USB cable through a wall

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jksmith82

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PA
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Electrical Contractor
I am having a difficult time finding this answer. My customer wants me to install a Simply Safe camera outside. Its fed with a USB cord and a 120v plug. Can the USB wire run through the wall to a 120v outlet in the attic? My immediate answer was no. Because no extension cords are to be run like this. Then I thought this is low voltage. i believe 5 or so volts. I can’t find any info on the product spect that says it’s rated for this. If someone can direct me to the code reference I would greatly appreciate it.
Jim
2014 NEC
 
jksmith82 said:
I am having a difficult time finding this answer. My customer wants me to install a Simply Safe camera outside. Its fed with a USB cord and a 120v plug. Can the USB wire run through the wall to a 120v outlet in the attic? My immediate answer was no. Because no extension cords are to be run like this. Then I thought this is low voltage. i believe 5 or so volts. I can’t find any info on the product spect that says it’s rated for this. If someone can direct me to the code reference I would greatly appreciate it.
Jim
2014 NEC
Click to expand...

What do you mean by the "USB Cable will run to a 120v outlet"?

JAP>
 
jksmith82 said:
I am having a difficult time finding this answer. My customer wants me to install a Simply Safe camera outside. Its fed with a USB cord and a 120v plug. Can the USB wire run through the wall to a 120v outlet in the attic? My immediate answer was no. Because no extension cords are to be run like this. Then I thought this is low voltage. i believe 5 or so volts. I can’t find any info on the product spect that says it’s rated for this. If someone can direct me to the code reference I would greatly appreciate it.
Jim
2014 NEC
Click to expand...
usb is probably a class 2 circuit.

you can use the wiring methods found in 725.133.

I would not be surprised to find that the USB is one of those cables you can use.

If nothing else you could probably route it within a conduit and be legal.
 
It may be that the USB plugs into a wall-wart with a USB jack on the side. Not sure where the signal goes, though. WiFi?
 
jap said:
Don't see why a USB Cable would be any different.
Click to expand...

Exactly. But the only problem is finding a listed USB cable - CL2/CM- otherwise you can't run it within walls. Don't know, haven't looked. All I know is the usual USB cables you find have no listing at all printed on them.

-Hal
 
This is actually kind of interesting. I called the manufacture, they said the cable, that comes in the outside installation kit is not for in the wall use. I am kind of wondering about sunlight resistance now. I have seen many cables fail because of this.

Jim
 
Interesting.

Makes me wonder what detrimental event would take place by installing a USB cable in the wall.

JAP>
 
I’ll bet not her would happen. Except when a different event happens, like a fire, and the insurance investigator finds a none approved wire through a wall. So a new contractor is named in the law suit. Incidentally, it did happen to a friend of mine. Much different circumstances but same idea.

Jim
 
I'm just curious as to how USB cables are being installed?

USB is a very common connection cable between devices.


JAP>
 
jap said:
I'm just curious as to how USB cables are being installed?

USB is a very common connection cable between devices.


JAP>
Click to expand...
Post #5 states that the camera itself uses WIFI-- I'm assuming for data transmission. The USB is (probably) used only for a power connection-- USB wall-wart, the cable to the camera plugs in at the wall-wart; low-voltage to the camera.

re: UV damage to cables outdoors-- even if the insulation goes brittle, as long as it's not wiggled, it might remain OK almost forever!
 
That is very true. I will probably sleeve it through 1/2 pvc and seal it with silicone. any other suggestions?

Jim
 
This whole time I was picturing an HDMI cable and typing USB.

Brain fart.

I can see where there may be issues with installing USB cables in a wall.

JAP>
 
jap said:
I can see where there may be issues with installing USB cables in a wall.
Click to expand...

The OP is asking what the Code requires and that is only that the cable be listed.

If you are only supplying power to the device from a wall wart, there are USB plugs available with which you can use any two conductor CL2/CM cable. You could use CAT5 and one pair if you wanted to.

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Browse DigiKey's inventory of Adafruit Industries LLC - USBConnectors. Features, Specifications, Alternative Product, Product Training Modules, and Datasheets are all available.
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-Hal
 
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