, Let them run all the conduit they want. Just adhere to the NEC. 0 feet to provide power,unless both (individual and Co.) are licensed to do so.

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
G
Member
Thank You Gentlemen, that's what I wanted to hear. We are not limiting it to Article 800 in the NEC. We are including computer network wiring, A/V wiring and a host of other wiring as long as it's not Fire Alarm, or Power Wiring.


George Little
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 853
L
Member
Communication wiring still requires a permit, most 'forget' this.
It also must be installed according to chapter 3.
Most tend to 'Forget' this too.

..Fire dampers aren't raceways.Fire walls and stops must be repaired......... sorry I Digress.......Again! smile

Joined: Jul 2002
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Wow!,
Tough audience.
I bet there might be a "Communications Installers" forum somewhere in cyber-space asking "could someone please define "Electric" work? grin

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
G
Member
I would be remiss if I didn't say that communication wiring doesn't need to be installed according to Chapter 3 unless the pertinent Article covering communication wiring refers us back to Chapter 3. For example Chapter 8 is communication wiring and it is "stand alone" type article and there are things that are installed differently in Chapter 8 than they would be if we used Chapter 3.


George Little
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 853
L
Member
My intentions were to note that the cables and conduits in regards to supports etc. fall under this chapter. And of course Chapter 8 dictates.


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