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725.144, Table 725.144 Transmission of Power and Data. (Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 Remote-Control, Signaling, and Power-Limited Circuits)

New

Change Summary

  • New 725.144 language and an accompanying Table 725.144 were added limiting bundle size on Class 2, and 3 cables. In addition a new optional Type “LP” (Limited Power) cable was introduced.
NEC® Text

725.144 Transmission of Power and Data. (Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 Remote-Control, Signaling, and Power-Limited Circuits)
The requirements of 725.144(A) and (B) shall apply to Class 2 and Class 3 circuits that transmit power and data to a powered device. The requirements of Parts I and III of Article 725 and 300.11 shall apply to Class 2 and Class 3 circuits that transmit power and data. The conductors that carry power for the data circuits shall be copper. The current in the power circuit shall not exceed the current limitation of the connectors.

Informational No. 1: One example of the use of cables that transmit power and data is the connection of closed-circuit TV cameras (CCTV).
Informational Note No. 2: The 8P8C connector is in widespread use with powered communications systems. These connectors are typically rated at 1.3 amperes maximum.

Table 725.144 Ampacities of Each Conductor in Amperes in 4-Pair Class 2 or Class 3 Data Cables Based on ® Copper Conductors at an Ambient Temperature of 30°C (86° F) with All Conductors in All Cables Carrying Current, 60°C (140°F), 75°C (167°F), and 90°C (194°F) Rated Cables.

(See Table 725.144 below)

(A) Use of Class 2 or Class 3 Cables to Transmit Power and Data. Where Types CL3P, CL2P, CL3R, CL2R, CL3, or CL2 transmit power and data, the following shall apply, as applicable:
(1) The ampacity ratings in Table 725.144 shall apply at an ambient temperature of 30°C (86°F).

(2) For ambient temperatures above 30°C (86°F), the correction factors of 310.15(B)(2) shall apply.

Informational Note: One example of the use of Class 2 cables is a network of closed- circuit TV cameras using 24 AWG, 60°C rated, Type CL2R, Category 5e local area network (LAN) cables.

(B) Use of Class 2-LP or Class 3-LP Cables to Transmit Power and Data. Types CL3P-LP, CL2P-LP, CL3R-LP, CL2R-LP, CL3-LP, or CL2-LP shall be permitted to supply power to equipment at a current level up to the marked ampere limit located immediately following the suffix LP and shall be permitted to transmit data to the equipment. The Class 2-LP and Class 3-LP cables shall comply with the following, as applicable:

Informational Note 1: The “(xxA)” following the suffix -LP indicates the ampacity of each conductor in a cable.
Informational Note 2: An example of a limited power (LP) cable is a cable marked Type CL2-LP(0.5A), 23 AWG. A Type CL2-LP (0.5), 23 AWG could be used in any location where a Type CL2 could be used; however, the LP cable would be suitable for carrying up to 0.5 A per conductor, regardless of the number of cables in a bundle. If used in a 7-cable bundle, the same cable could carry up to 1.2 amperes per conductor.

(1) Cables with the suffix “-LP” shall be permitted to be installed in bundles, raceways, cable trays, communications raceways, and cable routing assemblies.
(2) Cables with the suffix “-LP” and a marked ampere level shall follow the substitution hierarchy of Table 725.154 and Figure 725.154(A) for the cable type without the suffix “LP” and without the marked ampere level.
(3) System design shall be permitted by qualified persons under engineering supervision.

Copyright© 2016 National Fire Protection Association
(See NEC for complete text)

Expert Analysis

This Article 725.144 and the next article in this book 840.160 both cover to power-over-local area networking (LAN) cable and they are related. As a result we cover analysis for both articles together after article 840.160 on the next few pages.

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