ECN Forum
Posted By: George Little Communication Wiring - 01/24/09 05:20 AM
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.
Posted By: leland Re: Communication Wiring - 01/24/09 06:28 AM
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.
Posted By: gfretwell Re: Communication Wiring - 01/24/09 06:54 PM
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.
Posted By: renosteinke Re: Communication Wiring - 01/24/09 07:16 PM
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
Posted By: leland Re: Communication Wiring - 01/24/09 09:21 PM
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.
Posted By: George Little Re: Communication Wiring - 01/25/09 12:40 AM
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.
Posted By: leland Re: Communication Wiring - 01/25/09 01:42 AM
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
Posted By: Trumpy Re: Communication Wiring - 01/25/09 02:16 AM
Wow!,
Tough audience.
I bet there might be a "Communications Installers" forum somewhere in cyber-space asking "could someone please define "Electric" work? grin
Posted By: George Little Re: Communication Wiring - 01/25/09 04:02 AM
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.
Posted By: leland Re: Communication Wiring - 01/25/09 05:30 AM
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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