Re: quick installation question...

[Frank Olson <Use-the-email-links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Andy C wrote:


> ok thanks,
> if we leave the mains in its own trunking... is there still a problem with
> running all the other cables together (telephone, cat5, alarm sensors)
> the mains wiring was installed by a builder who i now suspect is no more a
> qualified electrician than i am - he just told us to run everything in the
> same trunking and ran it in oversize trunking for that reason... but seemed
> odd hence i thought i should check
> thanks,
> andy


Keep low voltage cable at least 12" away from high voltage cable.  All
of your AC is 220, so I'd increase that distance further.  If the AC is
in steel conduit (not PVC), and properly grounded, you shouldn't have a
problem strapping your low voltage cable to it.  If you need to cross
over to the other side of and exposed high voltage run, do so at as
close to a 90 degree angle as you can get.  As for telephone, I've seen
some installations that utilize the brown/white-brown pair of the CAT5
for the phone with no problems although I personally wouldn't do it.

It is definitely against code to run high voltage and low voltage in the
same conduit, but once again, I've seen it done with emergency lighting.
  How the inspectors justify passing this I haven't a clue.  The only
thing I can surmise is that they don't know one of the 12 gauge pairs is
"AC" and the other 12VDC and the elecrician (who's out to get his
installation approved so he can invoice the job) fails to mention it.