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#50024 03/22/05 08:45 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 257
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I am working on the site of a new sewage plant. There are several man holes, hand holes and pull boxes where security, phone, PA system, 480V feeders, 120V control wiring and other 480V circuits share the same enclosure with no divider. The runs were designed this way by the electrical engineer. When we questioned the engineer on the issue of code compliance he said that because it was an industrial installation that it was OK. What do you think?

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 38
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I don't think there is anything in the NEC prohibiting mixing current-carrying and signal cables or conductors. However, there will be noise from the current-carrying conductors that could (will) interfere with the signal cables. I'd tell the EE to try again.


Dolphins Software
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,876
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e57 Offline
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It's OK anyway! Only requirement is that "System" is identified.

Br-Or-Ye-GRAY or HA-HB-HC-HN

Bk-Rd-Bl-WHITE or LA-LB-LC-LN

Quote
200.6(D) Grounded Conductors of Different Systems.

Where conductors of different systems are installed in the same raceway, cable, box, auxiliary gutter, or other type of enclosure, one system grounded conductor, if required, shall have an outer covering conforming to 200.6(A) or 200.6(B). Each other system grounded conductor shall have an outer covering of white with a readily distinguishable, different colored stripe other than green running along the insulation, or shall have other and different means of identification as allowed by 200.6(A) or (B) that will distinguish each system grounded conductor.


Commentary:
The requirements found in 200.6(D) are essentially the same since the 1987 edition of the NEC. However, these requirements are often misapplied. As Exhibit 200.2 shows, if grounded conductors of different systems are present in the same enclosure, these grounded conductors must be distinguishable, such as by different colors. Careful study of 200.6(D) reveals what Exhibit 200.2 shows, that is, where one system uses a white or gray insulation for the grounded conductor, the other system must use an identification different from the color selected for the first system colored insulation. For example, where one system uses white for the grounded conductor, the second system must use a different color or marking such as gray or white with a stripe.

And,
210.4(D) Identification of Ungrounded Conductors.

Where more than one nominal voltage system exists in a building, each ungrounded conductor of a multiwire branch circuit, where accessible, shall be identified by phase and system. This means of identification shall be permitted to be by separate color coding, marking tape, tagging, or other approved means and shall be permanently posted at each branch-circuit panelboard.



[This message has been edited by e57 (edited 03-22-2005).]


Mark Heller
"Well - I oughta....." -Jackie Gleason
Joined: May 2003
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e57 Offline
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Doh, I missed the part with PA, security and phone, thats NOT cool...... Not safe either. Phone could carry 480 outside the facility.

Only Power-limited fire alarm from what I can see off the top of my head can do this in limited situations.

As for the Industrial situation.... Unless the site is exempt somehow from building codes. There are a few types of industry that are, others can tell you what they are.

[This message has been edited by e57 (edited 03-22-2005).]


Mark Heller
"Well - I oughta....." -Jackie Gleason
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,148
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Quote
I don't think there is anything in the NEC prohibiting mixing current-carrying and signal cables or conductors.
See 800.52(A)(1).


Don(resqcapt19)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 75
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I don't have my code book handy to reference the correct section #, but isn't there a requirement that all conductors in a raceway must have the same insulation or voltage rating.

This generally prevents pulling a Beldon-style communication cable in the same conduit with THHN, THW, etc.

None of this may apply in manholes though.

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 119
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Quote
National Electrical Code, NFPA 70-2002 (Emphasis added)
ARTICLE 800 Communications Circuits
800.52 Installation of Communications Wires, Cables, and Equipment.
Communications wires and cables from the protector to the equipment or, where no protector is required, communications wires and cables attached to the outside or inside of the building shall comply with 800.52(A) through (E).
(A) Separation from Other Conductors.
(1) In Raceways, Boxes, and Cables.
(c) Electric Light, Power, Class 1, Non–Power-Limited Fire Alarm, and Medium Power Network-Powered Broadband Communications Circuits in Raceways, Compartments, and Boxes. Communications conductors shall not be placed in any raceway, compartment, outlet box, junction box, or similar fitting with conductors of electric light, power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm or medium power network-powered broadband communications circuits.

Brooke Stauffer of NECA has also written an article on this topic for NFPA called, "You Gotta Keep 'Em Separated". If I can find it on the NFPA website I'll post a link.

[This message has been edited by safetygem (edited 03-23-2005).]

Joined: Jan 2002
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OK. Well I looked and it appears the Brooke Stauffer article is not currently available on the web.

Here is the full title:
YOU GOTTA KEEP ‘EM SEPARATED:
For Safety and Performance Sake, Line Voltage
and Low Voltage Systems Must Be Kept
Separate. Here's Why and How.

The article was in the September 2000 issue of the NECDigest. If you are interested and you contact NFPA customer service (1-800-344-3555) they may send you a copy.

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 119
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OK... now onto a new comment.

master66, is this WWTP an aerobic plant or an anaerobic plant? The reason I'm asking is that you mentioned the presence of "several man holes" on the site.

Typically at a plant of the anaerobic design, many of the below grade spaces will be classified. You should thoroughly review NFPA 820, Fire Protection in Wastewater Treatment and Collection Facilities for all of the wiring requirements in the facility.

Now granted I hope the electrical engineer reviewed this standard, but, it has been my experience that they usually don't even know about it. [Linked Image]

Just something to consider. If you have any questions, about 820, feel free to post and I'll see if I can answer them.

[This message has been edited by safetygem (edited 03-23-2005).]

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 257
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safetygem, What is the difference between the two types of wwtp that you mentioned?

To everyone else, thank you for your comments.

My supervisor & I were talking about this subject again today and he mentioned that our company is bidding on another wwtp with the same design (mixing low voltage & communications with power wiring) and it is by a different engineer. He also said that the engineer referred him to a publication that allows this at a wwtp. I intended to find out what the publication was before I left today but I forgot. I"ll try to remember for Monday.

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