Pulling CAT5e cable over drop ceiling grid

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tgbp

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I have a 4,000 sq/ft building with a drop ceiling.

Can I put the CAT5e cables on top of the drop ceiling?
 
Most town and inspectors will fail you if any of the wiring touches the grid. You must also use plenum wire if the space above the grid is used as a return for the a/c.
As a lesson learned, we used CJ-6 clamps. The same ones used by the electricians, to secure the cabling. You can get a box of 100 for under $50.00. You can use sheetrock screws to secure them.
Any wiring must be suspended using supports that are not shared with any other supports, including those used to support the grid.
 
tgbp said:
I have a 4,000 sq/ft building with a drop ceiling.
Can I put the CAT5e cables on top of the drop ceiling?
Click to expand...

I assume you know this but I believe if the ceiling is a plenum you must use plenum rated cable.
 
ClearCom said:
I think its 311.2O?
Check the other thread in this forum about running wire over a grid.
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To the other poster, I won't need plenum, the supply and return HVAC ducts are separate.

Not sure what 311.2O is....?
 
ClearCom,
How does 300.11 apply to an Article 725 Class 2 or 3 circuit? (see 90.3 and 725.3) That being said 725.7 applies, however it doesn't say that you can't lay the Cat-5 on the top of the tiles....it just says you can't put so much cable on top of the tiles so as to make the tiles non-removable.
Don
 
Well, I simply called the city inspector this morning and asked him.

He said I couldn't lay the CAT5 on top of the ceiling grid, but that I could strap the cables to the grid wire that holds the ceiling grid.

I can handle that, I just didn't want to have to install a cable tray or something expensive like that.

I appreciate the comments, and feel free to continue to comment!

Thanks.
 
tgbp said:
... but that I could strap the cables to the grid wire that holds the ceiling grid.
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That might mess you up if your runs are going to be certified. Hard to say.

I disagree with your inspector, but I struggle to not lay so many runs on top of the tiles myself. There's normally a tail on the ceiling wire where they wrapped it around the grid, which makes sort of a "V" that you can lay several low voltage cables in very neatly. Sorta like a built-in bridle ring every 4 feet or so.
 
The CJ6 clips are really inexpensive. A box of 100 is less than 50 bucks. They are held in using sheetrock screws and can support a lot of wire.
The install we just completed had phone (22/2), speaker wire (18/2) and CCTV wire (RG59-18/2). All fit in the clip.
The inspector failed us the first time for using the same supports that hold the grid. He stated that unless we can certify that the weight of the wires will not exceed the load rating for the ceiling we could use it.
Also, everyone here on the board clearly stated that everything we add must be self supported and not shared with any other supports. We did share some of the supports used by the electrician, but all the other spots we used the CJ6 clips.
We passed with flying colors after we used the clips.

In the end it helps our reputation. The inspector will know the next time he can trust we will install the correct supports and bust our balls a little less!
 
I googled for "CJ6 clips" and didn't see what you're talking about, and went to Lowes.com and didn't see anything there.

Do you have a link to what these are?

Thanks!
 
Bridle rings

Bridle rings

Are the way to go shoot clips into masonary with a hilti gun fast cheap secure. Or lag type bridle rings into wood framing. Do it right the first time . They are not that expensive in the big picture.
 
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