Which cable type may not be placed in raceways and boxes along with electric light power, class 1 nonpower-limited fire alarm, and/or medium-power, broadband communication cable unless separated?

Which cable type may not be placed in raceways and boxes along with electric light power, class 1 nonpower-limited fire alarm, and/or medium-power, broadband communication cable unless separated?

• A. Coaxial cable
• B. Low- and/or medium-power, network-powered broadband communication cable
• C. CMX
• D. Fiber optic

Answer: (B)

When running cables in raceways or boxes, you must separate conductors that carry power from those that carry signals, to prevent energy transfer, overheating, and electrical interference from one system to another. The cable type that must be separated from electric light power, class 1 nonpower-limited fire alarm, and/or medium-power, broadband communication cable is the low- and/or medium-power, network-powered broadband communication cable. Because this cable can carry usable power to network devices (it behaves as a power-carrying conductor in addition to delivering data), it requires separation from power conductors to meet safety and performance requirements. Coaxial cable, CMX, and fiber optic are treated as nonpower or signaling cables and are, under the code, allowed to share space with power cables when installation rules are followed; they do not impose the same separation constraint as the network-powered broadband type.

When running cables in raceways or boxes, you must separate conductors that carry power from those that carry signals, to prevent energy transfer, overheating, and electrical interference from one system to another. The cable type that must be separated from electric light power, class 1 nonpower-limited fire alarm, and/or medium-power, broadband communication cable is the low- and/or medium-power, network-powered broadband communication cable. Because this cable can carry usable power to network devices (it behaves as a power-carrying conductor in addition to delivering data), it requires separation from power conductors to meet safety and performance requirements. Coaxial cable, CMX, and fiber optic are treated as nonpower or signaling cables and are, under the code, allowed to share space with power cables when installation rules are followed; they do not impose the same separation constraint as the network-powered broadband type.