Electrical conduits go through IT room

[anbm]

Does code allow electrical conduits go through IT rooms? Thanks!

 

[raider1]

There is nothing in the NEC that prohibits electrical conduits from passing through an IT room.

Chris

 

[The Doc]

Does code allow electrical conduits go through IT rooms? Thanks!

You may want to read the project specification as there may be requirements there. Fire rating or sound issues...

 

[weressl]

You may want to read the project specification as there may be requirements there. Fire rating or sound issues...

If there is an EPO(Emergency Power Off) required for the IT-room, then you would not want to route other power wiring through it, unless they are part of the power system that is being 'killed' by the EPO. The NEC itself has no relevant comments in this issue.

 

[iwire]

If there is an EPO(Emergency Power Off) required for the IT-room, then you would not want to route other power wiring through it, unless they are part of the power system that is being 'killed' by the EPO. The NEC itself has no relevant comments in this issue.

It seems you feel the EPO is intended to shut down all power in the room and that is not the case at all as far as the NEC is concerned.

You do not have to shut down anything in the room that is not 'electronic equipment'.

 

[jusme123]

It seems you feel the EPO is intended to shut down all power in the room and that is not the case at all as far as the NEC is concerned.

You do not have to shut down anything in the room that is not 'electronic equipment'.

define 'electronic equipment'

 

[wasasparky]

..is referring to listed "Information Technology" equipment...
Shooting from the hip here, can't go into detail, no code book, and my wife giving me the look...

 

[brian john]

Kind of hard to power up all that electronic equipment without conduit routing power into the room??????????????????

 

[iwire]

define 'electronic equipment'

OK

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
EQUIPMENT INCLUDING ELECTRICAL
BUSINESS EQUIPMENT (NWGQ)
USE

This category covers equipment, appliances and systems rated 600 V or
less normally found in offices and other business establishments, residences
(homes), educational facilities, and other similar environments classified as
ordinary locations.
This equipment has been investigated for installation in information technology
equipment (computer) rooms as defined in ANSI/NFPA 75, ??Protection
of Electronic Computer/Data Processing Equipment,?? and Article 645
of ANSI/NFPA 70, ??National Electrical Code?? (NEC), unless the equipment
is otherwise identified by a marking or instruction.

EQUIPMENT TYPES
Equipment may be electronic or electromechanical in design or a combination
thereof.
Various groupings of equipment are covered under this category, such as:

Displays: Flat-panel displays, LCD displays, monitors, plasma displays.
Information processing equipment: Central processing units (CPUs),
hand-held computers (personal assistants), laptop computers, notebook
computers, pen-based computers, personal computers, point-of-sale terminals,
scanners (including portable bar code scanners), servers, work stations.

Accessories: Docking stations, flash memory cards, keyboards, mouse,
PCMCIA-memory-modem cards, port replicators, trackballs.
Information storage equipment: Automated information storage equipment,
CD-ROM/RW drives, disk drives, DVD drives, tape drives, optical
drives.

Telecommunication equipment: Cellular site equipment, cordless telephone
sets, facsimile machines, ISDN systems and telephones, modems, key
telephone systems, powerline communication equipment, private automated
branch exchanges (PABXs), telephone answering machines, telephone sets,
voicemail systems, IP telephones, IP systems, wireless telephony systems.

Office appliances: Adding machines, bursters, calculators, collators, dictation
and transcribing machines, electric typewriters, erasers, folding,
embossing and sealing machines, label printers, microfilm readers, motoroperated
file cabinets, overhead projectors, paper cutters, paper shredders,
pencil sharpeners, sorters, stackers, staplers.

Printers/Reproduction equipment: Copiers, duplicating machines, microfilm
printers, mimeograph machines, plotters, printers.
Mailing, banking and currency-handling equipment: Cash registers, coin
counters, feeders and dispensers, accounting machines, check-writing-,
-assigning, -dating, -inserting, -mailing, -numbering and -stamping
machines, point-of-sale terminals.

Multimedia equipment/accessories: Cable modems, digital cameras, DLP
projectors, LCD projectors, microphones, set top boxes, speakers, video conferencing
systems.

Network equipment: Baluns, bridges, fiber optic transceivers, hubs,
nodes, Power over Ethernet (PoE) equipment (e.g., power source equipment
[PSE] and powered devices [PD]), repeaters, routers, switches, transceivers.
Wireless (RF, infrared) transceiving equipment: RF modems, hand-held
computers with integral transceivers.

Static neutralizing equipment: Power units with discharge bars used with
or within copiers, collators, film-plate processors, digital printers, duplicating
machines and similar equipment.

Interconnecting cable assemblies: Cable assemblies intended for use
beneath raised floors of computer rooms. These assemblies are also covered
under Computer Interconnection Cable Assemblies (DVPJ).
Included within the above groupings is equipment which is battery powered,
either by standard-size consumer-replaceable batteries (e.g., AA, C, D),
or nonstandard sizes specified by manufacturer, type and ratings.
This category also covers power distribution units (PDUs) and computer
power centers investigated as part of a computer system for use exclusively
in information technology equipment (computer) rooms in accordance with
Article 645 of the NEC. This equipment is connected to branch circuits
unless otherwise indicated in the manufacturer?s installation instructions,
and it distributes power to other units in the computer system by means of
interconnecting cable assemblies complying with one or more of the wiring
methods outlined in Article 645 of the NEC. Many of these units require
special installation, such as a separate transformer, special grounding methods,
motor-generator equipment, air conditioning, etc. Such features are covered
in the manufacturer?s installation instructions.

INSTALLATION
Some equipment has been investigated for installation in a restricted
access location, such as a dedicated equipment room or telecommunication
equipment closet, where access is limited to trained service personnel. Such
equipment is provided with a marking or installation instructions that state
??To be installed only in a Restricted Access Location,?? or similar wording. If
also intended for installation over a concrete or noncombustible surface,
such equipment will also be marked ??Suitable for mounting on concrete or
other noncombustible surface only,?? or similar wording.

Equipment installed in a restricted access location generally receives
power from a centralized d.c. power source. If field wiring terminals are not
contained in an internal compartment, both protection of exposed wiring
terminals and wiring methods used for such equipment are intended to be
provided in accordance with (1) markings on or instructions with the equipment,
and (2) the provisions of Sections 110.26 and 110.27 of the NEC.
Products such as LAN transceivers and baluns investigated for use in airhandling
spaces are marked ??Suitable for Use in Other Environmental Air
Space in Accordance with Section 300.22, (C) of the National Electrical
Code?? or ??Suitable for Use in Air Handling Spaces.?? These products have
been additionally investigated to UL 2043, ??Fire Test for Heat and Visible
Smoke Release for Discrete Products and their Accessories Installed in Air-
Handling Spaces.?? Products that bear the marking are suitable for installation
in accordance with Section 300 of the NEC, Chapter 4 of ANSI/NFPA
90A, ??Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems,??,
Section 602 of the ??International Mechanical Code,?? and Section 602
of the ??Uniform Mechanical Code.??
When Listed equipment intended for use with a detachable power-supply
cord is not provided with such a cord, a cord suitable for connection of the
equipment to the branch circuit should be separately provided.
Equipment intended to be installed in closed and multiunit standard racks
and cabinets has been determined to be suitable for use in ambient temperatures
not exceeding the manufacturer?s recommended ambient temperature
as specified in the equipment?s installation instructions.
Equipment identified with an Enclosure Type designation, or as ??Raintight??
or ??Rainproof,?? is intended for use as indicated in Electrical Equipment
for Use in Ordinary Locations (AALZ).

ACCESSORIES
Field-installed accessories to Listed equipment are provided with suitable
markings and/or instructions detailing proper installation or assembly of
the accessory with either a specific or generic Listed equipment specified in
the markings or instructions.

OUTPUT CONNECTORS/CIRCUITS
Class 2 circuits are marked ??Class 2.?? All other output circuits, including
those associated with the Universal Serial Bus (USB), IEEE 1394 bus and
PS/2 connectors are limited-power circuits supplied by ANSI/UL 60950-1
limited-power sources, unless:
? the circuits are clearly telecommunication circuits (e.g., RJ series
modular jack, 50-pin commercial connectors with insulation-piercing
terminals). These circuits are limited to telecommunication network
voltages (TNV) and are suitable for connection to the telecommunication
network and distribution wiring in accordance with Article 800 of
the NEC; or
? the circuits are marked, or otherwise identified in the installation
instructions with the type of circuit (e.g., Class 1), intended cable type
(e.g., DP-2) or specific equipment intended to be interconnected (e.g.,
mfr/model printer).
Limited-power circuits of listed ITE supplied by limited-power sources are
recognized by Section 725.41(A)(4) of the NEC as being equivalent to Class
2 circuits for purposes of applying Article 725 Class 2 wiring requirements.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Equipment investigated with respect to security or burglary resistance is
covered under Access Control System Units (ALVY), Antitheft Alarms and
Devices (ATJT) and other associated categories. Card readers, badge readers
and similar identification equipment covered under this category have not
been investigated with respect to security.
The burglary and theft protection features of coin-operated equipment,
banking and currency-handling equipment, cash registers, coin counters and
the like have not been investigated.
Automated teller machines (ATMs) investigated for security and burglary
resistance are covered under Automated Teller Systems (TPEU). ATMs that
have not been investigated for security protection are covered under Bank
Equipment (BALT).

It goes on but I think that is enough ...

 

[iwire]

define 'electronic equipment'

Ran out of space above.

First thing to realize is the NEC NEVER requires an EPO in a data center. You could wire the worlds largest most densely packed data room and as long as you do all the wring per Chapters 1 to 3 of the NEC no EPO would be required.

Using an EPO at all is a design choice, one that many data centers are moving away from because all the redundant back up systems are worthless if some moron bumps an EPO or someone tries to work on EPO wiring while the data center is up and running.

The only reason to choose to install an EPO is the fact that when an EPO is installed along with the items in 645.4(2), 645.4(3), 645.4(4) and 645.4(5) is that you can wire the room using cords or other less restrictive methods than Chapters 1 to 3 usually require.

So really what the EPO had been intended to do (IMO) is to kill power to the wiring methods allowed by Article 645.

The lights can (and should) stay on, feeders can stay on, panels in the room itself can stay on.

HOWEVER this may change in 2011, I have my ROP for 2011 but my 2011 NEC is at the office so I cannot confirm this made it into the new code.

12-108 Log #1706 NEC-P12 Final Action: Accept
(645.4(6))
_____________________________________________________________
TCC Action: The Technical Correlating Committee understands that
this new Section follows the existing FPN to 645.4(5). The Technical
Correlating Committee directs that the panel add a title to the new section.
This action will be considered by the Panel as a Public Comment.

Submitter: Charles M. Trout, Maron Electric Company

Recommendation: Add a new 645.4(6) to read:
Except for lighting and its controls no electrical distribution equipment or
wiring, other than that which supplies the information technology equipment
and its associated equipment and a dedicated heating/ventilating/airconditioning
(HVAC), shall be installed in the information technology room.
Exception: Communications systems such as telephone, shall be permitted to
be installed.

Substantiation: Relaxation of the rules relating to plenum wiring as shown
in 300.22 were made based on the limited wiring methods shown in 645.5.
The disconnecting means required by 645.10 is based on an emergency
condition where all electrical wiring within the ITE room would be easily and
conveniently deenergized.

Panel Meeting Action: Accept

Number Eligible to Vote: 12

Ballot Results: Affirmative: 11 Negative: 1

Explanation of Negative:

JOHNSON, R.: The panel should reject this proposal. This prohibits the use
of security, fire alarm and similar wiring. It introduces new restrictions not
involved with the under floor wiring which are considered acceptable in normal
areas. This can make the computer room an impenetrable barrier to any conduit
going from one part of the building to another.

Can someone take a look for this in the 2011 NEC and see if it made it past the public comment stage and into the new NEC?

 

[brian john]

Using an EPO at all is a design choice, one that many data centers are moving away from because all the redundant back up systems are worthless if some moron bumps an EPO or someone tries to work on EPO wiring while the data center is up and running.

In 30 years of working in and around data centers I have never known of one instance where an EPO benefited anyone. I know of at least a dozen cases where the EPO dumped the data center accidentally.

 

[chris kennedy]

I have my ROP for 2011 but my 2011 NEC is at the office so I cannot confirm this made it into the new code.




Can someone take a look for this in the 2011 NEC and see if it made it past the public comment stage and into the new NEC?

Confirmed.

645.4 Special Requirements for Information Technology
Equipment Room. This article shall be permitted to
provide alternate wiring methods to the provisions of Chapters
1 through 4 for power wiring, 725.154 for signaling
wiring, and 770.113(C) and Table 770.154(a) for optical
fiber cabling when all of the following conditions are met:

(6) Only electrical equipment and wiring associated with
the operation of the information technology room is
installed in the room.

Informational Note: HVAC systems, communications systems,
and monitoring systems such as telephone, fire alarm
systems, security systems, water detection systems, and
other related protective equipment are examples of equipment
associated with the operation of the information technology
room.

 

[tkb]

In 30 years of working in and around data centers I have never known of one instance where an EPO benefited anyone. I know of at least a dozen cases where the EPO dumped the data center accidentally.

I have also been around data centers for about 30 years, and the only time I saw an EPO triggered was by accident.

I have never seen one used as it was intended.

Usually the EPO buttons have a guard around them to make sure someone accentently use them, but more so doesn't use them at all.

 

[roger]

the only time I saw an EPO triggered was by accident.

I have never seen one used as it was intended.

Same here

Roger

 

[dbuckley]

I have also been around data centers for about 30 years, and the only time I saw an EPO triggered was by accident.

I'm another 30 year IT veteran and I too have never seen an EPO used as it was intended. I've seen plenty of unintended shutdowns caused by these damned things. Heck, many years ago, I came within a couple of inches of accidently pushing one myself.

Someone (like a code making panel set of someones) needs to get a grip, and accept that 645 says some good stuff, bringing the USA into standard practice worldwide, but having a EPO as a requirement to get the relief offered in 645 is just plain stupid. Data centres globally are wired using 645-style methods, and in many cases, in a style much worse, and experience tells us these installations are not an accident waiting to happen. An EPO is, however.

Data center users understand that the systems have to continue operating 24/7 for a long time, and thus will do the things necessary for availability, which includes making sure the data centre doesn't bun down, because a burned out datacentre leads to unavailability. Its a world apart from resi, and almost all commericial and industrial.

 

[brian john]

I have also been around data centers for about 30 years, and the only time I saw an EPO triggered was by accident.

I have never seen one used as it was intended.

Usually the EPO buttons have a guard around them to make sure someone accentently use them, but more so doesn't use them at all.

In our area the covers have only been wide spread use in the last 5-10 years. Many of the EPOs I have dump data centers were government and we think it was intentional as it allowed non critical personnel to go home early.

 

[steve66]

In our area the covers have only been wide spread use in the last 5-10 years. Many of the EPOs I have dump data centers were government and we think it was intentional as it allowed non critical personnel to go home early.

Probably while the critical personel worked all through the night to get stuff back up.

I have also been around data centers for about 30 years, and the only time I saw an EPO triggered was by accident.

Maybe that's why the Code Forum has been down for the last 8 hours

 

[ron]

First thing to realize is the NEC NEVER requires an EPO in a data center. You could wire the worlds largest most densely packed data room and as long as you do all the wring per Chapters 1 to 3 of the NEC no EPO would be required.

Using an EPO at all is a design choice, one that many data centers are moving away from because all the redundant back up systems are worthless if some moron bumps an EPO or someone tries to work on EPO wiring while the data center is up and running.

The only reason to choose to install an EPO is the fact that when an EPO is installed along with the items in 645.4(2), 645.4(3), 645.4(4) and 645.4(5) is that you can wire the room using cords or other less restrictive methods than Chapters 1 to 3 usually require.

I agree 99% with that statement. If you add Chapter 4 to it, I move it to 100+%

 

[weressl]

It seems you feel the EPO is intended to shut down all power in the room and that is not the case at all as far as the NEC is concerned.

You do not have to shut down anything in the room that is not 'electronic equipment'.

It's not a feeling:roll:, it's a function issue.

EPO started with IBM, when they developed their own practices to construct rooms for mainframes. (I do not know if it ever made it into any NFPA fire protection codes for data center type operations, or not, havent done one for years.)

The function and intent of the EPO is to remove a potential source of energy that may sustain a fire - since in a data cneter that is the usual origin of fire - so it stands to reason to remove ALL power that may enter the protected area.

I have witnessed succesful use of EPO's several times, one of which was fire originating from a 400A SqD breaker lug improperly tightened. I have never witnessed an incidental tripping of the EPO, but then again I hang around installations that are engineered and installed properly.:roll:

 

[iwire]

It's not a feeling:roll:, it's a function issue.

EPO started with IBM, when they developed their own practices to construct rooms for mainframes. (I do not know if it ever made it into any NFPA fire protection codes for data center type operations, or not, havent done one for years.)

The function and intent of the EPO is to remove a potential source of energy that may sustain a fire - since in a data cneter that is the usual origin of fire - so it stands to reason to remove ALL power that may enter the protected area.

Can you provide more than your say so as that is not what the NEC currently requires

I have witnessed succesful use of EPO's several times,

I suggest you play the lottery as you are the only one that has posted that they have seen it happen at all ... never mind several times.:grin: Or maybe you were the cause? :grin:

one of which was fire originating from a 400A SqD breaker lug improperly tightened. I have never witnessed an incidental tripping of the EPO, but then again I hang around installations that are engineered and installed properly.:roll:

You would think that a properly engineered and installed system would have overcurrent and ground fault protection that would open when there was a fault instead of counting on a person being there to hit an EPO ...... but hey I am just an electrician so what do I know?