770.133 (A) exception 1

[Todd0x1]

Regarding installation of nonconductive fiber optic cable in a raceway with a class 1 circuit, how is 'functionally associated' defined? For example there is an empty existing conduit from a loadcenter to a detached garage. A fiber optic cable would be installed along with the class 1 conductors to bring network connectivity to the detached garage. An EV charger would be powered by the class 1 circuit in the conduit in question, and this EV charger would be connected to the network which is utilizing the fiber optic cable. Would that be considered functionally associated, considering the fiber leaves the conduit in the garage to land in a network switch, and that network switch has the EV charger plugged into it?


From 770.133 (A)
Nonconductive optical fiber cables shall not be permitted to
occupy the same cabinet, outlet box, panel, or similar enclosure
housing the electrical terminations of an electric light,
power, Class 1, non–power-limited fire alarm, or medium-power
network-powered broadband communications circuit.

Exception No. 1: Occupancy of the same cabinet, outlet box, panel, or
similar enclosure shall be permitted where nonconductive optical fiber
cable is functionally associated with the electric light, power, Class 1,
non–power-limited fire alarm, or medium-power network-powered broadband
communications circuit.

 

[tortuga]

If both cables go to the same appliance or equipment they are functionally associated.
What EV charger uses a class 1 circuit?

 

[Todd0x1]

Oops, obviously not class 1 I typed this before morning caffeine.

If both cables go to the same appliance or equipment they are functionally associated.

Where I get stuck is both cables going to the same piece of equipment. The fiber would have to land in a switch which also has the EV charger connected to it. The EV charger can not function without that switch or the fiber. Can that be considered functionally associated? Or is there a definition somewhere that defines functionally associated as landing in the same piece of equipment?