cat 5 by floursent lights

[csnmedic]

can i run cat 5 close to floursent lights and is there some where i can find the exact standard and request.

 

[daronwilson]

I've always said 18" from any flourescent fixture, but I'll have to dig to see if I can back that up with a standard. In suspended ceilings we just make sure to not choose a path that puts us directly over a fixture with our data run. Of course, sometimes it is not avoidable, and you just must be closer than 18". Keep in mind the data cabling system is pretty robust, so it will often tolerate a few things like this. Someone else may have a standards reference for you before I find mine.

Good Luck!

It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com

 

[jimbopalmer]

First I do not think there is anything 'magical' about flourescent lights, in fact I suspect it is really flourescent ballasts we are all trying to avoid, just as we would avoid motors, transformers or even running right next to any power for very long runs. any time copper wire cuts through a magnetic field, expect eddy currents.

That said, ethernet is designed not to be as sensitive to disruptions (differential signalling) but it is still important not to tempt your wiring to misbehave

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[Servamatic]

Since a fluorescent ballast is an auto-transformer putting out roughly 600 volts, yes, you should stay away from them.

You won't find distances in the standards any more, they were in the TIA/EIA 569 but when the TIA/EIA 569-A came out the distances were dropped.

Most cable manufacturers that I have spoken with generally say 12" minimum separation, which is what BICSI recommends.

The NEC (code) doesn't give any direction here, since it states 2" minimum separation unless you have a physical barrier, which the fixture housing would be, but remember the code is for safety and the standards are for performance.

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.smartbuilthomes.com

 

[buitenhek]

I support the 12" - 18" minimums. If you must cross a fixture, do it at a 90 degree angle (perpendicular) to the length of light to reduce the amount of cable subject to the EMI.

By the way, we did a test with CAT5 (BerkTek) cable many years ago. We tested a 152' cable that had parts wrapped around a fluorescent light, an electric drill, a vacuum cleaner and hung over a door (with a fat guy creasing the cable)... it still passed CAT5! Yes the light was on, the drill was running and the vacuum sucked. I sent BerkTek a wow-letter after we tested the same cable with 2 different testers and got the same pass. The AMP cable failed. Although the robustness of the copper cable design is not what it used to be (i.e., better electrical conductive properties with less copper), try your own test to see your own amazing results.

Regards,
Peter Buitenhek