Electrical: Data and

communications cabling and

pathways
#CSEwirecable
Tim Kuhlman, PE, RCDD, CDT
TEECOM, Portland, Ore.
David Wells, RCDD
NV5, Las Vegas

Sponsored by:

Provider number 70118100 1

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4
Learning objectives
Explain the applicable codes and standards: NFPA 70: National
Electrical Code (NEC), and other codes and standards as they
apply to data and communications cabling.
Analyze and compare the differences and similarities among
the cabling support and protection systems including conduit,
cable trays, raceways, and cable routing assemblies.
Assess the firestopping issues associated with the various
cabling support and protection systems including conduit, cable
trays, and raceways.
Outline best practices for applying wiring and cabling support
and protection systems.

5
Now a word from our sponsors

6
Speakers
Presenter:
Tim Kuhlman, PE, RCDD, CDT
Associate Principal
TEECOM, Portland, Ore.

Presenter:
David Wells, RCDD
Director of Telecommunications
NV5, Las Vegas

Moderator:
Jack Smith
Content Manager
Consulting-Specifying Engineer and
Pure Power

7
 Electrical: Data and
communications cabling and
pathways

8
Telecom codes and standards
NFPA 70: National Electrical Code
Article 90: Introduction
Article 100: Definitions
Article 250: Grounding
and bonding
Chapter 3: Wiring
Methods and Materials
Article 300: General
Requirements for Wiring
Methods and Materials
Articles 342-362:
conduits types
Article 392: Cable Trays
Article 645: Information
Technology Equipment
Computer rooms
Article 725: Class 1, Class 2,
and Class 3 Remote-Control,
Signaling and Power Limited
Circuits
Copper data cables for Ethernet
networks, POE, and others
Article 770: Optical Fiber
Cables
Article 800: Communication
Circuits
(Copper circuits extended from
the utility).
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Telecom codes and standards
Telecommunications Industry Association
(TIA) wiring standards
TIA-568 xx: Commercial Building Telecommunications
Cabling Standard Set
TIA-569 Rev D: Telecommunication Pathways and
Spaces
TIA-606 Rev B: Administration Standard for
Telecommunications Infrastructure

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Telecom codes and standards
TIA-607 Rev C: Generic Telecommunications Bonding
and Grounding (Earthing) for Customer Premises
TIA-758 Rev B: Customer-Owned Outside Plant
Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard
TIA-526-7 and TIA-526-14 optical testing for single mode
and multimode fiber.

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Telecom codes and standards
Notes about interpreting codes and standards
The NEC is not easy to interpret. You need to
know the structure and formatting of the code to
know which chapters and articles apply. This
takes time and training.
Standards apply to the manufacturers as well as
designers and system owners.
The definitions within the respective documents
matter and they vary between the codes and
standards.

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NEC: Where to start
Data cabling copper: Article 725
Optical data or communications:
NEC Article 770
Communications copper and OSP copper
Article 800
Note: The NEC defines a communication
circuit as: Communications Circuit. The circuit that extends voice, audio,
video, data, interactive services, telegraph (except radio),
outside wiring for fire alarm and burglar alarm from the
communications utility to the customer's communications
equipment up to and including terminal equipment such as a
telephone, fax machine, or answering machine.

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Telecom codes and standards

& Cat 6a Patch Panel

295/90M Distance
Limitation

(Analog Phone
System)

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Copper distance limitations
100BASE- 1000BASE- 10GBase-
10BASE-T
Designation Copper size T T T
(10 MB)
(100 MB) (1 GB) (10 GB)

Cat-5e 22-26 AWG No

295 Feet / 295 Feet / 295 Feet / 165 Feet /

Cat-6 22-26 AWG
90 Meters 90 Meters 90 Meters 50 Meters

295 Feet /
Cat-6a 22-26 AWG
90 Meters

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Cabling support methods
J-hooks
Cable routing assembly
Cable tray
Conduit
Wireway.

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Cabling support methods
Support methods comparison chart
Support Application Pros Cons
Exposed cabling to outlets Inexpensive Least amount of protection for
J-hooks Flexible for routing cable
Can be easily overloaded and
rarely designed for growth
Mostly used in communication A lot of unique fittings for routing Plastic products are not typically
Cable routing rooms cables to racks plenum rated
assembly Limited use under RAF and
above drop ceilings
Small installations with small More protections than J hooks Limited to small diameters and
Communications number of cables. Cost less than conduit few cables
raceway Looks like innerduct or flexible
ENT
Main pathways Large capacities Less flexible than other pathways
Cable tray Distribution out telecom rooms Can be used to support for routing
raceway and cables.
Good protection
Outlet drops Good protection Higher cost for large number of
Conduit Risers and sleeves cables
Industrial environments Good protection. More expensive than other
Wireway Equipment rooms shared with pathway types
other disciplines. Limited to 20% fill.

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Data and power electromagnetic
interference (EMI) separation
More than
Condition Less than 2 KVA 2 to 5 KVA
5 KVA

Unshielded power lines

in proximity to open 5 in. 12 in. 24 in.
pathways

Unshielded power lines

proximity to grounded 2.5 in. 6 in. 12 in.
metallic pathways

Power lines enclosed in

grounded pathways
Less than 1 in. 3 in. 6 in.
in proximity to grounded
metallic pathways

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IBC: Firestopping
Chapters 7 9 fire resistance and
protection requirements
F rating: The time period that the through-
penetration firestop system limits the spread
of fire.
T rating: The time period that the penetration
firestop system, including the penetration
item, limits the max temp rise to 325F.
L rating: The air leakage through-penetration
firestop system or fire resistance joint.

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Firestopping: key points
Architects will define the rated
assemblies for walls and floors. They will
define the F, T, and L ratings.
Coordinate for the total number of
openings.
Coordinate with FCIAs 07-84-00
firestopping specifications.

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Firestopping: key points
Firestopping is expensive and necessary.
Telecom cable is prone to moves, adds,
and changes (MACs). Select a system that
will not fail or be compromised by MACs.
Firestopping components have to be
installed per their data sheet and UL
classification.
Never mix manufacturers in an assembly.

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Firestopping: key points

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Cabling support methods
Firestopping issues
Support Application Firestop types
Exposed cabling through penetration Putty and sleeve
J-hooks Intumescent muffin
Manufactured sleeve
Routing assembly pass through wall Pillows or intumescent plate
Cable routing assembly Or stop at wall and pass exposed cable Putty and sleeve
Intumescent muffin
Manufactured sleeve
Raceway assembly pass through wall or Putty and sleeve
Communications floor Manufactured sleeve
raceway
Cable tray pass through wall Pillows or intumescent plate
Cable tray Or stop at wall and pass exposed cable Manufactured sleeve

Conduit pass through wall or floor Putty or intumescent plate

Conduit
Wireway pass through wall. Pillows
Wireway Intumescent plate
Putty.

23
Summary of best practices
Follow the code. This is what you have to
do.
Follow the standards. This is what others
are expecting you to do.
Seek out industry design guides and
training such as through BICSI and NECA.
Talk with your client to understand how the
system will be used.
Growth, expansion, how often it will change.

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Summary of best practices
Talk with the manufacturers to understand
how the products are intend to be used.
Apprentice with an experienced engineer
and designer that understand the system.

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Can also access from www.csemag.com home page

26
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Speakers
Presenter:
Tim Kuhlman, PE, RCDD, CDT
Associate Principal
TEECOM, Portland, Ore.

Presenter:
David Wells, RCDD
Director of Telecommunications
NV5, Las Vegas

Moderator:
Jack Smith
Content Manager
Consulting-Specifying Engineer and
Pure Power

28
 Electrical: Data and
communications cabling and
pathways
#CSEwirecable
Tim Kuhlman, PE, RCDD, CDT
TEECOM, Portland, Ore.
David Wells, RCDD
NV5, Las Vegas

Sponsored by:

Provider number 70118100 29