How to suspend a single cable above ceiling tiles? 1

[Miiike]

Hello All,

I have a situation where I have to run a single CAT 5e line 150m above ceiling tiles. There are also a variety of end points coming off of a bundle that have to extend 20 feet to the wall they are terminated in.
I understand using J hooks, but that seems more oriented toward a bundle of cables. Maybe I'm wrong(?)
What is the right way to suspend a single cable above (not on) ceiling tiles?

 

[bdk76]

Go for the structural steel or steel trusses if you can, that will keep it off the grid and tiles. Alternatively tywrap or use Caddy Cat12s with the rod/wire clip, to hang the cable from the drop ceiling support wires.

Caddy CAT12 3/4in J-Hook with 4Z34 clip

https://www.erico.com/part.asp?part=CAT124Z34&applications=datacom#

 

[Professor Shadow]

Generally, AHJ's will never allow cables to be attached to the same grid wire used for supporting the grid or any device that is NOT electrical in nature, e.g, plumbing, duct work et cetera. You must use your own support wires. Cat 12's [as stated above] are great and made for cases such as what you are describing. Remember not to exceed the length between supports.

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[racerTT]

Can you use Tie Mounts ?

 

[Professor Shadow]

As long as they are mounted to building structure. Are you sure that only one cable will be used and in the future you won't be adding another cable and then another?

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"Thank you for calling Technical Support. If you feel you have reached this number in error, please hang up and try again." ~Jane Barbe

 

[Wanebo]

The maximum length you can run Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a cable is 100 meters. At 150 meters your cable will no longer qualify as being CAT5.

That said I would try to use building structure.

 

[Professor Shadow]

I reading your other posts regarding "starting a new cabling business" and "weekend work" I can only advise hiring a good worker that knows NEC and is licensed, if required in your area. Your question could be answered by an first term apprentice so I recommend reading up on ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-B as a starting point. Do you know when it is required to use CMP?

Found here also, also B.1

You also have AHJ that may over rules anything you might read in these documents and the NFPA 70. If the previous sentence 'doesn't make sense" then you are well over your head.

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"Thank you for calling Technical Support. If you feel you have reached this number in error, please hang up and try again." ~Jane Barbe

 

[Miiike]

Thanks to bdk76.
racerIT-I was considering that but I don't know yet. Thanks.
Wanebo-I misspoke (or mistyped haha) I meant feet, not meters. Thank you.
Professor Shadow- Thank you for your thoughtful input. I do appreciate it. CMP is required when the open space in the ceiling, usually above ceiling tiles, but not always, is used to move air throughout a building. It does not apply to directly vented systems that happen to be in a ceiling space. That being said, I prefer to use it regardless. I had a client with a small office in a professional building. The ceiling space was maybe 8", a true plenum space and stuffed with pink insulation batting because the building manager wanted "to make it quiet between the floors".
I tried Hitachi CMP and didn't like it. Kinked up too easily. I switched to ICC and I like it much better.
I am not an electrician nor do I believe one needs to be an electrician to install low voltage cabling and devices but I do understand that NEC rules are not optional. T568B doesn't address the specific question I asked. I asked here because I cant find an answer.
My concern is quoting prices with (expensive?) J hooks for a single line. We've used loose zip ties in certain situations for single lines. I am looking for a better solution that might not cost as much as J-Hooks.
I'm here to find advice from knowledgeable people like yourself, so I can learn to do these things the right way. Thank you for the links.

 

[Professor Shadow]

I am not an electrician nor do I believe one needs to be an electrician to install low voltage cabling and devices.

Best to be 100% certain. Check this page to be sure. However some State don't have requirements while ares within the State do. Oregon, for example has two Limited Energy licences LEA and LEB. An LEA can work on Life Safety (fire alarm et cetera) whereas LEB cannot. NOTE: LEB licences are no longer obtainable in Oregon.

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"Thank you for calling Technical Support. If you feel you have reached this number in error, please hang up and try again." ~Jane Barbe