Access Panels and WiFi Comm Cable NEC rating?

[Go Sharks]

The modular nature of Wifi modules lends itself to multiple installation locations. What rating does a WiFI comm cable and Power 10vdc barrel cable insulation need to be rated at? Is there a NEC code restriction to securely mounting WiFi modules inside panel access doors with plenty of space via a cable leash. Behind the inverter access door are typical seizure lugs from DC to AC. All of these wire conductors typically 12ga to 8ga, THHN insulation are rated at 600V.

Do very small managed conductor cables, 24ga and Cat 5 or 6 sheathing and insulation also need to be rated at 600v, just because it is in the general vicinity of the heavier conductors and termination enclosure area. I can only find 300v rated sheathing. The actual comm ports on the inverter are in fact in the cable termination area. Also placing the wifi monitoring device inside the inverter panel would remove the external enclosure cost, be weather resistent and make the installation much cleaner and cheaper. With the initial testing we've done, EMF is a non-issue.
Will this pass code? I?ve not found anything in the code specific to this.

 

[brantmacga]

What rating does a WiFI comm cable

you're not running cat5 off the switch?

What rating does a WiFI comm cable and Power 10vdc barrel cable insulation need to be rated at?

depends on your install, but usually plenum rated if its in a plenum in an office type environment.

Is there a NEC code restriction to securely mounting WiFi modules inside panel access doors with plenty of space via a cable leash

are you talking about box fill?

Do very small managed conductor cables, 24ga and Cat 5 or 6 sheathing and insulation also need to be rated at 600v, just because it is in the general vicinity of the heavier conductors and termination enclosure area.

they should not be in the general vicinity of, and only cross at 90deg. angles. i'm assuming you're thinking of matching insulation ratings within the same conduit. they should not be within the same conduit.

I’ve not found anything in the code specific to this.

i don't know that i've helped you at all, but to get more answers, i think the question needs to be worded a little more clearly. i tried to follow the best i could. i think you're installing an access point in a drop ceiling somewhere, probably an office or a starbucks.

All of these wire conductors typically 12ga to 8ga, THHN insulation are rated at 600V.

now i'm not so sure. exactly what the hey are you installing here? the only access points i'm somewhat familiar with are the onQ's and leviton. don't recall the need for any 8ga thhn.

 

[Go Sharks]

Wifi Cable Jacket clarification

Wifi Cable Jacket clarification

Okay, So now I see why my wife can't understand a word I'm saying.

Let me retry.
We install solar inverters, exterior surface mount enclusures on residential. The inverter takes DC input from the array, output is 60hz at 240vac, 25A. Inside the Inverter enclosure, we are looking to install WiFi monitoring modules with cable leashes, actually mounted to the access cover, 10"x 24", which is removeable, needed to terminate the input and out put wires described above, which are 8- 12gauge, THHN.

My question is does the Wifi cable,(yes Cat5, would plan on using it except not sure if it'll past muster as the jacket is not rated for 600v) need to have the same 600v sheath rating as the power cables, simply because the Wifi Module is mounted in the same access area.

There is adequate room and clear plastic finger guards covering the inverter power terminations. The inverter RJ45(where I pick up 10vdc @ 20mA) and DB9 comm ports are in this access panel area, which is why I'm looking to mount the WiFi module inside, as opposed to running conduit thru this area external to a seperate enclosure.

I hope this adds clarity to my issue. Thanks for all the responses!

 

[ddubbs103]

From experience in terminating control panels where I had same question. I was told that as long as the cat 5 etc were being terminated in the cabinet where the AC power was located and try to keep away from each other as best as you can that it was allowable. I didn't see anything in the book, just what I have been told. Hopefully I understood what you were talking about.

 

[brantmacga]

Okay, So now I see why my wife can't understand a word I'm saying.

Let me retry.
We install solar inverters, exterior surface mount enclusures on residential. The inverter takes DC input from the array, output is 60hz at 240vac, 25A. Inside the Inverter enclosure, we are looking to install WiFi monitoring modules with cable leashes, actually mounted to the access cover, 10"x 24", which is removeable, needed to terminate the input and out put wires described above, which are 8- 12gauge, THHN.

My question is does the Wifi cable,(yes Cat5, would plan on using it except not sure if it'll past muster as the jacket is not rated for 600v) need to have the same 600v sheath rating as the power cables, simply because the Wifi Module is mounted in the same access area.

There is adequate room and clear plastic finger guards covering the inverter power terminations. The inverter RJ45(where I pick up 10vdc @ 20mA) and DB9 comm ports are in this access panel area, which is why I'm looking to mount the WiFi module inside, as opposed to running conduit thru this area external to a seperate enclosure.

I hope this adds clarity to my issue. Thanks for all the responses!

This is much easier to understand than:

The modular nature of Wifi modules lends itself to multiple installation locations. What rating does a WiFI comm cable and Power 10vdc barrel cable insulation need to be rated at? Is there a NEC code restriction to securely mounting WiFi modules inside panel access doors with plenty of space via a cable leash. Behind the inverter access door are typical seizure lugs from DC to AC. All of these wire conductors typically 12ga to 8ga, THHN insulation are rated at 600V.

Do very small managed conductor cables, 24ga and Cat 5 or 6 sheathing and insulation also need to be rated at 600v, just because it is in the general vicinity of the heavier conductors and termination enclosure area. I can only find 300v rated sheathing. The actual comm ports on the inverter are in fact in the cable termination area. Also placing the wifi monitoring device inside the inverter panel would remove the external enclosure cost, be weather resistent and make the installation much cleaner and cheaper. With the initial testing we've done, EMF is a non-issue.
Will this pass code? I?ve not found anything in the code specific to this.

I can't think of anything code specific either, but I don't know else you can accomplish what you want to do w/o doing what it is you plan on doing.

 

[LarryFine]

Every spec I could find on CAT-5 and CAT-5E says they're rated at 300v, so I'd say Art. 725 allows it.