home theatre equipment installation

[cagne]

help!!
very confused on definition of CL2 Versus CL3 cable. I understand it has to do with class 2 and class 3 rated circuits but is there any correlation to flame retardant specifications?

here is my issue: i cannot find an authoritative source to tell me what flame rating i need and what class circuit i need to manufacture cable assemblies used to install cable assemblies that hook up plasma screen TV monitiors. in addition, someone was telling me that i can use cl2 in commercial buildings but i need cl3 in homes? can anyone shed any light on this subject?
the current cable i use is a ul20276 rated cable with a cmx fire rating? no idea how cl2 or cl3 would relate to this?

 

[volt102]

Re: home theatre equipment installation

Table 725.61 Cable Uses and Permitted Substitutions

 

[cagne]

Re: home theatre equipment installation

volt102-
thank you, that did help- however, interpretions are everything-can you tell me if i interpreted this right- it does not matter home or commercial-if i install a cable in a wall, i need to use a "cm" rated cable. if i install in a plenum space, i need "CMP". the hdtv and satellite systems are considerded low voltage so cl2 would be sufficient as far as voltage is concerned? would you think my assesment is correct?

 

[dereckbc]

Re: home theatre equipment installation

cagne, did you read and understand 725.61 Hierarchy. For example CMP could be used anywhere, and CMR can be used anywhere except plenums.

 

[hbiss]

Re: home theatre equipment installation

...however, interpretions are everything

It's really not that difficult and you need to study 725 as well as 800 to have a thorough understanding.

...it does not matter home or commercial

No, it does not matter. You may not find plenum or air handling spaces where you would be likely to run wiring all that often in most homes though.

...if i install a cable in a wall, i need to use a "cm" rated cable.

Not necessarily. CM is only one possible listing meaning communications multipurpose. As Dereck suggested, learn the hierarchy and make sure you don't use any non-listed stuff or anything listed as a flexible cord or cable. (SO, SOT, POS etc)

...the hdtv and satellite systems are considerded low voltage so cl2 would be sufficient as far as voltage is concerned?

I think most shielded and coax cables are CL2 because little or no voltage or current is carried, so in that respect I would agree. Multiconductor control cables may be another matter and I would think that the wiring method would be indicated on the terminals or label if other than CL2 was necessary. However with consumer stuff there probably is no indication.

I know with commercial audio the speaker wiring may need to be CL3 or even class 1 and must be printed next to the output terminals on the amp per UL.

-Hal