CAT5 use is a wiring method

[reyamkram]

In a factory I was working in I found a machine wired with CAT5 cable they use it as a wiring method to go from switch to switch and to the control panel one machine is 110 volts the other machine is is 24 volts I do not believe that is right where in the NEC can I find that this is a violation if I'm not mistaken Cat 5 cable can only handle around 50 volts thanking you in advance for any and all information it's very highly appreciate it

 

[petersonra]

The voltage rating will probably be marked on the cable.

It seems unlikely that CAT5 cable would be a NEC legal means of wiring up a machine except for class 2 circuits.

I could see how it might be acceptable for some things but probably not for 110 V circuits.

But more information is likely needed to completely rule it out.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

The 120 volt circuits would be Class 1 remote control circuits and you need to look at the permitted wiring methods for Class 1 control circuits. Note they really screwed this up in the 2023 code, so easier to find in the 2020 or older. In the older codes it is all in Article 725.
The 24 volt circuit may be Class 2, but that depends on the amount of power available from the power supply.

 

[tom baker]

Note that voltage rating is not shown on a Cat Cable

 

[zbang]

a) does the NEC even apply to this machine? Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. (Either way, CAT5 is probably the wrong cable to use.)
b) Please use some punctuation, it's much harder to read without commas and periods.

 

[reyamkram]

The voltage rating will probably be marked on the cable.

It seems unlikely that CAT5 cable would be a NEC legal means of wiring up a machine except for class 2 circuits.

I could see how it might be acceptable for some things but probably not for 110 V circuits.

But more information is likely needed to completely rule it out.

Thank you for your reply what information would you like so I'll be able to see if I can get it for you thank you

 

[petersonra]

Thank you for your reply what information would you like so I'll be able to see if I can get it for you thank you

You would need to investigate whether the circuits using cat 5 cable are class 2 circuits. If they are then the wiring is acceptable. If they are not class 2 circuits the wiring is not acceptable.

There could also be other issues but you specifically asked about the use of cat 5 cable and the answer has been narrowly tailored to that question.