Wiring 1

[DaveThePhoneDoctorLV]

I am interested in what your opinion is regarding wiring within the cavity of walls and ceilings.

I am reviewing my states construction and fire laws regarding different types of voice and data wiring and installation of jack and outlets.

What are thoughts regarding this. Do you insist on conduit for all your installation or do you simply run surface mounted and ceiling cable etc..

 

[SYQUEST]

Each job site is different, so things can vary from site to site, but following the NEC article 800 should provide a guide to minimum requirements for low voltage communications.

....JIM....

 

[cwc3]

What state are you in?

 

[DaveThePhoneDoctorLV]

Nevada. I guess it is a case of do most of you just run cable in the ceiling and down the cavity of the wall and cut out a hole for the wall plate or do some of you follow strick regulations in regards to conduit and pull buiklding permits.

Of course this will cost the customer a lot more money.

 

[Mountainbear]

In most cases running cables thru finished ceiling and down the wall cavity is fine, just be careful how you run the lines. other than military or banks, I don't know of many who will insist on a solid conduit from the MTR to the station end in an existing building. It is a good idea to get a permit if it is required, especially if there are other trades involved or people who don't like you.

 

[DaveThePhoneDoctorLV]

How about the issue of using Plenum rated cabling?

 

[cwc3]

plenum wire is for use in plenum ceiling were the ceiling is the return duct for the hvac....

 

[SYQUEST]

Plenum is covered in the NEC. Along with all the other requirements for support and attachment, etc.

....JIM....

 

[Westi]

I often come into places where the customers "guy" (or the electrician) ran all the cables because it was cheaper than our estimate and if they don't use plenum for air return and want me to terminate it I refuse to do so and have the customers "guy" come back and do it. I don't have to check if all cables in a place are the correct fire rating but I definitely won't be involved in anything other than using the terminated cables for my extensions. I ticked off a few customers with that and the discussion with my boss was that he can come to site and do it as long as I am not doing it which he then also said he won't do
As for the original questions, I don't remember anywhere having to use conduit for low voltage applications because that would mean that the HVAC gents have to run conduit for the supply to the thermostat and the alarm guys as well so it seems like this is overkill. But seeing that I am in Ontario it might be different for some of you folks and if so then I am glad that I don't have to deal with this.


Joe W.

FHandw., ACSS

insanity is just a state of mind

 

[DaveThePhoneDoctorLV]

What are your license requirements. Here we can not just get a low voltage license. We have to get the whole Electrical license thing. There are so many things on the test that as low voltage guy I will never use.

How about your states?

 

[Mountainbear]

In Nova Scotia you can install up to 6 drops in non residential, (unlimited in residential) with no license or permit.
To get a permit you must be a certified cable installer. This involves a minimum 3 years experience, any related course, and a 3 hour exam. The exam covers lot of things I will never use, but it is specifically for cable installers.
Plenum cable must be used for all forced air return ceilings.
I have never heard of needing to be a licensed electrician to install cable, what state are you in?

 

[kwing112000]

In MA where i live you dont need a license for voice and Data but in RI where i work a lot you have to take a telecom exam. there are different tests for different things.

Kevin Wing
ACSS Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Communications
ACS- Implement IP Office
ACA- Implement IP Office
Carousel Industries

 

[SYQUEST]

Other than requirements and location, the choice to use conduit or flex has to do with protection to the wiring, access, and ease of adding future wiring or changes, in addition to aesthetics of the area and ones own workmanship or practice.

Some people have no sense of pride in the work they do, or how things look when finished.

....JIM....

 

[Westi]

license?
I have none really so I am glad that I am not in Nova Scotia.
I had a 3 year apprenticeship with the German Telekom (early 80's when there was no cat5) but the wiring in Germany is different in many ways (not only the colours) from the North American way of wiring.
When I came to Canada they hired me and no extra course was required to do wiring here in Ontario but some getting used to different ways of wiring. I take pride in my work and have always made sure that I make the jobs neat and presentable (except at home I lack that a bit my wife tells me) but I guess we are, it seems, so close but far from each others locale requirements.

Joe W.

FHandw., ACSS

insanity is just a state of mind

 

[DaveThePhoneDoctorLV]

Nevada license is c-2a. I have been looking at Test Prep services both local and on line so I can pass this the first time.

Do any of your have any on line test prep study suggestions?

 

[PBXTech]

kwing112000, don't forget about the T-2 low voltage license in Connecticut as well.

and there are 4 parts to the Rhode Island low voltage license; Data, Voice, Sound (Paging?), Video (CCTV).
and then there are three levels of licensing, TSC (Contractor), TST (Technician), TSLI (Apprentice)

http://www.dlt.ri.gov/profregs/TelcommMain.htm

 

[DaveThePhoneDoctorLV]

The Nevada contractors board gave me the wrong license material. I am suppose to be classified as C-2d they gave me material for C-2a.

 

[DaveThePhoneDoctorLV]

Do these new IP systems require more than 1 pair. I notice that some sets I have seen installed are using network cables with Rj45 plugs at the end.

If so then it seems that there will now be twice the number of cable pairs to deal with per set.

 

[TouchToneTommy]

By definition, IP means ethernet. So that's 1/2 and 3/6. Don't forget about POE on 7/8. So, really, you shouldn't steal anything on a jack for an IP phone.

 

[DaveThePhoneDoctorLV]

Then there is the bulk of the station cable to consider from the jack to the set.

It will not be as flexible as a standard 1 pair station line cord.