cubicles and cabling 2

[crooter]

I was assisting a project where cable was run into the bottom raceway of cubicles---the cable (cat6) was run parrallel with the power strips that are provided for to the cubicle power also in the raceway----the lead said that the external boxes I was attaching must be a minimum of 4" from any electrical boxes--he said that is standard and per code----the cutouts on the raceway panel were 2 inches from the electrical outlet and I know I have seen these used for data and voice----I am not sure if that is correct or not---anyone got any insite?

Thanks

 

[SYQUEST]

What brand/model of cubicles are they?

What "code" section is he refering to, NEC or some local jurisdiction?

Are the power strips provided by the manufacturer?


....JIM....

 

[crooter]

I dont know what kind of cubicles they are--the code he is referring to is the Tia/Eia cabling code I am presuming---because I dont think there is anything in the NEC that says you can not put data or voice cables within 4 inches of an electrical outlet.........the power strips are what comes inside the cubicles to connect the power at the cubicle closest to the wall and piggy back the rest of the cubicles.

 

[skip555]

Tia/Eia is a standard , not a code
Code must be followed
Standard should be followed
big diffrence

the cubicle situation isnt Ideal but it works just fine

 

[crooter]

Thanks for the clarification---is there a answer? Is there anything that states that data plates and jacks must be further than 4 inches from electrical outlets?

 

[mikeydidit]

Common sense comes into play here. EMI is one of the largest problems with data cabling. I don't like the way most modular furniture lays out the voice/data and power within the same area. On some of the better stuff I have seen dividers, which help. The best practice is to keep your cabling away from sources of EMI “if” possible.

Like Skip mentioned these are standards not codes but they are in place to help avoid pulling in cabling that doesn't work and to standardize cabling layouts and terminations.

"You don't stop playing because you get old. You get old because you stopped playing."

 

[ravnz5]

I have cabled many cubicle setups, and I agree that the standard for the separation of electrical and low voltage to 4 0r more inches should be followed whenever possible. However; in the cubicle raceways it is virtually impossible to follow this standard. I have had great success with cubicle cabling and I think you'll find that you won't have any problems with the equipment that is interfaced with your jacks.

We all need a little help once in awhile. Tony the Phoneman..

 

[crooter]

All great answers concerning the situation, but the answer I am looking for, -----Is there anything in writing, in a code, or in a standard, or even a rule, that states the distance that Data jacks must be from electrical outlets when terminated onto jacks and locked into a faceplate that is secured to a wall or modular furniture panel.

I know what common sense dictates, and I know good practices, I even know that sometimes you may have to use a little fairy dust to help solve a location problem---and all that being said--is there a set distance in writing?

Thanks

 

[CiscoGuy33]

crooter,

Here is a section from -

ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A

Power Separation
Co-installation of telecommunications cable and power
cable is governed by applicable electrical code for safety.
In addition, the following precautions should be considered
in order to reduce noise coupling from sources such
as electrical power wiring, radio frequency (RF) sources,
large motors and generators, induction heaters, and arc
welders;
• Increased physical separation
• Electrical branch circuit line, neutral, and grounding
conductors should be maintained close together
(e.g., twisted, sheathed, taped, or bundled together)
for minimizing inductive coupling into
telecommunications cabling
• Use of surge protectors in branch circuits can further
limit the propagation of electrical surges.
Use of fully enclosed, grounded metallic raceway or
grounded conduit or use of cable installed close to a
grounded metallic surface will also limit inductive noise
coupling.

I am sure if you looked at the entire ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-A you might find exactly what you are looking for.

Hope this helps!


E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[SYQUEST]

One of the best ways to minimize interference in electrical and electronic apparatus is to maintain proper BONDING & GROUNDING per NEC!

So the electrical distribution in the cubicle system should have solid connections. The flex or conduit when properly BONDED & GROUNDED can act as a shield and keep stuff contained where it belongs.

....JIM....

 

[aarenot]

if running the data and voice cable through long strecthes of cubicles. install 'power poles' for the data cable to come down out of the drop ceiling. it keeps it away from a long run next to the power, and also keeps the raceway from getting jammed full of cables, so the cables are jammed next to power. start with the power poles toward the free end, meaning the end that is farthest from the power entry point into the cubes. then they run next to each other less.

more work, but worth it if you have a lot of cubes in a row.



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