1; or

(3) If the building or structure served has no grounding means, as described in b(1) or b(2), to (1) an effectively grounded metal structure or (2) to a ground rod or pipe not less than 5 feet (1.52 m) in length and ½ inch (12.7 mm) in diameter, driven, where practicable, into permanently damp earth and separated from lightning conductors as covered in Section 800-13 and at least 6 feet (1.83 m) from electrodes of other systems. Steam or hot water pipes or lightning-rod conductors shall not be employed as electrodes for protectors. (c) Electrode Connection. Connections to grounding electrodes shall comply with Section 250-115. Connectors, clamps, fittings, or lugs used to attach grounding conductors and bonding jumpers to grounding electrodes or to each other that are to be concrete-encased or buried in the earth shall be suitable for its application. (d) Bonding of Electrodes. A bonding jumper not smaller than No. 6 copper or equivalent shall be connected between the communications grounding electrode and power grounding electrode system at the building or structure served where separate electrodes are used. Bonding together of all separate electrodes shall be permitted. Exception: At mobile homes as covered in Section 800-41. (FPN No. 1): See Section 250-86 for use of lightning rods. (FPN No. 2): Bonding together of all separate electrodes will limit potential differences between them and between their associated wiring systems. 70-798 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 800-41. Primary Protector Grounding and Bonding at Mobile Homes. (a) Grounding. Where there is no mobile home service equipment located in sight from and not more than 30 feet (9.14 m) from the exterior wall of the mobile home it serves, or there is no mobile home disconnecting means grounded in accordance with Section 250-24 and located within sight from and not more than 30 feet (9.14 m) from the exterior wall of the mobile home it serves, the primary protector ground shall be in accordance with Section 800-40(b)(2) and (3). (b) Bonding. The primary protector grounding terminal or grounding electrode shall be bonded to the metal frame or available grounding terminal of the mobile home with a copper grounding conductor not smaller than No. 12 under any of the following conditions: (1) Where there is no mobile home service equipment or disconnecting means as in (a) above or; (2) The mobile home is supplied by cord and plug. E. Conductors Within Buildings 800-49. Fire Resistance of Communications Wires and Cables. Communications wires and cables installed as wiring within a building shall be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire in accordance with Sections 800-50 and 800-51. 800-50. Listing, Marking, and Installation of Communications Wires and Cables. Communications wires and cables installed as wiring within buildings shall be listed as being suitable for the purpose, marked in accordance with Table 800-50, and installed in accordance with Section 800-52. The cable voltage rating shall not be marked on the cable. (FPN): Voltage markings on cables may be misinterpreted to suggest that the cables may be suitable for Class 1, electric light and power applications. Exception No. 1: Voltage markings shall be permitted where the cable has listings. multiple listings and voltage marking is required for one or more of the Exception No. 2: Listing and marking shall not be required where the cable enters the building from the outside and is continuously enclosed in rigid metal conduit or intermediate metal conduit and such conduits are grounded to an electrode in accordance with Section 800-40(b). Exception No. 3: Listing and marking shall not be required where the length of cable within the building does not exceed 50 feet (15.2 m) and the cable enters the building from the outside and is terminated in an enclosure or on a listed primary protector. (FPN No. 1): Splice cases or terminal boxes, both metallic and plastic types, are typically used as enclosures for splicing or terminating telephone cables. (FPN No. 2): This exception limits the length of unlisted outside plant cable to 50 feet (15.2 m), while Section 800-30(b) requires that the primary protector shall be located as close as practicable to the point at which the cable enters the building. Hence, in installations requiring a primary protector, the outside plant cable may not be permitted to extend 50 feet (15.2 m) into the building if it is practicable to place the primary protector closer than 50 feet (15.2 m) to the entrance point. ARTICLE 800 - COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS 70-799 Exception No. 4: Multipurpose cables shall be considered as being suitable for the purpose and shall be permitted to substitute for communications cables as provided for in Section 800-53(f). Table 800-50. Cable Markings Cable Marking Type Reference MPP Multipurpose plenum cable Sections 800-51(g) and 800-53(a) CMP Communications plenum cable Sections 800-51(a) and 800-53(a) MPR Multipurpose riser cable Sections 800-51(g) and 800-53(b) CMR Communications riser cable Sections 800-51(b) and 800-53(b) MPG Multipurpose general- Sections 800-51(g) and 800-53(d) purpose cable CMG Communications general- Sections 800-51(c) and 800-53(d) purpose cable MP Multipurpose general- Sections 800-51(g) and 800-52(d) purpose cable CM Communications general- Sections 800-51(d) and 800-53(d) purpose cable CMX Communications cable, Sections 800-51(e) and 800-53(d), limited use Exception Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 CMUC Undercarpet communications Sections 800-51(f) and 800-53(d), wire and cable Exception No. 5 (FPN No. 1): Cable types are listed in descending order of fire resistance rating, and multipurpose cables are listed above communications cables because multipurpose cables may substitute for communications cables. (FPN No. 2): See the referenced sections for permitted uses. 800-51. Listing Requirements. Communications wires and cables shall have a voltage rating of not less than 300 V and shall be listed in accordance with (a) through (i) below. (FPN): See Section 800-4 for listing requirement for equipment. (a) Type CMP. Type CMP communications plenum cable shall be listed as being suitable for use in ducts, plenums, and other space used for environmental air and shall also be listed as having adequate fire-resistant and low-smoke-producing characteristics. (FPN): One method of defining low-smoke-producing cables is by establishing an acceptable value of the smoke produced when tested in accordance with the Test for Fire and Smoke Characteristics of Wires and Cables, NFPA 262-1990 (ANSI) to a maximum peak optical density of 0.5 and a maximum average optical density of 0.15. Similarly, one method of defining fire-resistant cables is by establishing maximum allowable flame travel distance of 5 feet (1.52 m) when tested in accordance with the same test. (b) Type CMR. Type CMR communications riser cable shall be listed as being suitable for use in a vertical run in a shaft and shall also be listed as having fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire from floor to floor. 70-800 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE (FPN): One method of defining fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire from floor to floor is that the cables pass the requirements of the Standard Test for Flame Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cable Installed Vertically in Shafts, ANSI/UL 1666-1986. (c) Type CMG. Type CMG general-purpose communications cable shall be listed as being suitable for general-purpose communications use, with the exception of risers and plenums, and shall also be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire. (FPN): One method of defining resistant to the spread of fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 4 feet 11 inches (1.5 m) when performing the "Vertical Flame Test - - Cables in Cable Trays," as described in Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables, CSA C22.2 No. 0.3-M 1985. (d) Type CM. Type CM communications cable shall be listed as being suitable for general purpose communications use, with the exception of risers and plenums, and shall also be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire. (FPN): One method of defining resistant to the spread of fire is that the cables do not spread fire to the top of the tray in the "Vertical-Tray Flame Test" in the Reference 1581-1985. Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables and Flexible Cords, ANSI/UL Another method of defining resistant to the spread of fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 4 feet 11 inches (1.5 m) when performing the "Vertical Flame Test-Cables in Cable Trays," as described in Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables, CSA C22.2 No. 0.3-M-1985. (e) Type CMX. Type CMX limited use communications cable shall be listed as being suitable for use in dwellings and for use in raceway and shall also be listed as being flame-retardant. (FPN): One method of determining that cable is flame-retardant is by testing the cable to the "VW-1 (Vertical-Wire) Flame Test" in the Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables and Flexible Cords, ANSI/UL 1581-1985. (f) Type CMUC Undercarpet Wire and Cable. Type CMUC undercarpet communications wire and cable shall be listed as being suitable for undercarpet use and shall also be listed as being flame-retardant. (FPN): One method of determining that cable is flame-retardant is by testing the cable to the "VW-1 (Vertical-Wire) Flame Test" in the Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables and Flexible Cords, ANSI/UL 1581-1985. (g) Multipurpose (MP) Cables. Cables that meet the requirements for Types CMP, CMR, CMG, and CM and also satisfy the requirements of Sections 760-51(a) and (b) for multiconductor cables and Section 760-51(g) for coaxial cables shall be permitted to be listed and marked as Types MPP, MPR, MPG, and MP, respectively. (h) Communications Wires. Communications wires, such as distributing frame wire and jumper wire, shall be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire. (FPN): One method of defining resistant to the spread of fire is that the cables do not spread fire to the top of the tray in the "Vertical-Tray Flame Test" in the Reference 1581-1985. Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables and Flexible Cords, ANSI/UL ARTICLE 800 - COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS 70-801 Another method of defining resistant to the spread of fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 4 feet 11 inches (1.5 m) when performing the "Vertical Flame Test-Cables in Cable Trays," as described in Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables, CSA C22.2 No. 0.3-M-1985. (i) Hybrid Power and Communications Cable. Listed hybrid power and communications cable shall be permitted where the power cable is a listed Type NM conforming to the provisions of Article 336, and the communications cable is a listed Type CM, and the jackets on the listed NM and listed CM cables are rated for 600 volts minimum, and the hybrid cable is listed as being resistant to the spread of fire. (FPN): One method of defining resistant to the spread of fire is that the cables do not spread fire to the top of the tray in the "Vertical-Tray Flame Test" in the Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables and Flexible Cords, ANSI/UL 1581-1985. Another method of defining resistant to the spread of fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 4 feet 11 inches (1.5 m) when performing the "Vertical Flame Test-Cables in Cable Trays," as described in Test Methods for Electrical Wires and Cables, CSA C22.2 No. 0.3-M-1985. 800-52. Installation of Communications Wires, Cables, and Equipment. Communications wires and cables from the protector to the equipment or, where no protector is required, communications wires and cables attached to the outside or inside of the building shall comply with (a) through (c) below. (a) Separation from Other Conductors. (1) Open Conductors. Communications wires and cables shall be separated at least 2 inches (50.8 mm) from conductors of any electric light or power circuits, Class 1, or nonpower-limited fire protective signaling circuits. Exception No. 1: Where the electric light or power, Class 1, or nonpower-limited fire protective signaling circuit conductors are in a raceway or in metal-sheathed, metal-clad, nonmetallic-sheathed, Type AC, or Type UF cables. Exception No. 2: Where the communications wires and cables are permanently separated from the conductors of the other circuit by a continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor, such as porcelain tubes or flexible tubing, in addition to the insulation on the wire. (2) In Raceways, Boxes, and Cables. a. Other Power-Limited Circuits. Communications cables shall be permitted in the same raceway or enclosure with cables of any of the following: 1. Class 2 and Class 3 remote-control, signaling, and powerlimited circuits in compliance with Article 725. 2. Power-limited fire protective signaling systems in compliance with Article 760. 3. Nonconductive and conductive optical fiber cables in compliance with Article 770. 4. Community antenna television and radio distribution systems in compliance with Article 820. 70-802 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE b. Class 2 and Class 3 Circuits. Class 1 circuits shall not be run in the same cable with communications circuits. Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors shall be permitted in the same cable with communications circuits, in which case the Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall be classified as communications circuits and shall meet the requirements of this article. The cables shall be listed as communications cables or multipurpose cables. Exception: Cables constructed of individually listed Class 2, Class 3, and communications cables under a common jacket shall not be required to be classified as communications cable. The fire resistance rating of the composite cable shall be determined by the performance of the composite cable. c. Electric Light or Power Circuits. 1. Communications conductors shall not be placed in any raceway, compartment, outlet box, junction box, or similar fitting with conductors of electric light or power circuits or Class 1 circuits. Exception No. 1: Where all of the conductors of electric light or power, Class 1, or nonpower-limited fire protective signaling circuits are separated from all of the conductors of communications circuits by a barrier. Exception No. 2: Electric light or power, Class 1, or nonpower-limited fire protective signaling circuit conductors in outlet boxes, junction boxes, or similar fittings or compartments where such conductors are introduced solely for power supply to communications equipment or for connection to remote-control equipment. The electric light or power, Class 1, or nonpower-limited fire protective signaling circuit conductors shall be routed within the enclosure to maintain a minimum of 0.25 inch (6.35 mm) separation from the communications circuit conductors. 2. In shafts. Communications wires and cables run in the same shaft with conductors of electric light or power, Class 1, or nonpowerlimited fire protective signaling circuits shall be separated from light or power conductors, Class 1, or nonpower-limited fire protective signaling circuit conductors by not less than 2 inches (50.8 mm). Exception No. 1: Where either (1) all of the conductors of the electric light or power, Class 1 or nonpower-limited fire protective signaling circuits, or (2) all of the conductors of communications circuits are encased in raceway. Exception No. 2: Where the electric light or power, Class 1 or nonpower-limited fire protective signaling conductors are in a raceway, or in metal-sheathed, metal-clad, nonmetallic-sheathed, or Type UF cables. ARTICLE 800 - COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS 70-803 (b) Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. Installations in hollow spaces, vertical shafts, and ventilation or air-handling ducts shall be so made that the possible spread of fire or products of combustion will not be substantially increased. Openings around penetrations through fire resistance-rated walls, partitions, floors, or ceilings shall be firestopped using approved methods. (c) Equipment in Other Space Used for Environmental Air. Section 300-22(c) shall apply. (d) Cable Trays. Types MPP, MPR, MPG, and MP multipurpose cables and Types CMP, CMR, CMG, and CM communications cables shall be permitted to be installed in cable trays. (e) Support of Conductors. Raceways shall not be used as a means of support for communications wires and cables. 800-53. Applications of Listed Communications Wires and Cables. Communications wires and cables shall comply with (a) through (f) below. (a) Plenum. Cables installed in ducts, plenums, and other spaces used for environmental air shall be Type CMP. Exception: Types CMP, CMR, CMG, CM, and CMX and communications wire installed in compliance with Section 300-22. (b) Riser. Cables installed in vertical runs and penetrating more than one floor, or cables installed in vertical runs in a shaft, shall be Type CMR. Floor penetrations requiring Type CMR shall contain only cables suitable for riser or plenum use. (FPN): See Section 800-52(b) for firestop requirements for floor penetrations. Exception No. 1: Where the listed cables are encased in metal raceway or are located in a fireproof shaft having firestops at each floor. Exception No. 2: Types CM and CMX cable in one- and two-family dwellings. (c) Distributing Frames and Cross-Connect Arrays. Communications wires shall be used in distributing frames and cross-connect arrays. Exception: Types CMP, CMR, CMG, and CM are permitted to be used. (d) Other Wiring Within Buildings. Cables installed in building locations other than the locations covered in (a), (b), and (c) above shall be Type CMG or Type CM. Exception No. 1: Where listed communications wires and cables are enclosed in raceway. Exception No. 2: Type CMX communications cable in nonconcealed spaces where the exposed length of cable does not exceed 10 feet (3.05 m). Exception No. 3: Type CMX communications cables that are less than 0.25 inch (6.35 mm) in diameter and installed in one- or two-family dwellings. Exception No. 4: Type CMX communications wires and cables that are less than 0.25 inch (6.35 mm) in diameter and installed in nonconcealed spaces in multifamily dwellings. Exception No. 5: Type CMUC undercarpet communications wires and cables installed under carpet. 70-804 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE (e) Hybrid Power and Communications Cable. Hybrid power and communications cable listed in accordance with Section 800-51(i) shall be permitted to be installed in one-and two-family dwellings. (f) Cable Substitutions. Substitutions for communications cables listed in Table 800-53 and illustrated in Figure 800-53 shall be permitted. Table 800-53. Cable Substitutions Cable Type Permitted Substitutions MPP None CMP MPP MPR MPP CMR MPP, CMP, MPR MPG, MP MPP, MPR CMG, CM MPP, CMP, MPR, CMR, MPG, MP CMX MPP, CMP, MPR, CMR, MPG, MP, CMG, CM (FPN): For the use of communications cable and multipurpose cable in place of Class 2 or Class 3 cables, see Section 725-53(g), and, for the use of communications cable and multipurpose cable in place of power-limited fire protective signaling cables, see Section 760-53(d). The permitted cable substitutions are illustrated in Figure 800-53. MPP CMP CL3P FPLP CL2P Plenum MPR CMR CL3R FPLR CL2R Riser MPG MP CMG PLTC CM CL3 FPL General Purpose CL2 CMX CL3X A B Cable A Dwellings Shall be Permitted to be Used in CL2X Place of Cable B Type CM - Communications Wires and Cables A B Types CL2 and CL3 - Class 2 and Class 3 Remote-Control, Cable A Shall be Permitted Signaling, and Power-Limited Cables to be Used in Type FPL - Power-Limited Fire Protective Signaling Cables Place of Cable B Type MP - Multipurpose Cables with Restrictions. Type PLTC - - Power-Limited Tray Cable See Sec. 760-51 (a), (b), and (g) Figure 800-53. Cable Substitution Hierarchy