Re: shielding low voltage wire, running low voltage wires aside 12-2 romex

[Frank Olson <use_the_email_links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Robert L Bass wrote:
> "John M Lauck" wrote:
>>
>> Couple questions:
>>
>> First, is it possible to run Swann security camera (black, shielded,
>> power/audio/video in one) wire along side 12-2 romex.  I'm wiring
>> security cameras and external motion lights and it would be much
>> easier to run this pair of wires side by side.  Is there any problem
>> doing so?
>
> Don't do it.  Code requires separation for safety.  For optimal
> performance stay 12" minimum from 110VACD and 24" from 220VAC.  Cross at
> right angles where necessary.  That said, it's ok to run close and
> parallel for a few feet, say up a wall to a light switch.  But farther
> than that keep your distance.

BAss, you're a moron.  So you have to maintain separation for safety
(according to Code)...  yet it's "OK to run close and parallel for a few
feet" (which is *against* Code)...  Your mental faculties must be on
hiatus.  This has got to be one of the dumbest things I've seen you
post.  "Don't do it, but it's OK if you do"...  Right, Bass.

NEC requires a minimum 2" separation between high voltage (110VAC) and
low voltage (communication grade) cabling.  If you're running
communication grade wire down a wall which also happens to have a light
switch, it's going to be darn difficult to maintain that separation
unless you cut out the dry wall and physically staple the wire.  Most
alarm installers (primates to BAss) recognize this and will use separate
wall entry points from any AC wiring that's terminated or run in the
same wall cavity.  Electrical inspectors will look for this.  They don't
bring the X-Ray equipment out to ensure any wiring you've run inside the
wall complies with NEC.


>
>> Second, I've read plenty of info that specifies if you have to cross
>> Cat-5 wires with electric wire you cross the two wire
>> perpendicularly.  However, in an older home where there's only a small
>> chase to get wires to their destination there's bound to be a place
>> where the wires are side by side.  Can you wrap the low voltage wires
>> with foil or something to shield them?  Is this necessary for short
>> points of contact?  Is this the same for speaker/security or coax wire?
>
> For short distances necessary to get to a service point from the main
> run, it's ok to stay under 12" away.  Don't run the two types abutting
> each other though.


He shouldn't have a problem using shielded wire.  The "rule" (code to
you) is to maintain a 2" separation.