The provisions of this article apply to the electrical safety of the installation, operation, and maintenance of emergency systems consisting of circuits and equipment intended to supply, distribute, and control electricity for illumination, power, or both, to required facilities when the normal electrical supply or system is interrupted.
Informational Note No. 1: For further information regarding wiring and installation of emergency systems in health care facilities, see Article 517.
Informational Note No. 2: For further information regarding performance and maintenance of emergency systems in health care facilities, see NFPA 99-2012, Health Care Facilities Code.
Informational Note No. 3: For specification of locations where emergency lighting is considered essential to life safety, see NFPA 101-2012, Life Safety Code.
Informational Note No. 4: For further information regarding performance of emergency and standby power systems, see NFPA 110-2013, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
Emergency Systems. Those systems legally required and classed as emergency by municipal, state, federal, or other codes, or by any governmental agency having jurisdiction. These systems are intended to automatically supply illumination, power, or both, to designated areas and equipment in the event of failure of the normal supply or in the event of accident to elements of a system intended to supply, distribute, and control power and illumination essential for safety to human life.
Informational Note: Emergency systems are generally installed in places of assembly where artificial illumination is required for safe exiting and for panic control in buildings subject to occupancy by large numbers of persons, such as hotels, theaters, sports arenas, health care facilities, and similar institutions. Emergency systems may also provide power for such functions as ventilation where essential to maintain life, fire detection and alarm systems, elevators, fire pumps, public safety communications systems, industrial processes where current interruption would produce serious life safety or health hazards, and similar functions.
Relay, Automatic Load Control. A device used to set normally dimmed or normally-off switched emergency lighting equipment to full power illumination levels in the event of a loss of the normal supply by bypassing the dimming/switching controls, and to return the emergency lighting equipment to normal status when the device senses the normal supply has been restored.
Informational Note: See ANSI/UL 924, Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment, for the requirements covering automatic load control relays.
The authority having jurisdiction shall conduct or witness a test of the complete system upon installation and periodically afterward.
Systems shall be tested periodically on a schedule acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction to ensure the systems are maintained in proper operating condition.
Where battery systems or unit equipments are involved, including batteries used for starting, control, or ignition in auxiliary engines, the authority having jurisdiction shall require periodic maintenance.
A written record shall be kept of such tests and maintenance.
Means for testing all emergency lighting and power systems during maximum anticipated load conditions shall be provided.
Informational Note: For information on testing and maintenance of emergency power supply systems (EPSSs), see NFPA 110-2013, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
The alternate power source shall be permitted to supply emergency, legally required standby, and optional standby system loads where the source has adequate capacity or where automatic selective load pickup and load shedding is provided as needed to ensure adequate power to (1) the emergency circuits, (2) the legally required standby circuits, and (3) the optional standby circuits, in that order of priority. The alternate power source shall be permitted to be used for peak load shaving, provided these conditions are met.
Transfer equipment, including automatic transfer switches, shall be automatic, identified for emergency use, and approved by the authority having jurisdiction. Transfer equipment shall be designed and installed to prevent the inadvertent interconnection of normal and emergency sources of supply in any operation of the transfer equipment. Transfer equipment and electric power production systems installed to permit operation in parallel with the normal source shall meet the requirements of Article 705.
Means shall be permitted to bypass and isolate the transfer equipment. Where bypass isolation switches are used, inadvertent parallel operation shall be avoided.
Automatic transfer switches shall be electrically operated and mechanically held. Automatic transfer switches, rated 1000 VAC and below, shall be listed for emergency system use.
To indicate derangement of the emergency source.
To indicate that the battery is carrying load.
To indicate that the battery charger is not functioning.
To indicate a ground fault in solidly grounded wye emergency systems of more than 150 volts to ground and circuit-protective devices rated 1000 amperes or more. The sensor for the ground-fault signal devices shall be located at, or ahead of, the main system disconnecting means for the emergency source, and the maximum setting of the signal devices shall be for a ground-fault current of 1200 amperes. Instructions on the course of action to be taken in event of indicated ground fault shall be located at or near the sensor location.
Informational Note: For signals for generator sets, see NFPA 110-2013, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
Where removal of a grounding or bonding connection in normal power source equipment interrupts the grounding electrode conductor connection to the alternate power source(s) grounded conductor, a warning sign shall be installed at the normal power source equipment stating:
WARNING
SHOCK HAZARD EXISTS IF GROUNDING
ELECTRODE CONDUCTOR OR BONDING JUMPER
CONNECTION IN THIS EQUIPMENT IS REMOVED
WHILE ALTERNATE SOURCE(S) IS ENERGIZED.
SHOCK HAZARD EXISTS IF GROUNDING
ELECTRODE CONDUCTOR OR BONDING JUMPER
CONNECTION IN THIS EQUIPMENT IS REMOVED
WHILE ALTERNATE SOURCE(S) IS ENERGIZED.
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with 110.21(B).
All boxes and enclosures (including transfer switches, generators, and power panels) for emergency circuits shall be permanently marked so they will be readily identified as a component of an emergency circuit or system.
Wiring of two or more emergency circuits supplied from the same source shall be permitted in the same raceway, cable, box, or cabinet. Wiring from an emergency source or emergency source distribution overcurrent protection to emergency loads shall be kept entirely independent of all other wiring and equipment, unless otherwise permitted in 700.10(B)(1) through (5):
- Wiring from the normal power source located in transfer equipment enclosures
- Wiring supplied from two sources in exit or emergency luminaires
- Wiring from two sources in a listed load control relay supplying exit or emergency luminaires, or in a common junction box, attached to exit or emergency luminaires
- Wiring within a common junction box attached to unit equipment, containing only the branch circuit supplying the unit equipment and the emergency circuit supplied by the unit equipment
- Wiring from an emergency source to supply emergency and other loads in accordance with 700.10(B)(5)a, b, c, and d as follows:
- Separate vertical switchgear sections or separate vertical switchboard sections, with or without a common bus, or individual disconnects mounted in separate enclosures shall be used to separate emergency loads from all other loads.
- The common bus of separate sections of the switch-gear, separate sections of the switchboard, or the individual enclosures shall be permitted to be supplied by single or multiple feeders without overcurrent protection at the source.
Exception to (5)b: Overcurrent protection shall be permitted at the source or for the equipment, provided that the overcurrent protection complies with the requirements of 700.28.
- Emergency circuits shall not originate from the same vertical switchgear section, vertical switchboard section, panelboard enclosure, or individual disconnect enclosure as other circuits.
- It shall be permissible to utilize single or multiple feeders to supply distribution equipment between an emergency source and the point where the emergency loads are separated from all other loads.
Emergency wiring circuits shall be designed and located so as to minimize the hazards that might cause failure due to flooding, fire, icing, vandalism, and other adverse conditions.
Emergency systems shall meet the additional requirements in (D)(1) through (D)(3) in assembly occupancies for not less than 1000 persons or in buildings above 23 m (75 ft) in height.
Feeder-circuit wiring shall meet one of the following conditions:
- Be installed in spaces or areas that are fully protected by an approved automatic fire suppression system
- Be a listed electrical circuit protective system with a minimum 2-hour fire rating Informational Note: UL guide information for electrical circuit protective systems (FHIT) contains information on proper installation requirements to maintain the fire rating.
- Be protected by a listed thermal barrier system for electrical system components with a minimum 2-hour fire rating
- Be protected by a listed fire-rated assembly that has a minimum fire rating of 2 hours and contains only emergency wiring circuits
- Be encased in a minimum of 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete
Equipment for feeder circuits (including transfer switches, transformers, and panelboards) shall be located either in spaces fully protected by approved automatic fire suppression systems (including sprinklers, carbon dioxide systems) or in spaces with a 2-hour fire resistance rating.
Control conductors installed between the transfer equipment and the emergency generator shall be kept entirely independent of all other wiring and shall meet the conditions of 700.10(D)(1).
Current supply shall be such that, in the event of failure of the normal supply to, or within, the building or group of buildings concerned, emergency lighting, emergency power, or both shall be available within the time required for the application but not to exceed 10 seconds. The supply system for emergency purposes, in addition to the normal services to the building and meeting the general requirements of this section, shall be one or more of the types of systems described in 700.12(A) through (E). Unit equipment in accordance with 700.12(F) shall satisfy the applicable requirements of this article.
In selecting an emergency source of power, consideration shall be given to the occupancy and the type of service to be rendered, whether of minimum duration, as for evacuation of a theater, or longer duration, as for supplying emergency power and lighting due to an indefinite period of current failure from trouble either inside or outside the building.
Equipment shall be designed and located so as to minimize the hazards that might cause complete failure due to flooding, fires, icing, and vandalism.
Equipment for sources of power as described in 700.12(A) through (E) where located within assembly occupancies for greater than 1000 persons or in buildings above 23 m (75 ft) in height with any of the following occupancy classes — assembly, educational, residential, detention and correctional, business, and mercantile — shall be installed either in spaces fully protected by approved automatic fire suppression systems (sprinklers, carbon dioxide systems, and so forth) or in spaces with a 1-hour fire rating.
Informational Note No. 1: For the definition of Occupancy Classification, see Section 6.1 of NFPA 101-2012, Life Safety Code.
Informational Note No. 2: For further information, see ANSI/IEEE 493-2007, Recommended Practice forth Design of Reliable Industrial and Commercial Power Systems.
Storage batteries used as a source of power for emergency systems shall be of suitable rating and capacity to supply and maintain the total load for a minimum period of 11/2 hours, without the voltage applied to the load falling below 871/2 percent of normal.
Batteries, whether of the acid or alkali type, shall be designed and constructed to meet the requirements of emergency service and shall be compatible with the charger for that particular installation.
For a sealed battery, the container shall not be required to be transparent. However, for the lead acid battery that requires water additions, transparent or translucent containers shall be furnished. Automotive-type batteries shall not be used.
An automatic battery charging means shall be provided.
For a generator set driven by a prime mover acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and sized in accordance with 700.4, means shall be provided for automatically starting the prime mover on failure of the normal service and for automatic transfer and operation of all required electrical circuits. A time-delay feature permitting a 15-minute setting shall be provided to avoid retransfer in case of short-time reestablishment of the normal source.
Where internal combustion engines are used as the prime mover, an on-site fuel supply shall be provided with an on-premises fuel supply sufficient for not less than 2 hours' full-demand operation of the system. Where power is needed for the operation of the fuel transfer pumps to deliver fuel to a generator set day tank, this pump shall be connected to the emergency power system.
Prime movers shall not be solely dependent on a public utility gas system for their fuel supply or municipal water supply for their cooling systems. Means shall be provided for automatically transferring from one fuel supply to another where dual fuel supplies are used.
Exception: Where acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction, the use of other than on-site fuels shall be permitted where there is a low probability of a simultaneous failure of both the off-site fuel delivery system and power from the outside electrical utility company.
Where a storage battery is used for control or signal power or as the means of starting the prime mover, it shall be suitable for the purpose and shall be equipped with an automatic charging means independent of the generator set. Where the battery charger is required for the operation of the generator set, it shall be connected to the emergency system. Where power is required for the operation of dampers used to ventilate the generator set, the dampers shall be connected to the emergency system.
Generator sets that require more than 10 seconds to develop power shall be permitted if an auxiliary power supply energizes the emergency system until the generator can pick up the load.
Where an outdoor housed generator set is equipped with a readily accessible disconnecting means in accordance with 445.18, and the disconnecting means is located within sight of the building or structure supplied, an additional disconnecting means shall not be required where ungrounded conductors serve or pass through the building or structure. Where the generator supply conductors terminate at a disconnecting means in or on a building or structure, the disconnecting means shall meet the requirements of 225.36.
Exception: For installations under single management, where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons will monitor and service the installation and where documented safe switching procedures are established and maintained for disconnection, the generator set disconnecting means shall not be required to be located within sight of the building or structure served.
Uninterruptible power supplies used to provide power for emergency systems shall comply with the applicable provisions of 700.12(A) and (B).
Where approved by the authority having jurisdiction as suitable for use as an emergency source of power, an additional service shall be permitted. This service shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article 230 and the following additional requirements:
- Separate overhead service conductors, service drops, underground service conductors, or service laterals shall be installed.
- The service conductors for the separate service shall be installed sufficiently remote electrically and physically from any other service conductors to minimize the possibility of simultaneous interruption of supply.
Fuel cell systems used as a source of power for emergency systems shall be of suitable rating and capacity to supply and maintain the total load for not less than 2 hours of full-demand operation.
Installation of a fuel cell system shall meet the requirements of Parts II through VIII of Article 692.
Where a single fuel cell system serves as the normal supply for the building or group of buildings concerned, it shall not serve as the sole source of power for the emergency standby system.
Individual unit equipment for emergency illumination shall consist of the following:
Unit equipment shall be installed in accordance with 700.12(F)(2)(1) through (6).
- The batteries shall be of suitable rating and capacity to supply and maintain at not less than 871/2 percent of the nominal battery voltage for the total lamp load associated with the unit for a period of at least 11/2 hours, or the unit equipment shall supply and maintain not less than 60 percent of the initial emergency illumination for a period of at least 11/2 hours. Storage batteries, whether of the acid or alkali type, shall be designed and constructed to meet the requirements of emergency service.
- Unit equipment shall be permanently fixed in place (i.e., not portable) and shall have all wiring to each unit installed in accordance with the requirements of any of the wiring methods in Chapter 3. Flexible cord-and-plug connection shall be permitted, provided that the cord does not exceed 900 mm (3 ft) in length.
- The branch circuit feeding the unit equipment shall be the same branch circuit as that serving the normal lighting in the area and connected ahead of any local switches.
Exception: In a separate and uninterrupted area supplied by a minimum of three normal lighting circuits that are not part of a multiwire branch circuit, a separate branch circuit for unit equipment shall be permitted if it originates from the same panelboard as that of the normal lighting circuits and is provided with a lock-on feature.
- The branch circuit that feeds unit equipment shall be clearly identified at the distribution panel.
- Emergency luminaires that obtain power from a unit equipment and are not part of the unit equipment shall be wired to the unit equipment as required by 700.10 and by one of the wiring methods of Chapter 3.
- Remote heads providing lighting for the exterior of an exit door shall be permitted to be supplied by the unit equipment serving the area immediately inside the exit door.
No appliances and no lamps, other than those specified as required for emergency use, shall be supplied by emergency lighting circuits.
Emergency illumination shall include all required means of egress lighting, illuminated exit signs, and all other lights specified as necessary to provide required illumination.
Emergency lighting systems shall be designed and installed so that the failure of any individual lighting element, such as the burning out of a lamp, cannot leave in total darkness any space that requires emergency illumination.
Where high-intensity discharge lighting such as high- and low-pressure sodium, mercury vapor, and metal halide is used as the sole source of normal illumination, the emergency lighting system shall be required to operate until normal illumination has been restored.
Where an emergency system is installed, emergency illumination shall be provided in the area of the disconnecting means required by 225.31 and 230.70, as applicable, where the disconnecting means are installed indoors.
Exception: Alternative means that ensure that the emergency lighting illumination level is maintained shall be permitted.
Branch circuits that supply emergency lighting shall be installed to provide service from a source complying with 700.12 when the normal supply for lighting is interrupted. Such installations shall provide either of the following:
- An emergency lighting supply, independent of the normal lighting supply, with provisions for automatically transferring the emergency lights upon the event of failure of the normal lighting branch circuit
- Two or more branch circuits supplied from separate and complete systems with independent power sources. One of the two power sources and systems shall be part of the emergency system, and the other shall be permitted to be part of the normal power source and system. Each system shall provide sufficient power for emergency lighting purposes. Unless both systems are used for regular lighting purposes and are both kept lighted, means shall be provided for automatically energizing either system upon failure of the other. Either or both systems shall be permitted to be a part of the general lighting of the protected occupancy if circuits supplying lights for emergency illumination are installed in accordance with other sections of this article.
For branch circuits that supply equipment classed as emergency, there shall be an emergency supply source to which the load will be transferred automatically upon the failure of the normal supply.
The branch circuit serving emergency lighting and power circuits shall not be part of a multiwire branch circuit.
The switch or switches installed in emergency lighting circuits shall be arranged so that only authorized persons have control of emergency lighting.
Exception No. 1: Where two or more single-throw switches are connected in parallel to control a single circuit, atleast one of these switches shall be accessible only to authorized persons.
Exception No. 2: Additional switches that act only to put emergency lights into operation but not disconnect them shall be permissible.
Switches connected in series or 3- and 4-way switches shall not be used.
All manual switches for controlling emergency circuits shall be in locations convenient to authorized persons responsible for their actuation. In facilities covered by Articles 518 and 520, a switch for controlling emergency lighting systems shall be located in the lobby or at a place conveniently accessible thereto.
In no case shall a control switch for emergency lighting be placed in a motion-picture projection booth or on a stage or platform.
Exception: Where multiple switches are provided, one such switch shall be permitted in such locations where arranged so that it can only energize the circuit but cannot de-energize the circuit.
A dimmer or relay system containing more than one dimmer or relay and listed for use in emergency systems shall be permitted to be used as a control device for energizing emergency lighting circuits. Upon failure of normal power, the dimmer or relay system shall be permitted to selectively energize only those branch circuits required to provide minimum emergency illumination. All branch circuits supplied by the dimmer or relay system cabinet shall comply with the wiring methods of Article 700.
Where emergency illumination is provided by one or more directly controlled luminaires that respond to an external control input to bypass normal control upon loss of normal power, such luminaires and external bypass controls shall be individually listed for use in emergency systems.
If an emergency lighting load is automatically energized upon loss of the normal supply, a listed automatic load control relay shall be permitted to energize the load. The load control relay shall not be used as transfer equipment.
The branch-circuit overcurrent devices in emergency circuits shall be accessible to authorized persons only.
The alternate source for emergency systems shall not be required to have ground-fault protection of equipment with automatic disconnecting means. Ground-fault indication of the emergency source shall be provided in accordance with 700.6(D) if ground-fault protection of equipment with automatic disconnecting means is not provided.
Emergency system(s) overcurrent devices shall be selectively coordinated with all supply-side overcurrent protective devices.
Selective coordination shall be selected by a licensed professional engineer or other qualified persons engaged primarily in the design, installation, or maintenance of electrical systems. The selection shall be documented and made available to those authorized to design, install, inspect, maintain, and operate the system.
Exception: Selective coordination shall not be required between two overcurrent devices located in series if no loads are connected in parallel with the downstream device.
The provisions of this article apply to the electrical safety of the installation, operation, and maintenance of legally required standby systems consisting of circuits and equipment intended to supply, distribute, and control electricity to required facilities for illumination or power, or both, when the normal electrical supply or system is interrupted.
The systems covered by this article consist only of those that are permanently installed in their entirety, including the power source.
Informational Note No. 1: For additional information, see NFPA 99-2012. Health Care Facilities Code.
Informational Note No. 2: For further information regarding performance of emergency and standby power systems, see NFPA 110-2013, Standard for Emergency and Stand by Power Systems.
Informational Note No. 3: For further information, see ANSI/IEEE 446-1995, Recommended Practice for Emergency and Standby Power Systems for Industrial and Commercial Applications.
Legally Required Standby Systems. Those systems required and so classed as legally required standby by municipal, state, federal, or other codes or by any governmental agency having jurisdiction. These systems are intended to automatically supply power to selected loads (other than those classed as emergency systems) in the event of failure of the normal source.
Informational Note: Legally required standby systems are typically installed to serve loads, such as heating and refrigeration systems, communications systems, ventilation and smoke removal systems, sewage disposal, lighting systems, and industrial processes, that, when stopped during any interruption of the normal electrical supply, could create hazards or hamper rescue or fire-fighting operations.
The authority having jurisdiction shall conduct or witness a test of the complete system upon installation.
Systems shall be tested periodically on a schedule and in a manner acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction to ensure the systems are maintained in proper operating condition.
Where batteries are used for control, starting, or ignition of prime movers, the authority having jurisdiction shall require periodic maintenance
A written record shall be kept on such tests and maintenance.
Means for testing legally required standby systems under load shall be provided.
Informational Note: For information on testing and maintenance of emergency power supply systems (EPSSs), see NFPA 110-2013, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
A legally required standby system shall have adequate capacity and rating for the supply of all equipment intended to be operated at one time. Legally required standby system equipment shall be suitable for the maximum available fault current at its terminals
The legally required standby alternate power source shall be permitted to supply both legally required standby and optional standby system loads under either of the following conditions:
- Where the alternate source has adequate capacity to handle all connected loads
- Where automatic selective load pickup and load shedding is provided that will ensure adequate power to the legally required standby circuits
Transfer equipment, including automatic transfer switches, shall be automatic and identified for standby use and approved by the authority having jurisdiction. Transfer equipment shall be designed and installed to prevent the inadvertent interconnection of normal and alternate sources of supply in any operation of the transfer equipment. Transfer equipment and electric power production systems installed to permit operation in parallel with the normal source shall meet the requirements of Article 705.
Means to bypass and isolate the transfer switch equipment shall be permitted. Where bypass isolation switches are used, inadvertent parallel operation shall be avoided.
Automatic transfer switches shall be electrically operated and mechanically held. Automatic transfer switches, rated 1000 VAC and below, shall be listed for emergency use.
To indicate derangement of the standby source.
To indicate that the standby source is carrying load.
To indicate that the battery charger is not functioning.
Informational Note: For signals for generator sets, see NFPA 110-2013, Standard for Emergency and Stand by Power Systems.
To indicate a ground-fault in solidly grounded wye, legally required standby systems of more than 150 volts to ground and circuit-protective devices rated 1000 amperes or more. The sensor for the ground-fault signal devices shall be located at, or ahead of, the main system disconnecting means for the legally required standby source, and the maximum setting of the signal devices shall be for a ground-fault current of 1200 amperes. Instructions on the course of action to be taken in event of indicated ground fault shall be located at or near the sensor location.
Informational Note: For signals for generator sets, see NFPA 110-2013, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
Where removal of a grounding or bonding connection in normal power source equipment interrupts the grounding electrode conductor connection to the alternate power source(s) grounded conductor, a warning sign shall be installed at the normal power source equipment stating:
WARNING
SHOCK HAZARD EXISTS IF GROUNDING
ELECTRODE CONDUCTOR OR BONDING JUMPER
CONNECTION IN THIS EQUIPMENT IS REMOVED
WHILE ALTERNATE SOURCE(S) IS ENERGIZED.
SHOCK HAZARD EXISTS IF GROUNDING
ELECTRODE CONDUCTOR OR BONDING JUMPER
CONNECTION IN THIS EQUIPMENT IS REMOVED
WHILE ALTERNATE SOURCE(S) IS ENERGIZED.
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with 110.21(B).
Current supply shall be such that, in the event of failure of the normal supply to, or within, the building or group of buildings concerned, legally required standby power will be available within the time required for the application but not to exceed 60 seconds. The supply system for legally required standby purposes, in addition to the normal services to the building, shall be permitted to comprise one or more of the types of systems described in 701.12(A) through (F). Unit equipment in accordance with 701.12(G) shall satisfy the applicable requirements of this article.
In selecting a legally required standby source of power, consideration shall be given to the type of service to be rendered, whether of short-time duration or long duration.
Consideration shall be given to the location or design, or both, of all equipment to minimize the hazards that might cause complete failure due to floods, fires, icing, and vandalism.
Informational Note: For further information, see ANSI /IEEE 493-2007, Recommended Practice for the Design of Reliable Industrial and Commercial Power Systems.
A storage battery shall be of suitable rating and capacity to supply and maintain at not less than 871/2 percent of system voltage the total load of the circuits supplying legally required standby power for a period of at least 11/2 hours.
Batteries, whether of the acid or alkali type, shall be designed and constructed to meet the service requirements of emergency service and shall be compatible with the charger for that particular installation.
For a sealed battery, the container shall not be required to be transparent. However, for the lead acid battery that requires water additions, transparent or translucent containers shall be furnished. Automotive-type batteries shall not be used.
An automatic battery charging means shall be provided.
For a generator set driven by a prime mover acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and sized in accordance with 701.4, means shall be provided for automatically starting the prime mover upon failure of the normal service and for automatic transfer and operation of all required electrical circuits. A time-delay feature permitting a 15-minute setting shall be provided to avoid retransfer in case of short-time re-establishment of the normal source.
Where internal combustion engines are used as the prime mover, an on-site fuel supply shall be provided with an on-premises fuel supply sufficient for not less than 2 hours of full-demand operation of the system. Where power is needed for the operation of the fuel transfer pumps to deliver fuel to a generator set day tank, the pumps shall be connected to the legally required standby power system.
Prime movers shall not be solely dependent on a public utility gas system for their fuel supply or on a municipal water supply for their cooling systems. Means shall be provided for automatically transferring one fuel supply to another where dual fuel supplies are used.
Exception: Where acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction, the use of other than on-site fuels shall be permitted where there is a low probability of a simultaneous failure of both the off-site fuel delivery system and power from the outside electrical utility company.
Where a storage battery is used for control or signal power or as the means of starting the prime mover, it shall be suitable for the purpose and shall be equipped with an automatic charging means independent of the generator set.
Where an outdoor housed generator set is equipped with a readily accessible disconnecting means in accordance with 445.18, and the disconnecting means is located within sight of the building or structure supplied, an additional disconnecting means shall not be required where ungrounded conductors serve or pass through the building or structure. Where the generator supply conductors terminate at a disconnecting means in or on a building or structure, the disconnecting means shall meet the requirements of 225.36.
Uninterruptible power supplies used to provide power for legally required standby systems shall comply with the applicable provisions of 701.12(A) and (B).
Where approved, a separate service shall be permitted as a legally required source of standby power. This service shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article 230, with a separate service drop or lateral or a separate set of overhead or underground service conductors sufficiently remote electrically and physically from any other service to minimize the possibility of simultaneous interruption of supply from an occurrence in another service.
Where acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction, connections located ahead of and not within the same cabinet, enclosure, vertical switchgear section, or vertical switchboard section as the service disconnecting means shall be permitted. The legally required standby service shall be sufficiently separated from the normal main service disconnecting means to minimize simultaneous interruption of supply through an occurrence within the building or groups of buildings served.
Informational Note: See 230.82 for equipment permitted on the supply side of a service disconnecting means.
Fuel cell systems used as a source of power for legally required standby systems shall be of suitable rating and capacity to supply and maintain the total load for not less than 2 hours of full-demand operation.
Installation of a fuel cell system shall meet the requirements of Parts II through VIII of Article 692.
Where a single fuel cell system serves as the normal supply for the building or group of buildings concerned, it shall not serve as the sole source of power for the legally required standby system.
Individual unit equipment for legally required standby illumination shall consist of the following:
- A rechargeable battery
- A battery charging means
- Provisions for one or more lamps mounted on the equipment and shall be permitted to have terminals for remote lamps
- A relaying device arranged to energize the lamps automatically upon failure of the supply to the unit equipment
The batteries shall be of suitable rating and capacity to supply and maintain at not less than 871/2 percent of the nominal battery voltage for the total lamp load associated with the unit for a period of at least 11/2 hours, or the unit equipment shall supply and maintain not less than 60 percent of the initial legally required standby illumination for a period of at least 11/2 hours. Storage batteries, whether of the acid or alkali type, shall be designed and constructed to meet the requirements of emergency service.
Unit equipment shall be permanently fixed in place (i.e., not portable) and shall have all wiring to each unit installed in accordance with the requirements of any of the wiring methods in Chapter 3. Flexible cord-and-plug connection shall be permitted, provided that the cord does not exceed 900 mm (3 ft) in length. The branch circuit feeding the unit equipment shall be the same branch circuit as that serving the normal lighting in the area and connected ahead of any local switches. Legally required standby luminaires that obtain power from a unit equipment and are not part of the unit equipment shall be wired to the unit equipment by one of the wiring methods of Chapter 3.
Exception: In a separate and uninterrupted area supplied by a minimum of three normal lighting circuits, a separate branch circuit for unit equipment shall be permitted if it originates from the same panelboard as that of the normal lighting circuits and is provided with a lock-on feature.
The branch-circuit overcurrent devices in legally required standby circuits shall be accessible to authorized persons only.
The alternate source for legally required standby systems shall not be required to have ground-fault protection of equipment with automatic disconnecting means. Ground-fault indication of the legally required standby source shall be provided in accordance with 701.6(D) if ground-fault protection of equipment with automatic disconnecting means is not provided.
Legally required standby system(s) overcurrent devices shall be selectively coordinated with all supply-side overcurrent protective devices.
Selective coordination shall be selected by a licensed professional engineer or other qualified persons engaged primarily in the design, installation, or maintenance of electrical systems. The selection shall be documented and made available to those authorized to design, install, inspect, maintain, and operate the system.
Exception: Selective coordination shall not be required between two overcurrent devices located in series if no loads are connected in parallel with the downstream device.
The provisions of this article apply to the installation and operation of optional standby systems.
The systems covered by this article consist of those that are permanently installed in their entirety, including prime movers, and those that are arranged for a connection to a premises wiring system from a portable alternate power supply.
Optional Standby Systems. Those systems intended to supply power to public or private facilities or property where life safety does not depend on the performance of the system. These systems are intended to supply on-site generated power to selected loads either automatically or manually.
Informational Note: Optional standby systems are typically installed to provide an alternate source of electric power for such facilities as industrial and commercial buildings, farms, and residences and to serve loads such as heating and refrigeration systems, data processing and communications systems, and industrial processes that, when stopped during any power outage, could cause discomfort, serious interruption of the process, damage to the product or process, or the like.
The calculations of load on the standby source shall be made in accordance with Article 220 or by another approved method.
Where automatic transfer equipment is used, an optional standby system shall comply with (2)(a) or (2)(b).
(a) Full Load. The standby source shall be capable of supplying the full load that is transferred by the automatic transfer equipment.
(b) Load Management. Where a system is employed that will automatically manage the connected load, the standby source shall have a capacity sufficient to supply the maximum load that will be connected by the load management system.
Transfer equipment shall be suitable for the intended use and designed and installed so as to prevent the inadvertent interconnection of normal and alternate sources of supply in any operation of the transfer equipment. Transfer equipment and electric power production systems installed to permit operation in parallel with the normal source shall meet the requirements of Article 705.
Transfer equipment, located on the load side of branch circuit protection, shall be permitted to contain supplemental overcurrent protection having an interrupting rating sufficient for the available fault current that the generator can deliver. The supplementary overcurrent protection devices shall be part of a listed transfer equipment.
Transfer equipment shall be required for all standby systems subject to the provisions of this article and for which an electric utility supply is either the normal or standby source.
Exception: Temporary connection of a portable generator without transfer equipment shall be permitted where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation and where the normal supply is physically isolated by a lockable disconnecting means or by disconnection of the normal supply conductors.
Audible and visual signal devices shall be provided, where practicable, for the following purposes.
To indicate derangement of the optional standby source.
To indicate that the optional standby source is carrying load.
Exception: Signals shall not be required for portable standby power sources.
Where removal of a grounding or bonding connection in normal power source equipment interrupts the grounding electrode conductor connection to the alternate power source(s) grounded conductor, a warning sign shall be installed at the normal power source equipment stating:
WARNING
SHOCK HAZARD EXISTS IF GROUNDING
ELECTRODE CONDUCTOR OR BONDING JUMPER
CONNECTION IN THIS EQUIPMENT IS REMOVED
WHILE ALTERNATE SOURCE(S) IS ENERGIZED.
SHOCK HAZARD EXISTS IF GROUNDING
ELECTRODE CONDUCTOR OR BONDING JUMPER
CONNECTION IN THIS EQUIPMENT IS REMOVED
WHILE ALTERNATE SOURCE(S) IS ENERGIZED.
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with 110.21(B).
Where a power inlet is used for a temporary connection to a portable generator, a warning sign shall be placed near the inlet to indicate the type of derived system that the system is capable of based on the wiring of the transfer equipment. The sign shall display one of the following warnings:
or
WARNING:
FOR CONNECTION OF A NONSEPARATELY
DERIVED (FLOATING NEUTRAL) SYSTEM ONLY
FOR CONNECTION OF A NONSEPARATELY
DERIVED (FLOATING NEUTRAL) SYSTEM ONLY
Where a portable optional standby source is used as a separately derived system, it shall be grounded to a grounding electrode in accordance with 250.30.
Where a portable optional standby source is used as a nonseparately derived system, the equipment grounding conductor shall be bonded to the system grounding electrode.
Where an outdoor housed generator set is equipped with a readily accessible disconnecting means in accordance with 445.18, and the disconnecting means is located within sight of the building or structure supplied, an additional disconnecting means shall not be required where ungrounded conductors serve or pass through the building or structure. Where the generator supply conductors terminate at a disconnecting means in or on a building or structure, the disconnecting means shall meet the requirements of 225.36.
Where a portable generator, rated 15 kW or less, is installed using a flanged inlet or other cord- and plug-type connection, a disconnecting means shall not be required where ungrounded conductors serve or pass through a building or structure.
This article covers installation of one or more electric power production sources operating in parallel with a primary source(s) of electricity.
Informational Note: Examples of the types of primary sources include a utility supply or an on-site electric power source(s).
Multimode Inverter. Equipment having the capabilities of both the utility-interactive inverter and the stand-alone inverter.
Power Production Equipment. The generating source, and all distribution equipment associated with it, that generates electricity from a source other than a utility supplied service.
Informational Note: Examples of power production equipment include such items as generators, solar photovoltaic systems, and fuel cell systems.
Utility-Interactive Inverter Output Circuit. The conductors between the utility interactive inverter and the service equipment or another electric power production source, such as a utility, for electrical production and distribution network.
Interconnected electric power production sources shall comply with this article and also with the applicable requirements of the articles in Table 705.3.
Table 705.3 Other Articles
| Equipment/System | Article |
|---|---|
| Generators | 445 |
| Solar photovoltaic systems | 690 |
| Fuel cell systems | 692 |
| Wind electric systems | 694 |
| Emergency systems | 700 |
| Legally required standby systems | 701 |
| Optional standby systems | 702 |
All equipment shall be approved for the intended use. Utility-interactive inverters for interconnection systems shall be listed and identified for interconnection service.
Installation of one or more electrical power production sources operating in parallel with a primary source(s) of electricity shall be installed only by qualified persons.
Informational Note: See Article 100 for the definition of Qualified Person.
A permanent plaque or directory, denoting all electric power sources on or in the premises, shall be installed at each service equipment location and at locations of all electric power production sources capable of being interconnected.
Exception: Installations with large numbers of power production sources shall be permitted to be designated by groups.
The output of an interconnected electric power source shall be connected as specified in 705.12(A), (B), (C), or (D).
An electric power production source shall be permitted to be connected to the supply side of the service disconnecting means as permitted in 230.82(6). The sum of the ratings of all overcurrent devices connected to power production sources shall not exceed the rating of the service.
The outputs shall be permitted to be interconnected at a point or points elsewhere on the premises where the system qualifies as an integrated electrical system and incorporates protective equipment in accordance with all applicable sections of Article 685.
The outputs shall be permitted to be interconnected at a point or points elsewhere on the premises where all of the following conditions are met:
- The aggregate of non-utility sources of electricity has a capacity in excess of 100 kW, or the service is above 1000 volts.
- The conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that qualified persons service and operate the system.
- Safeguards, documented procedures, and protective equipment are established and maintained.
The output of a utility interactive inverter shall be permitted to be connected to the load side of the service disconnecting means of the other source(s) at any distribution equipment on the premises. Where distribution equipment, including switchgear, switchboards, or panelboards, is fed simultaneously by a primary source(s) of electricity and one or more utility interactive inverters, and where this distribution equipment is capable of supplying multiple branch circuits or feeders, or both, the interconnecting provisions for the utility interactive inverter(s) shall comply with 705.12(D)(1) through (D)(6).
The source interconnection of one or more inverters installed in one system shall be made at a dedicated circuit breaker or fusible disconnecting means.
One hundred twenty-five percent of the inverter output circuit current shall be used in ampacity calculations for the following:
- Feeders. Where the inverter output connection is made to a feeder at a location other than the opposite end of the feeder from the primary source overcurrent device, that portion of the feeder on the load side of the inverter output connection shall be protected by one of the following:
- The feeder ampacity shall be not less than the sum of the primary source overcurrent device and 125 percent of the inverter output circuit current.
- An overcurrent device on the load side of the inverter connection shall be rated not greater than the ampacity of the feeder.
- Taps. In systems where inverter output connections are made at feeders, any taps shall be sized based on the sum of 125 percent of the inverter(s) output circuit current and the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the feeder conductors as calculated in 240.21(B).
- Busbars. One of the methods that follows shall be used to determine the ratings of busbars in panelboards.
(a) The sum of 125 percent of the inverter(s) output circuit current and the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the busbar shall not exceed the ampacity of the busbar.
Informational Note: This general rule assumes no limitation in the number of the loads or sources applied to busbars or their locations.
(b) Where two sources, one a utility and the other an inverter, are located at opposite ends of a busbar that contains loads, the sum of 125 percent of the inverter(s) output circuit current and the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the busbar shall not exceed 120 percent of the ampacity of the busbar. The busbar shall be sized lor the loads connected in accordance with Article 220. A permanent warning label shall be applied to the distribution equipment adjacent to the back-fed breaker from the inverter that displays the following or equivalent wording:
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with 110.21(B).
(c) The sum of the ampere ratings of all overcurrent devices on panelboards, both load and supply devices, excluding the rating of the overcurrent device protecting the busbar, shall not exceed the ampacity of the busbar. The rating of the overcurrent device protecting the busbar shall not exceed the rating of the busbar. Permanent warning labels shall be applied to distribution equipment that displays the following or equivalent wording:
WARNING:
THIS EQUIPMENT FED BY MULTIPLE SOURCES.
TOTAL RATING OF ALL OVERCURRENT DEVICES,
EXCLUDING MAIN SUPPLY OVERCURRENT
DEVICE,
SHALL NOT EXCEED AMPACITY OF BUSBAR.
THIS EQUIPMENT FED BY MULTIPLE SOURCES.
TOTAL RATING OF ALL OVERCURRENT DEVICES,
EXCLUDING MAIN SUPPLY OVERCURRENT
DEVICE,
SHALL NOT EXCEED AMPACITY OF BUSBAR.
The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with 110.21(B).
(d) Connections shall be permitted on multiple-ampacity busbars or center-fed panelboards where designed under engineering supervision that includes fault studies and busbar load calculations.
(e) A connection at either end, but not both ends, of a center-fed panel board in dwellings shall be
permitted where the sum of 125 percent of the power source(s) output circuit current and the rating of
the overcurrent device protecting the busbar does not exceed 120 percent of the current rating of the
busbar.
Equipment containing overcurrent devices in circuits supplying power to a busbar or conductor supplied from multiple sources shall be marked to indicate the presence of all sources.
Circuit breakers, if backfed, shall be suitable for such operation.
Informational Note: Fused disconnects, unless otherwise marked, are suitable for backfeeding.
Listed plug-in-type circuit breakers backfed from utility-interactive inverters that are listed and identified as interactive shall be permitted to omit the additional fastener normally required by 408.36(D) for such applications.
A utility-interactive inverter(s) that has a wire harness or cable output circuit rated 240 V, 30 amperes, or less, that is not installed within an enclosed raceway, shall be provided with listed ac AFCI protection.
The output of a generator or other electric power production source operating in parallel with an electrical supply system shall be compatible with the voltage, wave shape, and frequency of the system to which it is connected.
Informational Note: The term compatible does not necessarily mean matching the primary source wave shape.
Consideration shall be given to the contribution of fault currents from all interconnected power sources for the interrupting and short-circuit current ratings of equipment on interactive systems.
Means shall be provided to disconnect all ungrounded conductors of an electric power production source(s) from all other conductors.
Means shall be provided to disconnect power production equipment, such as utility interactive inverters or transformers associated with a power production source, from all ungrounded conductors of all sources of supply. Equipment intended to be operated and maintained as an integral part of a power production source exceeding 1000 volts shall not be required to have a disconnecting means.
The disconnecting means for ungrounded conductors shall consist of a manually or power operable switch(es) or circuit breaker(s) with the following features:
- Located where readily accessible
- Externally operable without exposing the operator to contact with live parts and, if power operable, of a type that could be opened by hand in the event of a powersupply failure
- Plainly indicating whether in the open (off) or closed (on) position
- Having ratings not less than the load to be carried and the fault current to be interrupted. For disconnect equipment energized from both sides, a marking shall be provided to indicate that all contacts of the disconnect equipment might be energized.
- Simultaneous disconnect of all ungrounded conductors of the circuit
- Capable of being locked in the open (off) position
Conductors shall be protected in accordance with Article 240. Equipment and conductors connected to more than one electrical source shall have a sufficient number of overcurrent devices located so as to provide protection from all sources.
Solar photovoltaic systems shall be protected in accordance with Article 690.
Overcurrent protection for a transformer with a source(s) on each side shall be provided in accordance with 450.3 by considering first one side of the transformer, then the other side of the transformer, as the primary.
Fuel cell systems shall be protected in accordance with Article 692.
Utility-interactive inverters shall be protected in accordance with 705.65.
Generators shall be protected in accordance with 705.130.
Overcurrent protection for electric power production source conductors, connected to the supply side of the service disconnecting means in accordance with 705.12(A), shall be located within 3m (10 ft) of the point where the electric power production source conductors are connected to the service.
Informational Note: This overcurrent protection protects against short-circuit current supplied from the primary source(s) of electricity.
Exception: Where the overcurrent protection for the power production source is located more than 3 m (10 ft) from the point of connection for the electric power production source to the service, cable limiters or current-limited circuit breakers for each ungrounded conductor shall be installed at the point where the electric power production conductors are connected to the service.
Where ground-fault protection is used, the output of an interactive system shall be connected to the supply side of the ground-fault protection.
Exception: Connection shall be permitted to be made to the load side of ground-fault protection, provided that there is ground-fault protection for equipment from all ground-fault current sources.
Upon loss of primary source, an electric power production source shall be automatically disconnected from all ungrounded conductors of the primary source and shall not be reconnected until the primary source is restored.
Exception: A listed utility-interactive inverter shall be permitted to autom atically cease exporting power upon loss of primary source and shall not be required to automatically disconnect all ungrounded conductors from the primary source. A listed utility-interactive inverter shall be permitted to automatically or manually resume exporting power to the utility once the primary source is restored.
Informational Note No. 1: Risks to personnel and equipment associated with the primary source could occur if an utility interactive electric power production source can operate as an intentional island. Special detection methods are required to determine that a primary source supply system outage has occurred and whether there should be automatic disconnection. When the primary source supply system is restored, special detection methods can be required to limit exposure of power production sources to out-of-phase reconnection.
Informational Note No. 2: Induction-generating equipment on systems with significant capacitance can become self-excited upon loss of the primary source and experience severe overvoltage as a result.
A utility-interactive inverter shall be permitted to operate as a stand-alone system to supply loads that have been disconnected from electrical production and distribution network sources.
A 3-phase electric power production source shall be automatically disconnected from all ungrounded conductors of the interconnected systems when one of the phases of that source opens. This requirement shall not be applicable to an electric power production source providing power for an emergency or legally required standby system.
Exception: A listed utility-interactive inverter shall be permitted to automatically cease exporting power when one of the phases of the source opens and shall not be required to autom atically disconnect all ungrounded conductors from the primary source. A listed utility-interactive inverter shall be permitted to automatically or manually resume exporting power to the utility once all phases of the source are restored.
Interconnected electric power production sources shall be grounded in accordance with Article 250.
Exception: For direct-current systems connected through an inverter directly to a grounded service, other methods that accomplish equivalent system protection and that utilize equipment listed and identified for the use shall be permitted.
The maximum current for the specific circuit shall be calculated in accordance with 705.60 (A)(1) and (A)(2).
The maximum current shall be the maximum rated input current of the inverter.
The maximum current shall be the inverter continuous output current rating.
Inverter system currents shall be considered to be continuous. The circuit conductors and overcurrent devices shall be sized to carry not less than 125 percent of the maximum currents as calculated in 705.60(A). The rating or setting of overcurrent devices shall be permitted in accordance with 240.4(B) and (C).
Exception: Circuits containing an assembly together with its overcurrent device(s) that is listed for continuous operation at 100 percent of its rating shall be permitted to be utilized at 100 percent of its rating.
Inverter input circuits, inverter output circuits, and storage battery circuit conductors and equipment shall be protected in accordance with the requirements of Article 240. Circuits connected to more than one electrical source shall have overcurrent devices located so as to provide overcurrent protection from all sources.
Exception: An overcurrent device shall not be required for circuit conductors sized in accordance with 705.60(B) and located where one of the following applies:
- There are no external sources such as parallel connected source circuits, batteries, or backfeed from inverters.
- The short-circuit currents from all sources do not exceed the ampacity of the conductors.
Informational Note: Possible backfeed of current from any source of supply, including a supply through an inverter into the inverter output circuit and inverter source circuits, is a consideration in determining whether adequate overcurrent protection from all sources is provided for conductors and modules.
Overcurrent protection for a transformer with a source(s) on each side shall be provided in accordance with 450.3 by considering first one side of the transformer, then the other side of the transformer, as the primary.
Exception: A power transformer with a current rating on the side connected toward the utility-interactive inverter output that is not less than the rated continuous output current of the inverter shall be permitted without overcurrent protection from that source.
Utility-interactive inverters shall be permitted to be mounted on roofs or other exterior areas that are not readily accessible. These installations shall comply with (1) through (4):
- A direct-current disconnecting means shall be mounted within sight of or in the inverter.
- An alternating-current disconnecting means shall be mounted within sight of or in the inverter.
- An additional alternating-current disconnecting means for the inverter shall comply with 705.22.
- A plaque shall be installed in accordance with 705.10.
Hybrid systems shall be permitted to be interconnected with utility-interactive inverters.
The ampacity of the neutral conductors shall comply with either (A) or (B).
If a single-phase, 2-wire inverter output is connected to the neutral and one ungrounded conductor (only) of a 3-wire system or of a 3-phase, 4-wire, wyeconnected system, the maximum load connected between the neutral and any one ungrounded conductor plus the inverter output rating shall not exceed the ampacity of the neutral conductor.
A conductor used solely for instrumentation, voltage detection, or phase detection and connected to a single-phase or 3-phase utility-interactive inverter, shall be permitted to be sized at less than the ampacity of the other current-carrying conductors and shall be sized equal to or larger than the equipment grounding conductor.
Single-phase inverters for hybrid systems and ac modules in interactive hybrid systems shall be connected to three-phase power systems in order to limit unbalanced voltages to not more than 3 percent.
Conductors shall be protected in accordance with Article 240. Equipment and conductors connected to more than one electrical source shall have overcurrent devices located so as to provide protection from all sources. Generators shall be protected in accordance with 445.12.
Synchronous generators in a parallel system shall be provided with the necessary equipment to establish and maintain a synchronous condition.
Informational Note: Text that is followed by a reference in brackets has been extracted from NFPA 1600-2013, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs. Only editorial changes were made to the extracted text to make it consistent with this Code.
The provisions of this article apply to the installation, operation, monitoring, control, and maintenance of the portions of the premises wiring system intended to supply, distribute, and control electricity to designated critical operations areas (DCOA) in the event of disruption to elements of the normal system.
Critical operations power systems are those systems so classed by municipal, state, federal, or other codes by any governmental agency having jurisdiction or by facility engineering documentation establishing the necessity for such a system. These systems include but are not limited to power systems, HVAC, fire alarm, security, communications, and signaling for designated critical operations areas.
Informational Note No. 1: Critical operations power systems are generally installed in vital infrastructure facilities that, if destroyed or incapacitated, would disrupt national security, the economy, public health or safety; and where enhanced electrical infrastructure for continuity of operation has been deemed necessary by governmental authority.
Informational Note No. 2: For further information on disaster and emergency management, see NFPA 1600-2013, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs.
Informational Note No. 3: For further information regarding performance of emergency and standby power systems,see NFPA 110-2013, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
Informational Note No. 4: For further information regarding performance and maintenance of emergency systems in health care facilities, see NFPA 99-2012, Standard for Health Care Facilities.
Informational Note No. 5: For specification of locations where emergency lighting is considered essential to life safety, see NFPA 101-2012, Life Safety Code, or the applicable building code.
Informational Note No. 6: For further information regarding physical security, see NFPA 730-2011, Guide for Premises Security.
Informational Note No. 7: Threats to facilities that may require transfer of operation to the critical systems include both naturally occurring hazards and human-caused events. See also A.5.3.2 of NFPA 1600-2013.
Informational Note No. 8: See Informative Annex F, Availability and Reliability for Critical Operations Power Systems; and Development and Implementation of Functional Performance Tests (FPTs) for Critical Operations Power Systems.
Informational Note No. 9: See Informative Annex G, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).
Commissioning. The acceptance testing, integrated system testing, operational tune-up, and start-up testing is the process by which baseline test results verify the proper operation and sequence of operation of electrical equipment, in addition to developing baseline criteria by which future trend analysis can identify equipment deterioration.
Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS). Power systems for facilities or parts of facilities that require continuous operation for the reasons of public safety, emergency management, national security, or business continuity.
Designated Critical Operations Areas (DCOA). Areas within a facility or site designated as requiring critical operations power.
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). An electronic system that provides monitoring and controls for the operation of the critical operations power system. This can include the fire alarm system, security system, control of the HVAC, the start/stop/monitoring of the power supplies and electrical distribution system, annunciation and communications equipment to emergency personnel, facility occupants, and remote operators.
Risk assessment for critical operations power systems shall be documented and shall be conducted in accordance with 708.4(A) through (C).
Informational Note: Chapter 5 of NFPA 1600-2013, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs, provides additional guidance concerning risk assessment and hazard analysis.
In critical operations power systems, risk assessment shall be performed to identify hazards, the likelihood of their occurrence, and the vulnerability of the electrical system to those hazards.
Hazards to be considered at a minimum shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
- Naturally occurring hazards (geological, meteorological, and biological)
- Human-caused events (accidental and intentional) [1600:5.3.2]
Based on the results of the risk assessment, a strategy shall be developed and implemented to mitigate the hazards that have not been sufficiently mitigated by the prescriptive requirements of this Code.
Physical security shall be provided for critical operations power systems in accordance with 708.5(A) and (B).
Based on the results of the risk assessment, a strategy for providing physical security for critical operations power systems shall be developed, documented, and implemented.
Electrical circuits and equipment for critical operations power systems shall be accessible to qualified personnel only.
The authority having jurisdiction shall conductor witness a test of the complete system upon installation and periodically afterward.
Systems shall be tested periodically on a schedule acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction to ensure the systems are maintained in proper operating condition.
The authority having jurisdiction shall require a documented preventive maintenance program for critical operations power systems.
Informational Note: For information concerning maintenance, see NFPA 70B-2013, Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance.
A written record shall be kept of such tests and maintenance.
Means for testing all critical power systems during maximum anticipated load conditions shall be provided.
Informational Note: For information concerning testing and maintenance of emergency power supply systems (EPSSs) that are also applicable to COPS, see NFPA 110-2013, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
A commissioning plan shall be developed and documented.
Informational Note: For further information on developing a commissioning program see NFPA 70B-2013, Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance.
A set of baseline test results shall be documented for comparison with future periodic maintenance testing to identify equipment deterioration.
A functional performance test program shall be established, documented, and executed upon complete installation of the critical system in order to establish a baseline reference for future performance requirements.
Informational Note: See Informative Annex F for more information on developing and implementing a functional performance test program.
In a building or at a structure where a critical operations power system and any other type of power system are present, all boxes and enclosures (including transfer switches, generators, and power panels) for critical operations power system circuits shall be permanently marked so they will be readily identified as a component of the critical operations power system.
In a building in which COPS are present with other types of power systems described in other sections in this article, the cover plates for the receptacles or the receptacles themselves supplied from the COPS shall have a distinctive color or marking so as to be readily identifiable.
Exception: If the COPS supplies power to a DCOA that is a stand-alone building, receptacle cover plates or the receptacles them selves shall not be required to have distinctive marking.
COPS feeders shall comply with 708.10(C)(1) through (C)(3).
The wiring of the COPS system shall be protected against physical damage. Wiring methods shall be permitted to be installed in accordance with the following:
- Rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, or Type MI cable.
- Where encased in not less than 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete, any of the following wiring methods shall be permitted:
- Where provisions must be made for flexibility at equipment connection, one or more of the following shall also be permitted:
Feeders shall meet one of the following conditions:
- Be a listed electrical circuit protective system with a minimum 2-hour fire rating Informational Note: UL guide information for electrical circuit protection systems (FHIT) contains information on proper installation requirements to maintain the fire rating.
- Be protected by a listed fire-rated assembly that has a minimum fire rating of 2 hours
- Be encased in a minimum 50 mm (2 in.) of concrete
Where COPS feeders are installed below the level of the 100-year floodplain, the insulated circuit conductors shall be listed for use in a wet location and be installed in a wiring method that is permitted for use in wet locations.
(a) Outside the DCOA. COPS branch circuits installed outside the DCOA shall comply with the physical and fire protection requirements of 708.10(C)(1) through (C)(3).
(b) Within the DCOA. Any of the wiring methods recognized in Chapter 3 of this Code shall be permitted within the DCOA.
COPS branch circuit distribution equipment shall be located within the same DCOA as the branch circuits it supplies.
Equipment for COPS feeder circuits (including transfer equipment, transformers, and panelboards) shall comply with (1) and (2).
- Be located in spaces with a 2-hour fire resistance rating
- Be located above the 100-year floodplain.
Feeders and branch circuits supplied by the COPS shall supply only equipment specified as required for critical operations use.
All conductors or cables shall be installed using any of the metal wiring methods permitted by 708.10(C)(1) and, in addition, shall comply with 708.14(1) through (8), as applicable.
- All cables for fire alarm, security, signaling systems, and emergency communications shall be shielded twisted pair cables or installed to comply with the performance requirements of the system.
- Shields of cables for fire alarm, security, signaling systems, and emergency communications shall be arranged in accordance with the manufacturer's published installation instructions.
- Optical fiber cables shall be used for connections between two or more buildings on the property and under single management.
- A listed primary protector shall be provided on all communications circuits. Listed secondary protectors shall be provided at the terminals of the communications circuits.
- Conductors for all control circuits rated above 50 volts shall be rated not less than 600 volts.
- Communications, fire alarm, and signaling circuits shall use relays with contact ratings that exceed circuit voltage and current ratings in the controlled circuit.
- All cables for fire alarm, security, and signaling systems shall be riser-rated and shall be a listed 2-hour electrical circuit protective system. Emergency communication cables shall be Type CMR-CI or shall be riser-rated and shall be a listed 2-hour electrical circuit protective system.
- Control, monitoring, and power wiring to HVAC systems shall be a listed 2-hour electrical circuit protective system.
Current supply shall be such that, in the event of failure of the normal supply to the DCOA, critical operations power shall be available within the time required for the application. The supply system for critical operations power, in addition to the normal services to the building and meeting the general requirements of this section, shall be one or more of the types of systems described in 708.20(E) through (H).
Informational Note: Assignment of degree of reliability of the recognized critical operations power system depends on the careful evaluation in accordance with the risk assessment.
All sources of power shall be grounded as a separately derived source in accordance with 250.30.
Exception: Where the equipment containing the main bonding jumper or system bonding jumper for the normal source and the feeder wiring to the transfer equipment are installed in accordance with 708.10(C) and 708.11(B).
An automatic battery charging means shall be provided. Batteries shall be compatible with the charger for that particular installation. For a sealed battery, the container shall not be required to be transparent. However, for the lead acid battery that requires water additions, transparent or translucent containers shall be furnished. Automotive-type batteries shall not be used.
Generator sets driven by a prime mover shall be provided with means for automatically starting the prime mover on failure of the normal service. A time-delay feature permitting a minimum 15-minute setting shall be provided to avoid retransfer in case of short-time reestablishment of the normal source.
Where power is needed for the operation of the fuel transfer pumps to deliver fuel to a generator set day tank, this pump shall be connected to the COPS.
Prime movers shall not be solely dependent on a public utility gas system for their fuel supply or municipal water supply for their cooling systems. Means shall be provided for automatically transferring from one fuel supply to another where dual fuel supplies are used.
Where a storage battery is used for control or signal power or as the means of starting the prime mover, it shall be suitable for the purpose and shall be equipped with an automatic charging means independent of the generator set. Where the battery charger is required for the operation of the generator set, it shall be connected to the COPS. Where power is required for the operation of dampers used to ventilate the generator set, the dampers shall be connected to the COPS.
(a) Permanently Installed Generators and Portable Generators Greater Than 15 kW. Where an outdoor housed generator set is equipped with a readily accessible disconnecting means in accordance with 445.18, and the disconnecting means is located within sight of the building or structure supplied, an additional disconnecting means shall not be required where ungrounded conductors serve or pass through the building or structure. Where the generator supply conductors terminate at a disconnecting means in or on a building or structure, the disconnecting means shall meet the requirements of 225.36.
(b) Portable Generators 15kW or Less. Where a portable generator, rated 15 kW or less, is installed using a flanged inlet or other cord-and plug-type connection, a disconnecting means shall not be required where ungrounded conductors serve or pass through a building or structure.
Where internal combustion engines are used as the prime mover, an on-site fuel supply shall be provided. The on-site fuel supply shall be secured and protected in accordance with the risk assessment.
Uninterruptible power supplies used as the sole source of power for COPS shall comply with the applicable provisions of 708.20(E) and (F).
Installation of a fuel cell system shall meet the requirements of Parts II through VIII of Article 692.
Adequate ventilation shall be provided for the alternate power source for continued operation under maximum anticipated ambient temperatures.
Informational Note: NFPA 110-2013, Standard for Emergency and Stand by Power Systems,and NFPA 111-2013, Standard for Stored Emergency and Standby Power Systems, include additional information on ventilation air for combustion and cooling.
A COPS shall have capacity and rating for all loads to be operated simultaneously for continuous operation with variable load for an unlimited number of hours, except for required maintenance of the power source. A portable, temporary, or redundant alternate power source shall be available for use whenever the COPS power source is out of service for maintenance or repair.
The alternate power source shall be permitted to supply COPS emergency, legally required standby, and optional loads where the source has adequate capacity or where automatic selective load pickup and load shedding is provided as needed to ensure adequate power to (1) the COPS and emergency circuits, (2) the legally required standby circuits, and (3) the optional standby circuits, in that order of priority. The alternate power source shall be permitted to be used for peak load shaving, provided these conditions are met.
The alternate power source shall be capable of operating the COPS for a minimum of 72 hours at full load of DCOA with a steady-state voltage within ±10 percent of nominal utilization voltage.
Transfer equipment, including automatic transfer switches, shall be automatic and identified for emergency use. Transfer equipment shall be designed and installed to prevent the inadvertent interconnection of normal and critical operations sources of supply in any operation of the transfer equipment. Transfer equipment and electric power production systems installed to permit operation in parallel with the normal source shall meet the requirements of Article 705.
Means shall be permitted to bypass and isolate the transfer equipment. Where bypass isolation switches are used, inadvertent parallel operation shall be avoided.
Where used with sources that are not inherently synchronized, automatic transfer switches shall comply with (C)(1) and (C)(2).
- Automatic transfer switches shall be listed for emergency use.
- Automatic transfer switches shall be electrically operated and mechanically held.
Branch circuits supplied by the COPS shall only supply equipment specified as required for critical operations use.
The requirements of 708.52 shall apply to critical operations (including multiple occupancy buildings) with critical operation areas.
Where ground-fault protection is provided for operation of the service disconnecting means or feeder disconnecting means as specified by 230.95 or 215.10, an additional step of ground-fault protection shall be provided in all next level feeder disconnecting means downstream toward the load. Such protection shall consist of overcurrent devices and current transformers or other equivalent protective equipment that causes the feeder disconnecting means to open.
The additional levels of ground-fault protection shall not be installed on electrical systems that are not solidly grounded wye systems with greater than 150 volts to ground but not exceeding 1000 volts phase-to-phase.
When equipment ground-fault protection is first installed, each level shall be tested to ensure that ground-fault protection is operational.
Informational Note: Testing is intended to verify the ground-fault function is operational. The performance test is not intended to verify selectivity in 708.52(D), as this is often coordinated similarly to circuit breakers by reviewing time and current curves and properly setting the equipment. (Selectivity of fuses and circuit breakers is not performance tested for overload and short circuit.)
Ground-fault protection for operation of the service and feeder disconnecting means shall be fully selective such that the feeder device, but not the service device, shall open on ground faults on the load side of the feeder device. Separation of ground-fault protection time-current characteristics shall conform to the manufacturer's recommendations and shall consider all required tolerances and disconnect operating time to achieve 100 percent selectivity.
Informational Note: See 230.95, Informational Note No. 4, for transfer of alternate source where ground-fault protection is applied.
Critical operations power system(s) overcurrent devices shall be selectively coordinated with all supply-side overcurrent protective devices.
Selective coordination shall be selected by a licensed professional engineer or other qualified persons engaged primarily in the design, installation, or maintenance of electrical systems. The selection shall be documented and made available to those authorized to design, install, inspect, maintain, and operate the system.
Exception: Selective coordination shall not be required between two overcurrent devices located in series if no loads are connected in parallel with the downstream device.
A facility with a COPS shall have documented an emergency operations plan. The plan shall consider emergency operations and response, recovery, and continuity of operations.
Informational Note: NFPA 1600-2013, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs. Section 5.7, provides guidance for the development and implementation of emergency plans.
This article covers installations operating at less than 50 volts, direct current or alternating current.
Direct current or alternating-current installations operating at less than 50 volts, as covered in 411.1 through 411.8; Part VI of Article 517; Part II of Article 551; Parts II and III and 552.60(B) of Article 552; 650.1 through 650.8; 669.1 through 669.9; Parts I and VIII of Article 690; Parts I and III of Article 725; or Parts I and III of Article 760 shall not be required to comply with this article.
Conductors shall not be smaller than 12 AWG copper or equivalent. Conductors for appliance branch circuits supplying more than one appliance or appliance receptacle shall not be smaller than 10 AWG copper or equivalent.
Standard lampholders that have a rating of not less than 660 watts shall be used.
Receptacles shall have a rating of not less than 15 amperes.
Receptacles of not less than 20-ampere rating shall be provided in kitchens, laundries, and other locations where portable appliances are likely to be used.
This article covers remote-control, signaling, and power-limited circuits that are not an integral part of a device or appliance.
Informational Note: The circuits described herein are characterized by usage and electrical power limitations that differentiate them from electric light and power circuits; therefore, alternative requirements to those of Chapters 1 through 4 are given with regard to minimum wire sizes, ampacity adjustment and correction factors, overcurrent protection, insulation requirements, and wiring methods and materials.
Abandoned Class 2, Class 3, and PLTC Cable. Installed Class 2, Class 3, and PLTC cable that is not terminated at equipment and not identified for future use with a tag.
Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable. Cable(s) used for remote-control, signaling, or power-limited systems that supply critical circuits to ensure survivability for continued circuit operation for a specified time under fire conditions.
Class 1 Circuit. The portion of the wiring system between the load side of the overcurrent device or power-limited supply and the connected equipment.
Class 2 Circuit. The portion of the wiring system between the load side of a Class 2 power source and the connected equipment. Due to its power limitations, a Class 2 circuit considers safety from a fire initiation standpoint and provides acceptable protection from electric shock.
Class 3 Circuit. The portion of the wiring system between the load side of a Class 3 power source and the connected equipment. Due to its power limitations, a Class 3 circuit considers safety from a fire initiation standpoint. Since higher levels of voltage and current than for Class 2 are permitted, additional safeguards are specified to provide protection from an electric shock hazard that could be encountered.
Power-Limited Tray Cable (PLTC). A factory assembly of two or more insulated conductors rated at 300 V, with or without associated bare or insulated equipment grounding conductors, under a nonmetallic jacket.
Circuits and equipment shall comply with the articles or sections listed in 725.3(A) through (L). Only those sections of Article 300 referenced in this article shall apply to Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 circuits.
Installation of Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 circuits shall comply with 300.21.
Articles 500 through 516 and Article 517, Part IV, where installed in hazardous (classified) locations.
Article 392, where installed in cable tray.
Article 430, Part VI, where tapped from the load side of the motor branch-circuit protective device(s) as specified in 430.72(A).
Installations shall comply with 300.7(A).
Installations shall comply with 300.8.
Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 circuits shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner. Cables and conductors installed exposed on the surface of ceilings and sidewalls shall be supported by the building structure in such a manner that the cable will not be damaged by normal building use. Such cables shall be supported by straps, staples, hangers, cable ties, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not to damage the cable. The installation shall also comply with 300.4(D).
The accessible portion of abandoned Class 2, Class 3, and PLTC cables shall be removed. Where cables are identified for future use with a tag, the tag shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.
Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 circuits shall be identified at terminal and junction locations in a manner that prevents unintentional interference with other circuits during testing and servicing.
Remote-control circuits for safety-control equipment shall be classified as Class 1 if the failure of the equipment to operate introduces a direct fire or life hazard. Room thermostats, water temperature regulating devices, and similar controls used in conjunction with electrically controlled household heating and air conditioning shall not be considered safety-control equipment.
Where damage to remote-control circuits of safety-control equipment would introduce a hazard, as covered in 725.31(A), all conductors of such remote-control circuits shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, electrical metallic tubing, Type MI cable, Type MC cable, or be otherwise suitably protected from physical damage.
Class 1 circuits shall be classified as either Class 1 power-limited circuits where they comply with the power limitations of 725.41(A) or as Class 1 remote-control and signaling circuits where they are used for remote-control or signaling purposes and comply with the power limitations of 725.41(B).
These circuits shall be supplied from a source that has a rated output of not more than 30 volts and 1000 volt-amperes.
Transformers used to supply power-limited Class 1 circuits shall comply with the applicable sections within Parts I and II of Article 450.
Power sources other than transformers shall be protected by overcurrent devices rated at not more than 167 percent of the volt-ampere rating of the source divided by the rated voltage. The overcurrent devices shall not be interchangeable with overcurrent devices of higher ratings. The overcurrent device shall be permitted to be an integral part of the power supply.
To comply with the 1000 volt-ampere limitation of 725.41(A), the maximum output (VAmax) of power sources other than transformers shall be limited to 2500 volt-amperes, and the product of the maximum current (Imax) and maximum voltage (Vmax) shall not exceed 10,000 volt-amperes. These ratings shall be determined with any overcurrent-protective device bypassed.
VAmax is the maximum volt-ampere output after one minute of operation regardless of load and with overcurrent protection bypassed, if used. Current-limiting impedance shall not be bypassed when determining VAmax.
Imax is the maximum output current under any noncapacitive load, including short circuit, and with overcurrent protection bypassed, if used. Current-limiting impedance should not be bypassed when determining Imax. Where a current-limiting impedance, listed for the purpose or as part of a listed product, is used in combination with a stored energy source, for example, storage battery, to limit the output current, Imax limits apply after 5 seconds.
Vmax is the maximum output voltage regardless of load with rated input applied.
These circuits shall not exceed 600 volts. The power output of the source shall not be required to be limited.
Overcurrent protection for conductors 14 AWG and larger shall be provided in accordance with the conductor ampacity, without applying the ampacity adjustment and correction factors of 310.15 to the ampacity calculation. Overcurrent protection shall not exceed 7 amperes for 18 AWG conductors and 10 amperes for 16 AWG.
Exception: Where other articles of this Code permit or require other overcurrent protection.
Overcurrent devices shall be located at the point where the conductor to be protected receives its supply.
Class 1 circuit conductors shall be permitted to be tapped, without overcurrent protection at the tap, where the overcurrent device protecting the circuit conductor is sized to protect the tap conductor.
Class 1 circuit conductors 14 AWG and larger that are tapped from the load side of the overcurrent protective device(s) of a controlled light and power circuit shall require only short-circuit and ground-fault protection and shall be permitted to be protected by the branch-circuit overcurrent protective device(s) where the rating of the protective device(s) is not more than 300 percent of the ampacity of the Class 1 circuit conductor.
Class 1 circuit conductors supplied by the secondary of a single-phase transformer having only a 2-wire (single-voltage) secondary shall be permitted to be protected by overcurrent protection provided on the primary side of the transformer, provided this protection is in accordance with 450.3 and does not exceed the value determined by multiplying the secondary conductor ampacity by the secondary-to-primary transformer voltage ratio. Transformer secondary conductors other than 2-wire shall not be considered to be protected by the primary overcurrent protection.
Class 1 circuit conductors supplied by the output of a single-phase, listed electronic power source, other than a transformer, having only a 2-wire (single-voltage) output for connection to Class 1 circuits shall be permitted to be protected by overcurrent protection provided on the input side of the electronic power source, provided this protection does not exceed the value determined by multiplying the Class 1 circuit conductor ampacity by the output-to-input voltage ratio. Electronic power source outputs, other than 2-wire (single voltage), shall not be considered to be protected by the primary overcurrent protection.
Class 1 circuits shall be installed in accordance with Part I of Article 300 and with the wiring methods from the appropriate articles in Chapter 3.
Exception No. 1: The provisions of 725.48 through 725.51 shall be permitted to apply in installations of Class 1 circuits.
Exception No. 2: Methods permitted or required by other articles of this Code shall apply to installations of Class 1 circuits.
Class 1 circuits shall be permitted to be installed with other circuits as specified in 725.48(A) and (B).
Class 1 circuits shall be permitted to occupy the same cable, cable tray, enclosure, or raceway without regard to whether the individual circuits are alternating current or direct current, provided all conductors are insulated for the maximum voltage of any conductor in the cable, cable tray, enclosure, or raceway.
Class 1 circuits shall be permitted to be installed with power-supply conductors as specified in 725.48(B)(1) through (B)(4).
Class 1 circuits and power-supply circuits shall be permitted to occupy the same cable, enclosure, or raceway only where the equipment powered is functionally associated.
Class 1 circuits and power-supply circuits shall be permitted to be installed in factory- or field-assembled control centers.
Class 1 circuits and power-supply circuits shall be permitted to be installed as underground conductors in a manhole in accordance with one of the following:
- The power-supply or Class 1 circuit conductors are in a metal-enclosed cable or Type UF cable.
- The conductors are permanently separated from the power-supply conductors by a continuous firmly fixed nonconductor, such as flexible tubing, in addition to the insulation on the wire.
- The conductors are permanently and effectively separated from the power supply conductors and securely fastened to racks, insulators, or other approved supports.
Installations in cable trays shall comply with 725.48(B)(4)(1) or (B)(4)(2).
- Class 1 circuit conductors and power-supply conductors not functionally associated with the Class 1 circuit conductors shall be separated by a solid fixed barrier of a material compatible with the cable tray.
- Class 1 circuit conductors and power-supply conductors not functionally associated with the Class 1 circuit conductors shall be permitted to be installed in a cable tray without barriers where all of the conductors are installed with separate multiconductor Type AC, Type MC, Type MI, or Type TC cables and all the conductors in the cables are insulated at 600 volts or greater.
Conductors of sizes 18 AWG and 16 AWG shall be permitted to be used, provided they supply loads that do not exceed the ampacities given in 402.5 and are installed in a raceway, an approved enclosure, or a listed cable. Conductors larger than 16 AWG shall not supply loads greater than the ampacities given in 310.15. Flexible cords shall comply with Article 400.
Insulation on conductors shall be rated for the system voltage and not less than 600 volts. Conductors larger than 16 AWG shall comply with Article 310. Conductors in sizes 18 AWG and 16 AWG shall be Type FFH-2, KF-2, KFF-2, PAF, PAFF, PF, PFF, PGF, PGFF, PTF, PTFF, RFH-2, RFHH-2, RFHH-3, SF-2, SFF-2, TF, TFF, TFFN, TFN, ZF, or ZFF. Conductors with other types and thicknesses of insulation shall be permitted if listed for Class 1 circuit use.
Where only Class 1 circuit conductors are in a raceway, the number of conductors shall be determined in accordance with 300.17. The ampacity adjustment factors given in 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall apply only if such conductors carry continuous loads in excess of 10 percent of the ampacity of each conductor.
Where power-supply conductors and Class 1 circuit conductors are permitted in a raceway in accordance with 725.48, the number of conductors shall be determined in accordance with 300.17. The ampacity adjustment factors given in 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall apply as follows:
- To all conductors where the Class 1 circuit conductors carry continuous loads in excess of 10 percent of the ampacity of each conductor and where the total number of conductors is more than three
- To the power-supply conductors only, where the Class 1 circuit conductors do not carry continuous loads in excess of 10 percent of the ampacity of each conductor and where the number of power-supply conductors is more than three
Class 1 circuits that extend aerially beyond one building shall also meet the requirements of Article 225.
Informational Note Figure 725.121, No. 1 Class 2 and Class 3 Circuits.
The power source for a Class 2 or a Class 3 circuit shall be as specified in 725.121(A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4), or (A)(5):
Informational Note No. 1: Informational Note Figure 725.121, No. 1 illustrates the relationships between Class 2 or Class 3 power sources, their supply, and the Class 2 or Class 3 circuits.
Informational Note No. 2: Table 11(A) and Table 11(B) in Chapter 9 provide the requirements for listed Class 2 and Class 3 power sources.
- A listed Class 2 or Class 3 transformer
- A listed Class 2 or Class 3 power supply
- Other listed equipment marked to identify the Class 2 or Class 3 power source Exception No. 1 to (3): Thermocouples shall not require listing as a Class 2 power source.Exception No. 2 to (3): Limited power circuits of listed equipment where these circuits have energy levels rated at or below the limits established in Chapter 9, Table 11(A) and Table 11(B).Informational Note: Examples of other listed equipment are as follows:(1) A circuit card listed for use as a Class 2 or Class 3 power source where used as part of a listed assembly(2) A current-limiting impedance, listed for the purpose, or part of a listed product, used in conjunction with a non-power-limited transformer or a stored energy source, for example, storage battery, to limit the output current(3) A thermocouple(4) Limited voltage/current or limited impedance secondary communications circuits of listed industrial control equipment
- Listed information technology (computer) equipment limited-power circuits.
- Informational Note: One way to determine applicable requirements for listing of information technology (computer) equipment is to refer to UL 60950-1-2011, Standard for Safety of Information Technology Equipment. Typically such circuits are used to interconnect information technology equipment for the purpose of exchanging information (data).
Class 2 or Class 3 power sources shall not have the output connections paralleled or otherwise interconnected unless listed for such interconnection.
The equipment supplying the circuits shall be durably marked where plainly visible to indicate each circuit that is a Class 2 or Class 3 circuit.
Conductors and equipment on the supply side of the power source shall be installed in accordance with the appropriate requirements of Chapters 1 through 4. Transformers or other devices supplied from electric light or power circuits shall be protected by an overcurrent device rated not over 20 amperes.
Exception: The input leads of a transformer or other power source supplying Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall be permitted to be smaller than 14 AWG, but not smaller than 18 AWG if they are not over 12 in. (305 mm) long and if they have insulation that complies with 725.49(B).
Class 2 and Class 3 circuits on the load side of the power source shall be permitted to be installed using wiring methods and materials in accordance with either 725.130(A) or (B).
Installation shall be in accordance with 725.46.
Exception No. 1: The ampacity adjustment factors given in 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall not apply.
Exception No. 2: Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall be permitted to be reclassified and installed as Class 1 circuits if the Class 2 and Class 3 markings required in 725.124 are eliminated and the entire circuit is installed using the wiring methods and materials in accordance with Part II, Class 1 circuits.
Informational Note: Class 2 and Class 3 circuits reclassified and installed as Class 1 circuits are no longer Class 2 or Class 3 circuits, regardless of the continued connection to a Class 2 or Class 3 power source.
Conductors on the load side of the power source shall be insulated at not less than the requirements of 725.179 and shall be installed in accordance with 725.133 and 725.154.
Exception No. 2: Other wiring methods and materials installed in accordance with the requirements of 725.3 shall be permitted to extend or replace the conductors and cables described in 725.179 and permitted by 725.130(B).
Exception No. 3: Bare Class 2 conductors shall be permitted as part of a listed intrusion protection system where installed in accordance with the listing instructions for the system.
Installation of Class 2, Class 3, and PLTC cables shall comply with 725.135(A) through (M).
Class 2, Class 3, and PLTC cables installed in buildings shall be listed.
The following wires and cables shall be permitted in ducts used for environmental air as described in 300.22(B) if they are directly associated with the air distribution system:
- Types CL2P and CL3P cables in lengths as short as practicable to perform the required function
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, CL2X, CL3X, and PLTC cables installed in raceways that are installed in compliance with 300.22(B)
Informational Note: For information on fire protection of wiring installed in fabricated ducts, see 4.3.4.1 and 4.3.11.3.3 of NFPA 90A-2012, Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems.
The following cables shall be permitted in other spaces used for environmental air as described in 300.22(C):
- Types CL2P and CL3P cables
- Types CL2P and CL3P cables installed in plenum communications raceways
- Types CL2P and CL3P cables and plenum communications raceways supported by open metallic cable trays or cable tray systems
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, CL2X, CL3X, and PLTC cables installed in raceways that are installed in compliance with 300.22(C)
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, CL2X, CL3X, and PLTC cables supported by solid bottom metal cable trays with solid metal covers in other spaces used for environmental air (plenums) as described in 300.22(C)
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, CL2X, CL3X, and PLTC cables installed in plenum communications raceways, riser communications raceways, and general-purpose communications raceways supported by solid bottom metal cable trays with solid metal covers in other spaces used for environmental air (plenums) as described in 300.22(C)
The following cables shall be permitted in vertical runs penetrating one or more floors and in vertical runs in a shaft:
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, and CL3R cables
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, and CL3R cables installed in the following
Informational Note: See 300.21 for firestop requirements for floor penetrations.
The following cables shall be permitted in metal raceways in a riser having firestops at each floor:
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, CL2X, CL3X, and PLTC cables
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, CL2X, CL3X, and PLTC cables installed in the following:
- Plenum communications raceways
- Riser communications raceways
- General-purpose communications raceways
Informational Note: See 300.21 for firestop requirements for floor penetrations.
The following shall be permitted to be installed in fireproof riser shafts having firestops at each floor:
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, CL2X, CL3X, and PLTC cables
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, and PLTC cables installed in the following:
- Plenum communications raceways
- Plenum cable routing assemblies
- Riser communications raceways
- Riser cable routing assemblies
- General-purpose communications raceways
- General-purpose cable routing assemblies
Informational Note: See 300.21 for firestop requirements for floor penetrations.
The following cables shall be permitted in one- and two-family dwellings:
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, and PLTC cables
- Types CL2X and CL3X cables less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter
- Types CL2P, CL3P,CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, and PLTC cables installed in the following:
- Plenum communications raceways
- Plenum cable routing assemblies
- Riser communications raceways
- Riser cable routing assemblies
- General-purpose communications raceways
- General-purpose cable routing assemblies
Cables installed in cable trays outdoors shall be Type PLTC. The following cables shall be permitted to be supported by cable trays in buildings:
- Types CM CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, and PLTC cables
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, and PLTC cables installed in the following:
- Plenum communications raceways
- Riser communications raceways
- General-purpose communications raceways
The following cables shall be permitted to be installed in cross-connect arrays:
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, and PLTC cables
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, and PLTC cables installed in the following:
- Plenum communications raceways
- Plenum cable routing assemblies
- Riser communications raceways
- Riser cable routing assemblies
- General-purpose communications raceways
- General-purpose cable routing assemblies
In industrial establishments where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation, Type PLTC cable shall be permitted in accordance with either (1) or (2) as follows:
- Where the cable is not subject to physical damage, Type PLTC cable that complies with the crush and impact requirements of Type MC cable and is identified as PLTC-ER for such use shall be permitted to be exposed between the cable tray and the utilization equipment or device. The cable shall be continuously supported and protected against physical damage using mechanical protection such as dedicated struts, angles, or channels. The cable shall be supported and secured at intervals not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft).
- Type PLTC cable, with a metallic sheath or armor in accordance with 725.179(E), shall be permitted to be installed exposed. The cable shall be continuously supported and protected against physical damage using mechanical protection such as dedicated struts, angles, or channels. The cable shall be secured at intervals not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft).
The following wires and cables shall be permitted to be installed in building locations other than the locations covered in 725.135(B) through (I):
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, and PLTC cables
- A maximum of 3 m (10 ft) of exposed Type CL2X wires and cables in nonconcealed spaces
- A maximum of 3 m (10 ft) of exposed Type CL3X wires and cables in nonconcealed spaces
- Types CL2P, CL3P,CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, and PLTC cables installed in the following:
- Plenum communications raceways
- Plenum cable routing assemblies
- Riser communications raceways
- Riser cable routing assemblies
- General-purpose communications raceways
- General-purpose cable routing assemblies
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, CL2X, CL3X, and PLTC cables installed in raceways recognized in Chapter 3
- Type CMUC under carpet communications wires and cables installed under carpet
The following wires and cables shall be permitted to be installed in multifamily dwellings in locations other than the locations covered in 725.135(B) through (I):
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, and PLTC wires and cables
- Type CL2X wires and cables less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter in nonconcealed spaces
- Type CL3X wires and cables less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter in nonconcealed spaces
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, and PLTC wires and cables installed in the following:
- Plenum communications raceways
- Plenum cable routing assemblies
- Riser communications raceways
- Riser cable routing assemblies
- General-purpose communications raceways
- General-purpose cable routing assemblies
- Types CL2P, CL3P,CL2R,CL3R, CL2, CL3, CL2X, CL3X, and PLTC wires and cables installed in raceways recognized in Chapter 3
- Type CMUC under carpet communications wires and cables installed under carpet
The following wires and cables shall be permitted to be installed in one-and two-family dwellings in locations other than the locations covered in 725.135(B) through (I):
- Types CL2P, CL3P, CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, and PLTC wires and cables
- Type CL2X wires and cables less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter
- Type CL3X wires and cables less than 6 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter
- Communications wires and Types CL2P, CL3P,CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, and PLTC cables installed in the following:
- Plenum communications raceways
- Plenum cable routing assemblies
- Riser communications raceways
- Riser cable routing assemblies
- General-purpose communications raceways
- General-purpose cable routing assemblies
- TypesCL2P, CL3P,CL2R, CL3R, CL2, CL3, CL2X, CL3X, and PLTC wires and cables installed in raceways recognized in Chapter 3
- Type CMUC under carpet communications wires and cables installed under carpet
Cables and conductors of Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall not be placed in any cable, cable tray, compartment, enclosure, manhole, outlet box, device box, raceway, or similar fitting with conductors of electric light, power, Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm circuits, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits unless permitted by 725.136(B) through (I).
Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall be permitted to be installed together with the conductors of electric light, power, Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm and medium power network-powered broadband communications circuits where they are separated by a barrier.
In enclosures, Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall be permitted to be installed in a raceway to separate them from Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits.
Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors in compartments, enclosures, device boxes, outlet boxes, or similar fittings shall be permitted to be installed with electric light, power, Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits where they are introduced solely to connect the equipment connected to Class 2 and Class 3 circuits, and where (1) or (2) applies:
- The electric light, power, Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuit conductors are routed to maintain a minimum of 6 mm (0.25 in.) separation from the conductors and cables of Class 2 and Class 3 circuits.
- The circuit conductors operate at 150 volts or less to ground and also comply with one of the following:
- The Class 2 and Class 3 circuits are installed using Type CL3, CL3R, or CL3P or permitted substitute cables, provided these Class 3 cable conductors extending beyond the jacket are separated by a minimum of 6 mm (0.25 in.) or by a nonconductive sleeve or nonconductive barrier from all other conductors.
- The Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors are installed as a Class 1 circuit in accordance with 725.41.
Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors entering compartments, enclosures, device boxes, outlet boxes, or similar fittings shall be permitted to be installed with Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits where they are introduced solely to connect the equipment connected to Class 2 and Class 3 circuits. Where Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors must enter an enclosure that is provided with a single opening, they shall be permitted to enter through a single fitting (such as a tee), provided the conductors are separated from the conductors of the other circuits by a continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor, such as flexible tubing.
Underground Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors in a manhole shall be permitted to be installed with Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits where one of the following conditions is met:
- The electric light, power, Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuit conductors are in a metal-enclosed cable or Type UF cable.
- The Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors are permanently and effectively separated from the conductors of other circuits by a continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor, such as flexible tubing, in addition to the insulation or covering on the wire.
- The Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors are permanently and effectively separated from conductors of the other circuits and securely fastened to racks, insulators, or other approved supports.
Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors shall be permitted to be installed in cable trays, where the conductors of the electric light, Class 1, and non-power-limited fire alarm circuits are separated by a solid fixed barrier of a material compatible with the cable tray or where the Class 2 or Class 3 circuits are installed in Type MC cable.
In hoistways, Class 2 or Class 3 circuit conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, intermediate metal conduit, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing. For elevators or similar equipment, these conductors shall be permitted to be installed as provided in 620.21.
For other applications, conductors of Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall be separated by at least 50 mm (2 in.) from conductors of any electric light, power, Class 1 non-power-limited fire alarm or medium power network-powered broadband communications circuits unless one of the following conditions is met:
- Either (a) all of the electric light, power, Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuit conductors or (b) all of the Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors are in a raceway or in metal-sheathed, metal-clad, non-metallic-sheathed, or Type UF cables.
- All of the electric light, power, Class 1 non-power-limited fire alarm, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuit conductors are permanently separated from all of the Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors by a continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor, such as porcelain tubes or flexible tubing, in addition to the insulation on the conductors.
Conductors of two or more Class 2 circuits shall be permitted within the same cable, enclosure, raceway, or cable routing assembly.
Conductors of two or more Class 3 circuits shall be permitted within the same cable, enclosure, raceway, or cable routing assembly.
Conductors of one or more Class 2 circuits shall be permitted within the same cable, enclosure, raceway, or cable routing assembly with conductors of Class 3 circuits, provided that the insulation of the Class 2 circuit conductors in the cable, enclosure, raceway, or cable routing assembly is at least that required for Class 3 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 be installed in accordance with the requirements of Article 800. The cables shall be listed as communications cables.
Jacketed cables of Class 2 or Class 3 circuits shall be permitted in the same enclosure, cable tray, raceway, or cable routing assembly with jacketed cables of any of the following:
- Power-limited fire alarm systems in compliance with Parts I and III of Article 760
- Nonconductive and conductive optical fiber cables in compliance with Parts I and IV of Article 770
- Communications circuits in compliance with Parts I and IV of Article 800
- Community antenna television and radio distribution systems in compliance with Parts I and IV of Article 820
- Low-power, network-powered broadband communications in compliance with Parts I and IV of Article 830
Audio system circuits described in 640.9(C), and installed using Class 2 or Class 3 wiring methods in compliance with 725.133 and 725.154, shall not be permitted to be installed in the same cable, raceway, or cable routing assembly with Class 2 or Class 3 conductors or cables.
Where Class 2 or Class 3 circuit conductors extend beyond one building and are run so as to be subject to accidental contact with electric light or power conductors operating over 300 volts to ground, or are exposed to lightning on interbuilding circuits on the same premises, the requirements of the following shall also apply:
- Sections 800.44, 800.50, 800.53, 800.93, 800.100, 800.170(A), and 800.170(B) for other than coaxial conductors
- Sections 820.44, 820.93, and 820.100 for coaxial conductors
Class 2, Class 3, and PLTC cables shall comply with any of the requirements described in 725.154(A) through (C) and as indicated in Table 725.154.
Table 725.154 Applications of Listed Class 2, Class 3, and PLTC Cables in Buildings
| Applications | Wire and Cable Type | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CL2P & CL3P | CL2R & CL3R | CL2 & CL3 |
CL2X & CL3X | CMUC | PLTC | ||
| In fabricated ducts as described in 300.22(B) | In fabricated ducts | Y* | N | N | N | N | N |
| In metal raceway that complies with 300.22(B) | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | Y* | |
| In other spaces used for environmental air as described in 300.22(C) | In other spaces used for environmental air | Y* | N | N | N | N | N |
| In metal raceway that complies with 300.22(C) | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | Y* | |
| In plenum communications raceways | Y* | N | N | N | N | N | |
| In plenum cable routing assemblies | NOT PERMITTED | ||||||
| Supported by open metal cable trays | Y* | N | N | N | N | N | |
| Supported by solid bottom metal cable trays with solid metal covers | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | N | |
| In risers | In vertical runs | Y* | Y* | N | N | N | N |
| In metal raceways | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | Y* | |
| In fireproof shafts | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | Y* | |
| In plenum communications raceways | Y* | Y* | N | N | N | N | |
| In plenum cable routing assemblies | Y* | Y* | N | N | N | N | |
| In riser communications raceways | Y* | Y* | N | N | N | N | |
| In riser cable routing assemblies | Y* | Y* | N | N | N | N | |
| In one- and two-family dwellings | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | Y* | |
| Within buildings in other than air-handling spaces and risers | General | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | Y* |
| In one- and two-family dwellings | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
| In multifamily dwellings | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
| In non concealed spaces | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
| Supported by cable trays | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | N | Y* | |
| Under carpet | N | N | N | N | Y* | N | |
| In cross-connect arrays | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | N | Y* | |
| In any raceway recognized in Chapter 3 | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | Y* | |
| In plenum communications raceways | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | N | Y* | |
| In plenum cable routing assemblies | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | N | Y* | |
| In riser communications raceways | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | N | Y* | |
| In riser cable routing assemblies | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | N | Y* | |
| In general-purpose communications raceways | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | N | Y* | |
| In general-purpose cable routing assemblies | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | N | Y* | |
The substitutions for Class 2 and Class 3 cables listed in Table 725.154(A) and
illustrated in Figure 725.154(A) shall be permitted. Where substitute cables are installed, the wiring requirements of Article 725, Parts I and III, shall apply.
illustrated in Figure 725.154(A) shall be permitted. Where substitute cables are installed, the wiring requirements of Article 725, Parts I and III, shall apply.
Table 725.154(A) Cable Substitutions
| Cable Type | Permitted Substitutions |
|---|---|
| CL3P | CMP |
| CL2P | CMP, CL3P |
| CL3R | CMP, CL3P, CMR |
| CL2R | CMP, CL3P, CL2P, CMR, CL3R |
| PLTC | |
| CL3 | CMP, CL3P, CMR, CL3R, CMG, CM, PLTC |
| CL2 | CMP, CL3P, CL2P, CMR, CL3R, CL2R, CMG, CM, PLTC, CL3 |
| CL3X | CMP, CL3P, CMR, CL3R, CMG, CM, PLTC, CL3, CMX |
| CL2X | CMP, CL3P, CL2P, CMR, CL3R, CL2R, CMG, CM, PLTC, CL3, CL2, CMX, CL3X |
Figure 725.154(A) Cable Substitution Hierarchy.
Circuit integrity (CI) cable or a listed electrical circuit protective system shall be permitted for use in remote control, signaling, or power-limited systems that supply critical circuits to ensure survivability for continued circuit operation for a specified time under fire conditions.
Class 2, Class 3, and Type PLTC cables, nonmetallic signaling raceways and cable routing assemblies installed as wiring methods within buildings shall be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire and other criteria in accordance with 725.179(A) through (J) and shall be marked in accordance with 725.179 (K).
Types CL2P and CL3P plenum cable shall be listed as being suitable for use in ducts, plenums, and other space for environmental air and shall also be listed as having adequate fire-resistant and low-smoke producing characteristics.
Informational Note: One method of defining a cable that is low-smoke producing cable and fire-resistant cable is that the cable exhibits a maximum peak optical density of 0.50 or less, an average optical density of 0.15 or less, and a maximum flame spread distance of 1.52 m (5 ft) or less when tested in accordance with NFPA 262-2011, Standard Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of Wires and Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces.
Types CL2R and CL3R riser cables shall be marked as Type CL2R or CL3R, respectively, and be listed as suitable for use in a vertical run in a shaft or from floor to floor and shall also be listed as having fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire from floor to floor.
Informational Note: 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 ANSI/UL 1666-2012, Test for Flame Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cable Installed Vertically in Shafts.
Types CL2 and CL3 cables shall be marked as Type CL2 or CL3, respectively, and be listed as suitable for general-purpose use, with the exception of risers, ducts, plenums, and other space used for environmental air, and shall also be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire.
Informational Note: 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 "UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Tray Flame Test" in ANSI/UL 1685-2010, Standard for Safety for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable.
Type PLTC nonmetallic-sheathed, power-limited tray cable shall be listed as being suitable for cable trays and shall consist of a factory assembly of two or more insulated conductors under a nonmetallic jacket. The insulated conductors shall be 22 AWG through 12 AWG. The conductor material shall be copper (solid or stranded). Insulation on conductors shall be rated for 300 volts. The cable core shall be either (1) two or more parallel conductors, (2) one or more group assemblies of twisted or parallel conductors, or (3) a combination thereof. A metallic shield or a metallized foil shield with drain wire(s) shall be permitted to be applied either over the cable core, over groups of conductors, or both. The cable shall be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire. The outer jacket shall be a sunlight- and moisture-resistant nonmetallic material. Type PLTC cable used in a wet location shall be listed for use in wet locations or have a moisture-impervious metal sheath.
Exception No. 1: Where a smooth metallic sheath, continuous corrugated metallic sheath, or interlocking tape armor is applied over the nonmetallic jacket, an overall nonmetallic jacket shall not be required. On metallic- sheathed cable without an overall nonmetallic jacket, the information required in 310.120 shall be located on the nonmetallic jacket under the sheath.
Exception No. 2: Conductors in PLTC cables used for Class 2 thermocouple circuits shall be permitted to be any of the materials used for thermocouple extension wire.
Informational Note: 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 "UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Tray Flame Test" in ANSI/UL 1685-2010, Standard for Safety for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable.
Cables that are used for survivability of critical circuits under fire conditions shall meet either 725.179(F)(1) or (F)(2) as follows:
Circuit Integrity (CI) cables, specified in 725.154(A), and (B), used for survivability of critical circuits, shall have the additional classification using the suffix "CI." Circuit integrity (CI) cables shall only be permitted to be installed in a raceway where specifically listed and marked as part of an electrical circuit protective system as covered in 725.179(F)(2).
Cables specified in 725.154(A), and (B), that are part of an electrical circuit protective system shall be identified with the protective system number and hourly rating printed on the outer jacket of the cable and installed in accordance with the listing of the protective system.
Informational Note No. 1: One method of defining circuit integrity (CI) cable or an electrical circuit protective system is by establishing a minimum 2-hour fire-resistive rating when tested in accordance with UL 2196-2012, Standard for Tests of Fire Resistive Cables.
Informational Note No. 2: UL guide information for electrical circuit protective systems (FH1T) contains information on proper installation requirements to maintain the fire rating.
Class 3 single conductors used as other wiring within buildings shall not be smaller than 18 AWG and shall be Type CL3. Conductor types described in 725.49(B) that are also listed as Type CL3 shall be permitted.
Informational Note: 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 "UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Tray Flame Test" in ANSI/UL 1685-2010, Standard for Safety for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable.
Riser cable routing assemblies shall be listed as having fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire from floor to floor.
Informational Note: One method of defining fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire from floor to floor is that the cable routing assemblies pass the requirements of the test for flame propagation (riser) in Subject 2024A, UL Outline of Investigation for Cable Routing Assemblies.
General-use cable routing assemblies shall be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire.
Informational Note: One method of defining resistance to the spread of lire is that the cable routing assemblies pass the requirements of the vertical tray flame test (general use) in Subject 2024A, UL Outline of Investigation for Cable Routing Assemblies.
Cables shall be marked in accordance with 310.120(A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4), and (A)(5) and Table 725.179(K). Voltage ratings shall not be marked on the cables.
Informational Note: Voltage markings on cables may be misinterpreted to suggest that the cables may be suitable for Class 1 electric light and power applications.
Exception: Voltage markings shall be permitted where the cable has multiple listings and a voltage marking is required for one or more of the listings.
Table 725.179(K) Cable Marking
| Cable Marking | Type |
|---|---|
| CL3P | Class 3 plenum cable |
| CL2P | Class 2 plenum cable |
| CL3R | Class 3 riser cable |
| CL2R | Class 2 riser cable |
| PLTC | Power-limited tray cable |
| CL3 | Class 3 cable |
| CL2 | Class 2 cable |
| CL3X | Class 3 cable, limited use |
| CL2X | Class 2 cable, limited use |
This article covers the use, installation, and construction specifications of instrumentation tray cable for application to instrumentation and control circuits operating at 150 volts or less and 5 amperes or less.
Type ITC Instrumentation Tray Cable. A factory assembly of two or more insulated conductors, with or without a grounding conductor(s), enclosed in a nonmetallic sheath.
In addition to the provisions of this article, installation of Type ITC cable shall comply with other applicable articles of this Code.
Type ITC cable shall be permitted to be used as follows in industrial establishments where the conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons service the installation:
- In cable trays.
- In raceways.
- In hazardous locations as permitted in 501.10, 502.10, 503.10, 504.20, 504.30, 504.80, and 505.15.
- Enclosed in a smooth metallic sheath, continuous corrugated metallic sheath, or interlocking tape armor applied over the nonmetallic sheath in accordance with 727.6. The cable shall be supported and secured at intervals not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft).
- Cable, without a metallic sheath or armor, that complies with the crush and impact requirements of Type MC cable and is identified for such use with the marking ITC-ER shall be permitted to be installed exposed. The cable shall be continuously supported and protected against physical damage using mechanical protection such as dedicated struts, angles, or channels. The cable shall be secured at intervals not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft).
- As aerial cable on a messenger.
- Direct buried where identified for the use.
- Under raised floors in rooms containing industrial process control equipment and rack rooms where arranged to prevent damage to the cable.
- Under raised floors in information technology equipment rooms in accordance with 645.5(E)(5)(b).
Type ITC cable shall not be installed on circuits operating at more than 150 volts or more than 5 amperes.
Installation of Type ITC cable with other cables shall be subject to the stated provisions of the specific articles for the other cables. Where the governing articles do not contain stated provisions for installation with Type ITC cable, the installation of Type ITC cable with the other cables shall not be permitted.
Type ITC cable shall not be installed with power, lighting, Class 1 circuits that are not power limited, or non-power-limited circuits.
Exception No. 1: Where terminated within equipment or junction boxes and separations are maintained by insulating barriers or other means.
Exception No. 2: Where a metallic sheath or armor is applied over the nonmetallic sheath of the Type ITC cable.
The insulated conductors of Type ITC cable shall be in sizes 22 AWG through 12 AWG. The conductor material shall be copper or thermocouple alloy. Insulation on the conductors shall be rated for 300 volts. Shielding shall be permitted.
The cable shall be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire. The outer jacket shall be sunlight and moisture resistant
Where a smooth metallic sheath, continuous corrugated metallic sheath, or interlocking tape armor is applied over the nonmetallic sheath, an overall nonmetallic jacket shall not be required.
Informational Note: 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 "UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Tray Flame Test" in ANSI/UL 1685-2010, Standard for Safety for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable.
The cable shall be marked in accordance with 310.120(A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4), and (A)(5). Voltage ratings shall not be marked on the cable.
Overcurrent protection shall not exceed 5 amperes for 20 AWG and larger conductors, and 3 amperes for 22 AWG conductors.
This article covers the installation of fire-resistive cables, fire-resistive conductors, and other system components used for survivability of critical circuits to ensure continued operation during a specified time under fire conditions as required in this Code.
Wherever the requirements of other articles of this Code and Article 728 differ, the requirements of Article 728 shall apply.
Fire-resistive cables, fire-resistive conductors, and components shall be tested and listed as a complete system, shall be designated for use in a specific firerated system, and shall not be interchangeable between systems. Fire-resistive cables, conductors, and components shall be approved.
Informational Note No. 1: One method of defining the fire rating is by testing the system in accordance with UL 2196-2012, Standard for Tests of Fire Resistive Cables.
Informational Note No. 2: Fire-resistive cable systems are considered part of an electrical circuit protective system.
The fire-resistive cable system shall be secured to the building structure in accordance with the listing and the manufacturer's installation instructions.
The fire-resistive system shall be supported in accordance with the listing and the manufacturer's installation instructions.
Informational Note: The supports are critical for survivability of the system. Each system has its specific support requirements.
Where the fire-resistive system is listed to be installed in a raceway, the raceways enclosing the system, any couplings, and connectors shall be listed as part of the fire-rated system.
Cable trays used as part of a fire-resistive system shall be listed as part of the fire-resistive system.
Boxes or enclosures used as part of a fire-resistive system shall be listed as part of the fire-resistive system and shall be secured to the building structure independently of the raceways or cables listed in the system.
Only splices that are part of the listing for the fire-resistive cable system shall be used. Splices shall have manufacturer's installation instructions.
Fire-resistive systems installed in a raceway requiring an equipment grounding conductor shall use the same fire-rated cable described in the system, unless alternative equipment grounding conductors are listed with the system. Any alternative equipment grounding conductor shall be marked with the system number. The system shall specify a permissible equipment grounding conductor. If not specified, the equipment grounding conductor shall be the same as the fire-rated cable described in the system.
This article applies to the installation and operation of energy management systems.
Informational Note: Performance provisions in other codes establish prescriptive requirements that may further restrict the requirements contained in this article.
For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply.
Control. The predetermined process of connecting, disconnecting, increasing, or reducing electric power.
Energy Management System. A system consisting of any of the following: a monitor(s), communications equipment, a controller(s), a timer(s), or other device(s) that monitors and /or controls an electrical load or a power production or storage source.
Monitor. An electrical or electronic means to observe, record, or detect the operation or condition of the electric power system or apparatus.
An energy management system shall not override any control necessary to ensure continuity of an alternate power source for the following:
- Fire pumps
- Health care facilities
- Emergency systems
- Legally required standby systems
- Critical operations power systems
Energy management systems shall be permitted to monitor and control electrical loads unless restricted in accordance with 750.30(A) through (C).
An energy management system shall not override the load shedding controls put in place to ensure the minimum electrical capacity for the following:
- Fire pumps
- Emergency systems
- Legally required standby systems
- Critical operations power systems
An energy management system shall not be permitted to cause disconnection of power to the following:
- Elevators, escalators, moving walks, or stairway lift chairs
- Positive mechanical ventilation for hazardous (classified) locations
- Ventilation used to exhaust hazardous gas or reclassify an area
- Circuits supplying emergency lighting
- Essential electrical systems in health care facilities
An energy management system shall not cause a branch circuit, feeder, or service to be overloaded at any time.
Where an energy management system is employed to control electrical power through the use of a remote means, a directory identifying the controlled device(s) and circuit(s) shall be posted on the enclosure of the controller, disconnect, or branch-circuit overcurrent device.
Informational Note: The use of the term remote is intended to convey that a controller can be operated via another means or location through communications without a direct operator interface with the controlled device.
This article covers the installation of wiring and equipment of fire alarm systems including all circuits controlled and powered by the fire alarm system.
Informational Note No. 1: Fire alarm systems include fire detection and alarm notification, guard's tour, sprinkler waterflow, and sprinkler supervisory systems. Circuits controlled and powered by the fire alarm system include circuits for the control of building systems safety functions, elevator capture, elevator shutdown, door release, smoke doors and damper control, fire doors and damper control and fan shutdown, but only where these circuits are powered by and controlled by the fire alarm system. For further information on the installation and monitoring for integrity requirements for fire alarm systems, refer to the NFPA 72-2013, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.
Informational Note No. 2: Class 1, 2, and 3 circuits are defined in Article 725.
Abandoned Fire Alarm Cable. Installed fire alarm cable that is not terminated at equipment other than a connector and not identified for future use with a tag.
Fire Alarm Circuit. The portion of the wiring system between the load side of the overcurrent device or the power-limited supply and the connected equipment of all circuits powered and controlled by the fire alarm system. Fire alarm circuits are classified as either non-power-limited or power-limited.
Fire Alarm Circuit Integrity (CI) Cable. Cable used in fire alarm systems to ensure continued operation of critical circuits during a specified time under fire conditions.
Non-Power-Limited Fire Alarm Circuit (NPLFA). A fire alarm circuit powered by a source that complies with 760.41 and 760.43.
Power-Limited Fire Alarm Circuit (PLFA). A fire alarm circuit powered by a source that complies with 760.121.
Circuits and equipment shall comply with 760.3(A) through (K). Only those sections of Article 300 referenced in this article shall apply to fire alarm systems.
Section 300.22, where installed in ducts or plenums or other spaces used for environmental air.
Exception: As permitted in 760.53(B)(1) and (B)(2) and Table 760.154.
Articles 500 through 516 and Article 517, Part IV, where installed in hazardous (classified) locations.
Article 725, where building control circuits (e.g., elevator capture, fan shutdown) are associated with the fire alarm system.
Where optical fiber cables are utilized for fire alarm circuits, the cables shall be installed in accordance with Article 770.
Installations shall comply with 300.8.
Installations shall comply with 300.7(A).
Installations shall comply with 300.17.
Fire alarm circuits shall be installed in a neat workmanlike manner. Cables and conductors installed exposed on the surface of ceilings and sidewalls shall be supported by the building structure in such a manner that the cable will not be damaged by normal building use. Such cables shall be supported by straps, staples, cable ties, hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not to damage the cable. The installation shall also comply with 300.4(D).
Circuit integrity (CI) cables shall be supported at a distance not exceeding 610 mm (24 in.). Where located within 2.1 m (7 ft) of the floor, as covered in 760.53(A)(1) and 760.130(1), as applicable, the cable shall be fastened in an approved manner at intervals of not more than 450 mm (18 in.). Cable supports and fasteners shall be steel.
The accessible portion of abandoned fire alarm cables shall be removed. Where cables are identified for future use with a tag, the tag shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.
Fire alarm circuits shall be identified at terminal and junction locations in a manner that helps to prevent unintentional signals on fire alarm system circuit(s) during testing and servicing of other systems.
Non-power-limited fire alarm circuits and power-limited fire alarm circuits that extend beyond one building and run outdoors shall meet the installation requirements of Parts II, III, and IV of Article 800 and shall meet the installation requirements of Part I of Article 300.
Fire alarm circuits shall comply with 760.35(A) and (B).
See Parts I and II.
See Parts I and III.
The power source of non-power-limited fire alarm circuits shall comply with Chapters 1 through 4, and the output voltage shall be not more than 600 volts, nominal. The fire alarm circuit disconnect shall be permitted to be secured in the "on" position.
The branch circuit supplying the fire alarm equipment(s) shall supply no other loads. The location of the branch-circuit overcurrent protective device shall be permanently identified at the fire alarm control unit. The circuit disconnecting means shall have red identification, shall be accessible only to qualified personnel, and shall be identified as "FIRE ALARM CIRCUIT." The red identification shall not damage the overcurrent protective devices or obscure the manufacturer's markings. This branch circuit shall not be supplied through ground-fault circuit interrupters or arc-fault circuit-interrupters.
Informational Note: See 210.8(A)(5), Exception, for receptacles in dwelling-unit unfinished basements that supply power for fire alarm systems.
Overcurrent protection for conductors 14 AWG and larger shall be provided in accordance with the conductor ampacity without applying the ampacity adjustment and correction factors of 310.15 to the ampacity calculation. Overcurrent protection shall not exceed 7 amperes for 18 AWG conductors and 10 amperes for 16 AWG conductors.
Exception: Where other articles of this Code permit or require other overcurrent protection.
Overcurrent devices shall be located at the point where the conductor to be protected receives its supply.
Exception No. 1: Where the overcurrent device protecting the larger conductor also protects the smaller conductor.
Exception No. 2: Transformer secondary conductors. Non-power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors supplied by the secondary of a single-phase transformer that has only a 2-wire (single-voltage) secondary shall be permitted to be protected by overcurrent protection provided by the primary (supply) side of the transformer, provided the protection is in accordance with 450.3 and does not exceed the value determined by multiplying the secondary conductor ampacity by the secondary-to-primary transformer voltage ratio. Transformer secondary conductors other than 2-wire shall not be considered to be protected by the primary overcurrent protection.
Exception No. 3: Electronic power source output conductors. Non-power-limited circuit conductors supplied by the output of a single-phase, listed electronic power source, other than a transformer, having only a 2-wire (single-voltage) output for connection to non-power-limited circuits shall be permitted to be protected by overcurrent protection provided on the input side of the electronic power source, provided this protection does not exceed the value determined by multiplying the non-power-limited circuit conductor ampacity by the output-to-input voltage ratio. Electronic power source outputs, other than 2-wire (single voltage), connected to non-power-limited circuits shall not be considered to be protected by overcurrent protection on the input of the electronic power source.
Informational Note: A single-phase, listed electronic power supply whose output supplies a 2-wire (single-voltage) circuit is an example of a non-power-limited power source that meets the requirements of 760.41.
Class 1 and non-power-limited fire alarm circuits shall be permitted to occupy the same cable, enclosure, or raceway without regard to whether the individual circuits are alternating current or direct current, provided all conductors are insulated for the maximum voltage of any conductor in the enclosure or raceway.
Power-supply and fire alarm circuit conductors shall be permitted in the same cable, enclosure, or raceway only where connected to the same equipment.
Only copper conductors shall be permitted to be used for fire alarm systems. Size 18 AWG and 16 AWG conductors shall be permitted to be used, provided they supply loads that do not exceed the ampacities given in Table 402.5 and are installed in a raceway, an approved enclosure, or a listed cable. Conductors larger than 16 AWG shall not supply loads greater than the ampacities given in 310.15, as applicable.
Insulation on conductors shall be rated for the system voltage and not less than 600 volts. Conductors larger than 16 AWG shall comply with Article 310. Conductors 18 AWG and 16 AWG shall be Type KF-2, KFF-2, PAFF, PTFF, PF, PFF, PGF, PGFF, RFH-2, RFHH-2, RFHH-3, SF-2, SFF-2, TF, TFF, TFN, TFFN, ZF, or ZFF. Conductors with other types and thickness of insulation shall be permitted if listed for non-power-limited fire alarm circuit use.
Informational Note: For application provisions, see Table 402.3.
Conductors shall be solid or stranded copper.
Exception to (B) and (C): Wire Types PAF and PTF shall be permitted only for high-temperature applications between 90°C (194°F) and 250°C (482°F).
Where only non-power-limited fire alarm circuit and Class 1 circuit conductors are in a raceway, the number of conductors shall be determined in accordance with 300.17. The ampacity adjustment factors given in 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall apply if such conductors carry continuous load in excess of 10 percent of the ampacity of each conductor.
Where power-supply conductors and non-power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors are permitted in a raceway in accordance with 760.48, the number of conductors shall be determined in accordance with 300.17. The ampacity adjustment factors given in 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall apply as follows:
- To all conductors where the fire alarm circuit conductors carry continuous loads in excess of 10 percent of the ampacity of each conductor and where the total number of conductors is more than three
- To the power-supply conductors only, where the fire alarm circuit conductors do not carry continuous loads in excess of 10 percent of the ampacity of each conductor and where the number of power-supply conductors is more than three
Where fire alarm circuit conductors are installed in cable trays, they shall comply with 392.22 and 392.80(A).
Multiconductor non-power-limited fire alarm cables that meet the requirements of 760.176 shall be permitted to be used on fire alarm circuits operating at 150 volts or less and shall be installed in accordance with 760.53(A) and (B).
Multiconductor non-power-limited fire alarm circuit cables shall be installed in accordance with 760.53(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3).
Cable splices or terminations shall be made in listed fittings, boxes, enclosures, fire alarm devices, or utilization equipment. Where installed exposed, cables shall be adequately supported and installed in such a way that maximum protection against physical damage is afforded by building construction such as baseboards, door frames, ledges, and so forth. Where located within 2.1 m (7 ft) of the floor, cables shall be securely fastened in an approved manner at intervals of not more than 450 mm (18 in.).
Cables shall be installed in metal raceway or rigid nonmetallic conduit where passing through a floor or wall to a height of 2.1 m (7 ft) above the floor, unless adequate protection can be afforded by building construction such as detailed in 760.53(A)(1), or unless an equivalent solid guard is provided.
The use of non-power-limited fire alarm circuit cables shall comply with 760.53(B)(1) through (B)(4).
Multiconductor non-power-limited fire alarm circuit cables, Types NPLFP, NPLFR, and NPLF, shall not be installed exposed in ducts.
Informational Note: See 300.22(B).
Cables installed in vertical runs and penetrating one or more floors, or cables installed in vertical runs in a shaft, shall be Type NPLFR. Floor penetrations requiring Type NPLFR shall contain only cables suitable for riser or plenum use.
Exception No. 1: Type NPLF or other cables that are specified in Chapter 3 and are in compliance with 760.49(C) and encased in metal raceway.
Exception No. 2: Type NPLF cables located in a fireproof shaft having firestops at each floor.
Informational Note: See 300.21 for firestop requirements for floor penetrations.
Cables installed in building locations other than the locations covered in 760.53(B)(1), (B)(2), and (B)(3) shall be Type NPLF.
Exception No. 2: Type NPLFP or Type NPLFR cables shall be permitted.
The power source for a power-limited fire alarm circuit shall be as specified in 760.121(A)(1),(A)(2), or (A)(3).
Informational Note No. 1: Tables 12(A) and 12(B) in Chapter 9 provide the listing requirements for power-limited fire alarm circuit sources.
Informational Note No. 2: See 210.8(A)(5), Exception, for receptacles in dwelling-unit unfinished basements that supply power for fire alarm systems.
- A listed PLFA or Class 3 transformer.
- A listed PLFA or Class 3 power supply.
- Listed equipment marked to identify the PLFA power source.
Informational Note: Examples of listed equipment are a fire alarm control panel with integral power source; a circuit card listed for use as a PLFA source, where used as part of a listed assembly; a current-limiting impedance, listed for the purpose or part of a listed product, used in conjunction with a non-power-limited transformer or a stored energy source, for example, storage battery, to limit the output current.
The branch circuit supplying the fire alarm equipment(s) shall supply no other loads. The location of the branch-circuit overcurrent protective device shall be permanently identified at the fire alarm control unit. The circuit disconnecting means shall have red identification, shall be accessible only to qualified personnel, and shall be identified as "FIRE ALARM CIRCUIT." The red identification shall not damage the overcurrent protective devices or obscure the manufacturer's markings. This branch circuit shall not be supplied through ground-fault circuit interrupters or arc-fault circuit interrupters.
The equipment supplying PLFA circuits shall be durably marked where plainly visible to indicate each circuit that is a power-limited fire alarm circuit.
Informational Note: See 760.130(A), Exception No. 3, where a power-limited circuit is to be reclassified as a nonpower-limited circuit.
Conductors and equipment on the supply side of the power source shall be installed in accordance with the appropriate requirements of Part II and Chapters 1 through 4. Transformers or other devices supplied from power-supply conductors shall be protected by an overcurrent device rated not over 20 amperes.
Exception: The input leads of a transformer or other power source supplying power-limited fire alarm circuits shall be permitted to be smaller than 14 AWG, but not smaller than 18 AWG, if they are not over 300 mm (12 in.) long and if they have insulation that complies with 760.49(B).
Fire alarm circuits on the load side of the power source shall be permitted to be installed using wiring methods and materials in accordance with 760.130(A), (B), or a combination of (A) and (B).
Installation shall be in accordance with 760.46, and conductors shall be solid or stranded copper.
Exception No. 1: The ampacity adjustment factors given in 310.15(B)(3)(a) shall not apply.
Exception No. 2: Conductors and multiconductor cables described in and installed in accordance with 760.49 and 760.53 shall be permitted.
Exception No. 3: Power-limited circuits shall be permitted to be reclassified and installed as non-power-limited circuits if the power-limited fire alarm circuit markings required by 760.124 are eliminated and the entire circuit is installed using the wiring methods and materials in accordance with Part II, Non-Power-Limited Fire Alarm Circuits.
Informational Note: Power-limited circuits reclassified and installed as non-power-limited circuits are no longer power-limited circuits, regardless of the continued connection to a power-limited source.
Cable splices or terminations shall be made in listed fittings, boxes, enclosures, fire alarm devices, or utilization equipment. Where installed exposed, cables shall be adequately supported and installed in such a way that maximum protection against physical damage is afforded by building construction such as baseboards, door frames, ledges, and so forth. Where located within 2.1 m (7 ft) of the floor, cables shall be securely fastened in an approved manner at intervals of not more than 450 mm (18 in.).
Cables shall be installed in metal raceways or rigid nonmetallic conduit where passing through a floor or wall to a height of 2.1 m (7 ft) above the floor, unless adequate protection can be afforded by building construction such as detailed in 760.130(B)(1), or unless an equivalent solid guard is provided.
Conductors and equipment for power-limited fire alarm circuits shall be installed in accordance with 760.135 through 760.143.
Installation of power-limited fire alarm cables in buildings shall comply with 760.135(A) through (J).
PLFA cables installed in buildings shall be listed.
The following cables shall be permitted in ducts, as described in 300.22(B), if they are directly associated with the air distribution system:
- Types FPLP and FPLP-CI cables in lengths as short as practicable to perform the required function
- Types FPLP, FPLP-CI, FPLR, FPLR-CI, FPL, and FPL-CI cables installed in raceways that are installed in compliance with 300.22(B)
Informational Note: For information on fire protection of wiring installed in fabricated ducts, see 4.3.4.1 and 4.3.11.3.3 of NFPA 90A-2012, Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems.
The following cables shall be permitted in other spaces used for environmental air as described in 300.22(C):
- Type FPLP cables
- Type FPLP cables installed in plenum communications raceways
- Types FPLP and FPLP-CI cables supported by open metallic cable trays or cable tray systems
- Types FPLP, FPLR, and FPL cables installed in raceways that are installed in compliance with 300.22(C)
- Types FPLP, FPLR, and FPL cables supported by solid bottom metal cable trays with solid metal covers in other spaces used for environmental air (plenums) as described in 300.22(C)
- Types FPLP, FPLR, and FPL cables installed in plenum communications raceways, riser communications raceways, or general-purpose communications raceways supported by solid bottom metal cable trays with solid metal covers in other spaces used for environmental air (plenums) as described in 300.22(C)
The following cables shall be permitted in metal raceways in a riser having firestops at each floor:
- Types FPLP, FPLR, and FPL cables
- Types FPLP, FPLR, and FPL cables installed in the following:
- Plenum communications raceways
- Riser communications raceways
- General-purpose communications raceways
Informational Note: See 300.21 for firestop requirements for floor penetrations.
The following cables shall be permitted to be installed in fireproof riser shafts having firestops at each floor:
- Types FPLP, FPLR, and FPL cables
- Types FPLP, FPLR, and FPL cables installed in the following:
- Plenum communications raceways
- Plenum cable routing assemblies
- Riser communications raceways
- Riser cable routing assemblies
- General-purpose communications raceways
- General-purpose cable routing assemblies
Informational Note: See 300.21 for firestop requirements for floor penetrations.
The following cables shall be permitted in one- and two-family dwellings:
- Types FPLP, FPLR, and FPL cables
- Types FPLP, FPLR, and FPL cables installed in the following:
- Plenum communications raceways
- Plenum cable routing assemblies
- Riser communications raceways
- Riser cable routing assemblies
- General-purpose communications raceways
- General-purpose cable routing assemblies
The following cables shall be permitted to be installed in building locations other than the locations covered in 770.113(B) through (H):
- Types FPLP, FPLR, and FPL cables
- Types FPLP, FPLR, and FPL cables installed in the following:
- Plenum communications raceways
- Plenum cable routing assemblies
- Riser communications raceways
- Riser cable routing assemblies
- General-purpose communications raceways
- General-purpose cable routing assemblies
- Types FPLP, FPLR, and FPL cables installed in a raceway of a type recognized in Chapter 3
Cables specified in Chapter 3 and meeting the requirements of 760.179(A) and (B) shall be permitted to be installed in nonconcealed spaces where the exposed length of cable does not exceed 3 m (10 ft).
Power-limited fire alarm circuit cables and conductors shall not be placed in any cable, cable tray, compartment, enclosure, manhole, outlet box, device box, raceway, or similar fitting with conductors of electric light, power, Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm circuits, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits unless permitted by 760.136(B) through (G).
Power-limited fire alarm circuit cables shall be permitted to be installed together with Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits where they are separated by a barrier.
In enclosures, power-limited fire alarm circuits shall be permitted to be installed in a raceway within the enclosure to separate them from Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits.
Power-limited fire alarm conductors in compartments, enclosures, device boxes, outlet boxes, or similar fittings shall be permitted to be installed with electric light, power, Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm, and medium power network-powered broadband communications circuits where they are introduced solely to connect the equipment connected to power-limited fire alarm circuits, and comply with either of the following conditions:
- The electric light, power, Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuit conductors are routed to maintain a minimum of 6 mm (0.25 in.) separation from the conductors and cables of power-limited fire alarm circuits.
- The circuit conductors operate at 150 volts or less to ground and also comply with one of the following:
- The fire alarm power-limited circuits are installed using Type FPL, FPLR, FPLP, or permitted substitute cables, provided these power-limited cable conductors extending beyond the jacket are separated by a minimum of 6 mm (0.25 in.) or by a noncon- ductive sleeve or nonconductive barrier from all other conductors.
- The power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors are installed as non-power-limited circuits in accordance with 760.46.
Power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors entering compartments, enclosures, device boxes, outlet boxes, or similar fittings shall be permitted to be installed with electric light, power, Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits where they are introduced solely to connect the equipment connected to power-limited fire alarm circuits or to other circuits controlled by the fire alarm system to which the other conductors in the enclosure are connected. Where power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors must enter an enclosure that is provided with a single opening, they shall be permitted to enter through a single fitting (such as a tee), provided the conductors are separated from the conductors of the other circuits by a continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor, such as flexible tubing.
In hoistways, power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, intermediate metal conduit, liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing. For elevators or similar equipment, these conductors shall be permitted to be installed as provided in 620.21.
For other applications, power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors shall be separated by at least 50 mm (2 in.) from conductors of any electric light, power, Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm, or medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits unless one of the following conditions is met:
- Either (a) all of the electric light, power, Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuit conductors or (b) all of the power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors are in a raceway or in metal-sheathed, metal-clad, nonmetallic-sheathed, or Type UF cables.
- All of the electric light, power, Class 1, non-power-limited fire alarm, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuit conductors are permanently separated from all of the power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors by a continuous and firmly fixed nonconductor, such as porcelain tubes or flexible tubing, in addition to the insulation on the conductors.
Cable and conductors of two or more power-limited fire alarm circuits, communications circuits, or Class 3 circuits shall be permitted within the same cable, enclosure, cable tray, raceway, or cable routing assembly.
Conductors of one or more Class 2 circuits shall be permitted within the same cable, enclosure, cable tray, raceway, or cable routing assembly with conductors of power-limited fire alarm circuits, provided that the insulation of the Class 2 circuit conductors in the cable, enclosure, raceway, or cable routing assembly is at least that required by the power-limited fire alarm circuits.
Low-power network-powered broadband communications circuits shall be permitted in the same enclosure, cable tray, raceway, or cable routing assembly with PLFA cables.
Audio system circuits described in 640.9(C) and installed using Class 2 or Class 3 wiring methods in compliance with 725.133 and 725.154 shall not be permitted to be installed in the same cable, cable tray, raceway, or cable routing assembly with power-limited conductors or cables.
Conductors of 26 AWG shall be permitted only where spliced with a connector listed as suitable for 26 AWG to 24 AWG or larger conductors that are terminated on equipment or where the 26 AWG conductors are terminated on equipment listed as suitable for 26 AWG conductors. Single conductors shall not be smaller than 18 AWG.
Power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors shall not be strapped, taped, or attached by any means to the exterior of any conduit or other raceway as a means of support.
Listed continuous line-type fire detectors, including insulated copper tubing of pneumatically operated detectors, employed for both detection and carrying signaling currents shall be permitted to be used in power-limited circuits.
PLFA cables shall comply with the requirements described in Table 760.154 or where cable substitutions are made as shown in 760.154(A). Where substitute cables are installed, the wiring requirements of Article 760, Parts I and III, shall apply. Types FPLP-CI, FPLR-CI, and FPL-CI cables shall be permitted to be installed to provide 2-hour circuit integrity rated cables.
Table 760.154 Applications of Listed PLFA Cables in Buildings
| Applications | Cable Type | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FPLP&FPLP-CI | FPLR&FPLR-CI | FPL&FPL-CI | ||
| In fabricated ducts as described in 300.22(B) | In fabricated ducts | Y* | N | N |
| In metal raceway that complies with 300.22(B) | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
| In other spaces used for environmental air as described in 300.22(C) | In other spaces used for environmental air | Y* | N | N |
| In metal raceway that complies with 300.22(C) | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
| In plenum communications raceways | Y* | N | N | |
| In plenum cable routing assemblies | NOT PERMITTED | |||
| Supported by open metal cable trays | Y* | N | N | |
| Supported by solid bottom metal cable trays with solid metal covers | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
| In risers | In vertical runs | Y* | Y* | N |
| In metal raceways | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
| In fireproof shafts | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
| In plenum communications raceways | Y* | Y* | N | |
| In plenum cable routing assemblies | Y* | Y* | N | |
| In riser communications raceways | Y* | Y* | N | |
| In riser cable routing assemblies | Y* | Y* | N | |
| In one- and two-family dwellings | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
| Within buildings in other than air-handling spaces and risers | General | Y* | Y* | Y* |
| Supported by cable trays | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
| In any raceway recognized in Chapter 3 | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
| In plenum communications raceway | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
| In plenum cable routing assemblies | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
| In riser communications raceways | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
| In riser cable routing assemblies | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
| In general-purpose communications raceways | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
| In general-purpose cable routing assemblies | Y* | Y* | Y* | |
The substitutions for fire alarm cables listed in Table 760.154(A) and illustrated in Figure 760.154(A) shall be permitted. Where substitute cables are installed, the wiring requirements of Article 760, Parts I and III, shall apply.
Figure 760.154(A) Cable Substitution Hierarchy.
| Cable Type | Permitted Substitutions |
|---|---|
| FPLP | CMP |
| FPLR | CMP, FPLP, CMR |
| FPL | CMP, FPLP, CMR, FPLR, CMG, CM |
Non-power-limited fire alarm cables installed as wiring within buildings shall be listed in accordance with 760.176(A) and (B) and as being resistant to the spread of fire in accordance with 760.176(C) through (F), and shall be marked in accordance with 760.176(G). Cable used in a wet location shall be listed for use in wet locations or have a moisture- impervious metal sheath.
Conductors shall be 18 AWG or larger solid or stranded copper.
Insulation on conductors shall be rated for the system voltage and not less than 600 V. Insulated conductors 14 AWG and larger shall be one of the types listed in Table 310.104(A) or one that is identified for this use. Insulated conductors 18 AWG and 16 AWG shall be in accordance with 760.49.
Type NPLFP non-power-limited fire alarm cable for use in other space used for environmental air shall be listed as being suitable for use in other space used for environmental air as described in 300.22(C) and shall also be listed as having adequate fire-resistant and low smoke-producing characteristics.
Informational Note: One method of defining a cable that is low-smoke producing cable and fire-resistant cable is that the cable exhibits a maximum peak optical density of 0.50 or less, an average optical density of 0.15 or less, and a maximum flame spread distance of 1.52 m (5 ft) or less when tested in accordance with NFPA 262-2011, Standard Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of Wires and Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces.
Type NPLFR non-power-limited fire alarm riser cable shall be listed as being suitable for use in a vertical run in a shaft or from floor to floor and shall also be listed as having fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire from floor to floor.
Type NPLF non-power-limited fire alarm cable shall be listed as being suitable for general-purpose fire alarm use, with the exception of risers, ducts, plenums, and other space used for environmental air, and shall also be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire.
Informational Note: 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 "UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Tray Flame Test" in ANSI/UL 1685-2010, Standard for Safety for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable.
Cables that are used for survivability of critical circuits under fire conditions shall meet either 760.176(F)(1) or (F)(2) as follows:
Circuit integrity (CI) cables, specified in 760.176(C), (D), and (E), and used for survivability of critical circuits, shall have an additional classification using the suffix "CI." Circuit integrity (CI) cables shall only be permitted to be installed in a raceway where specifically listed and marked as part of an electrical circuit protective system as covered in 760.176(F)(2).
Cables specified in 760.176(C), (D), (E), and (F)(1), that are part of an electrical circuit protective system, shall be identified with the protective system number and hourly rating printed on the outer jacket of the cable and installed in accordance with the listing of the protective system.
Informational Note No. 1: Fire alarm circuit integrity (CI) cable and electrical circuit protective systems may be used for fire alarm circuits to comply with the survivability requirements of NFPA 72-2013, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, 12.4.3 and 12.4.4, that the circuit maintain its electrical function during fire conditions for a defined period of time.
Informational Note No. 2: One method of defining circuit integrity (CI) cable or an electrical circuit protective system is by establishing a minimum 2-hour fire-resistive rating for the cable when tested in accordance with UL 2196-2012, Standard for Tests of Fire Resistive Cables.
Informational Note No. 3: UL guide information for electrical circuit protective systems (FHIT) contains information on proper installation requirements for maintaining the fire rating.
Multiconductor non-power-limited fire alarm cables shall be marked in accordance with Table 760.176(G). Non-power-limited fire alarm circuit cables shall be permitted to be marked with a maximum usage voltage rating of 150 volts. Cables that are listed for circuit integrity shall be identified with the suffix "CI" as defined in 760.176(F).
Informational Note: Cable types are listed in descending order of fire resistance rating.
Table 760.176(G) NPLFA Cable Markings
| Cable Marking | Type | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| NPLFP | Non-power-limited fire alarm circuit cable for use in "other space used for environmental air" | 760.176(C) and (G) |
| NPLFR | Non-power-limited fire alarm circuit riser cable | 760.176(D) and (G) |
| NPLF | Non-power-limited fire alarm circuit cable | 760.176(E) and (G) |
Note: Cables identified in 760.176(C), (D), and (E) and meeting the requirements for circuit integrity shall have the additional classification using the suffix "CI" (for example, NPLFP-CI, NPLFR-CI, and NPLF-CI).
PLFA cables installed as wiring within buildings shall be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire and other criteria in accordance with 760.179(A) through (H) and shall be marked in accordance with 760.179(I). Insulated continuous line-type fire detectors shall be listed in accordance with 760.179(J). Cable used in a wet location shall be listed for use in wet locations or have a moisture-impervious metal sheath.
Conductors shall be solid or stranded copper.
The size of conductors in a multiconductor cable shall not be smaller than 26 AWG. Single conductors shall not be smaller than 18 AWG.
Type FPLP power-limited fire alarm 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.
Informational Note: One method of defining a cable that is low-smoke producing cable and fire-resistant cable is that the cable exhibits a maximum peak optical density of 0.50 or less, an average optical density of 0.15 or less, and a maximum flame spread distance of 1.52 m (5 ft) or less when tested in accordance with NFPA 262-2011, Standard Method of Test for Flame Travel and Smoke of Wires and Cables for Use in Air-Handling Spaces.
Type FPLR power-limited fire alarm riser cable shall be listed as being suitable for use in a vertical run in a shaft or from floor to floor and shall also be listed as having fire-resistant characteristics capable of preventing the carrying of fire from floor to floor.
Informational Note: 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 ANSI/UL 1666-2012, Standard Test for Flame Propagation Height of Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cable Installed Vertically in Shafts.
Type FPL power-limited fire alarm cable shall be listed as being suitable for general-purpose fire alarm use, with the exception of risers, ducts, plenums, and other spaces used for environmental air, and shall also be listed as being resistant to the spread of fire.
Informational Note: 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 "UL Flame Exposure, Vertical Tray Flame Test" in ANSI/UL 1685-2012, Standard for Safety for Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test for Electrical and Optical-Fiber Cables. The smoke measurements in the test method are not applicable.
Cables that are used for survivability of critical circuits under fire conditions shall meet either 760.179(G)(1) or (G)(2) as follows:
Circuit integrity (CI) cables specified in 760.179(D), (E), (F), and (H), and used for survivability of critical circuits, shall have an additional classification using the suffix "CI." Circuit integrity (CI) cables shall only be permitted to be installed in a raceway where specifically listed and marked as part of an electrical circuit protective system as covered in 760.179(G)(2).
Cables specified in 760.179(D), (E), (F), (H), and (G)(1), that are part of an electrical circuit protective system, shall be identified with the protective system number and hourly rating printed on the outer jacket of the cable and installed in accordance with the listing of the protective system.
Informational Note No. 1: Fire alarm circuit integrity (CI) cable and electrical circuit protective systems may be used for fire alarm circuits to comply with the survivability requirements of NFPA 72-2013, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, 12.4.3 and 12.4.4. that the circuit maintain its electrical function during fire conditions for a defined period of time.
Informational Note No. 2: One method of defining circuit integrity (CI) cable or an electrical circuit protective system is by establishing a minimum 2-hour fire-resistive rating for the cable when tested in accordance with UL 2196-2012, Standard for Tests of Fire Resistive Cables.
Informational Note No. 3: UL guide information for electrical circuit protective systems (FHIT) contains information on proper installation requirements for maintaining the fire rating.
Coaxial cables shall be permitted to use 30 percent conductivity copper-covered steel center conductor wire and shall be listed as Type FPLP, FPLR, or FPL cable.
The cable shall be marked in accordance with Table 760.179(I). The voltage rating shall not be marked on the cable. Cables that are listed for circuit integrity shall be identified with the suffix CI as defined in 760.179(G).
Informational Note: Voltage ratings on cables may be misinterpreted to suggest that the cables may be suitable for Class 1, electric light, and power applications.
Exception: Voltage markings shall be permitted where the cable has multiple listings and voltage marking is required for one or more of the listings.
| Cable Marking | Type |
|---|---|
| FPLP | Power-limited fire alarm plenum cable |
| FPLR | Power-limited fire alarm riser cable |
| FPL | Power-limited fire alarm cable |
Note: Cables identified in 760.179(D), (E), and (F) as meeting the requirements for circuit integrity shall have the additional classification using the suffix "Cl" (for example. FPLP-CI, FPLR-CI, and FPL-CI).
Informational Note: Cable types are listed in descending order of fire resistance rating.
Insulated continuous line-type fire detectors shall be rated in accordance with 760.179(C), listed as being resistant to the spread of fire in accordance with 760.179(D) through (F), marked in accordance with 760.179(I), and the jacket compound shall have a high degree of abrasion resistance.
Informational Note: The general term grounding conductor as previously used in this article is replaced by either the term bonding conductor or the term grounding electrode conductor (GEC), where applicable, to more accurately reflect the application and function of the conductor.
See Informational Note Figure 800(a) and Informational Note Figure 800(b) for illustrative application of a bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor.
The provisions of this article apply to the installation of optical fiber cables, raceways, and cable routing assemblies. This article does not cover the construction of optical fiber cables and raceways.
See Part I of Article 100. For purposes of this article, the following additional definitions apply.
Abandoned Optical Fiber Cable. Installed optical fiber cable that is not terminated at equipment other than a connector and not identified for future use with a tag.
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100 for a definition of Equipment.
Cable Sheath. A covering over the optical fiber assembly that includes one or more jackets and may include one or more metallic members or strength members.
Composite Optical Fiber Cable. A cable containing optical fibers and current-carrying electrical conductors.
Conductive Optical Fiber Cable. A factory assembly of one or more optical fibers having an overall covering and containing non-current-carrying conductive member(s) such as metallic strength member(s), metallic vapor barrier(s), metallic armor or metallic sheath.
Electrical Circuit Protective System. A system consisting of components and materials intended for installation as protection for specific electrical wiring systems with respect to the disruption of electrical circuit integrity upon exterior fire exposure.
Exposed (to Accidental Contact). A conductive optical fiber cable in such a position that, in case of failure of supports or insulation, contact between the cable's noncurrent-carrying conductive members and an electrical circuit may result.
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100 for two other definitions of Exposed.
Nonconductive Optical Fiber Cable. A factory assembly of one or more optical fibers having an overall covering and containing no electrically conductive materials.
Optical Fiber Cable. A factory assembly or field assembly of one or more optical fibers having an overall covering.
Informational Note: A field-assembled optical fiber cable is an assembly of one or more optical fibers within a jacket. The jacket, without optical fibers, is installed in a manner similar to conduit or raceway. Once the jacket is installed, the optical fibers are inserted into the jacket, completing the cable assembly.
Point of Entrance. The point within a building at which the optical fiber cable emerges from an external wall, from a concrete floor slab, from rigid metal conduit (RMC), or from intermediate metal conduit (IMC).
Installations of optical fiber cables and raceways shall comply with 770.3(A) and (B). Only those sections of Chapter 2 and Article 300 referenced in this article shall apply to optical fiber cables and raceways.
The requirements of 300.22(A) for wiring systems shall apply to conductive optical fiber cables.
Composite optical fiber cables shall be classified as electrical cables in accordance with the type of electrical conductors. They shall be constructed, listed, and marked in accordance with the appropriate article for each type of electrical cable.
Listed plenum communications raceway, listed riser communications raceway, and listed general-purpose communications raceway selected in accordance with the provisions of Table 800.154(b) shall be permitted to be installed as innerduct in any type of listed raceway permitted in Chapter 3.
Access to electrical equipment shall not be denied by an accumulation of optical fiber cables that prevents removal of panels, including suspended ceiling panels.
Optical fiber cables shall be installed in a neat and workmanlike manner. Cables installed exposed on the surface of ceilings and sidewalls shall be supported by the building structure in such a manner that the cable will not be damaged by normal building use. Such cables shall be secured by hardware including straps, staples, cable ties, hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not to damage the cable. The installation shall also conform with 300.4(D) through(G) and 300.11. Nonmetallic cable ties and other nonmetallic cable accessories used to secure and support cables in other spaces used for environmental air (plenums) shall be listed as having low smoke and heat release properties.
Informational Note No. 1: Accepted industry practices are described in ANSI/NECA/BICSI 568-2006, Standard for Installing Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling;ANSI/NECA/FOA 301-2009, Standard for Installing and Testing Fiber Optic Cables;and other ANSI-approved installation standards.
Informational Note No. 2: See 4.3.11.2.6.5 and 4.3.11.5.5.6 of NFPA 90A-2012, Standard for the Installation of Air Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, for discrete combustible components installed in accordance with 300.22(C).
The accessible portion of abandoned optical fiber cables shall be removed. Where cables are identified for future use with a tag, the tag shall be of sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved.
Installations of optical fiber cables and communications raceways in hollow spaces, vertical shafts, and ventilation or air-handling ducts shall be made so that the possible spread of fire or products of combustion will not be substantially increased. Openings around penetrations of optical fiber cables and communications raceways through fire-resistant-rated walls, partitions, floors, or ceilings shall be firestopped using approved methods to maintain the fire resistance rating.
Informational Note: Directories of electrical construction materials published by qualified testing laboratories contain many listing installation restrictions necessary to maintain the fire-resistive rating of assemblies where penetrations or openings are made. Building codes also contain restrictions on membrane penetrations on opposite sides of a fire resistance-rated wall assembly. An example is the 600-mm (24-in.) minimum horizontal separation that usually applies between boxes installed on opposite sides of the wall. Assistance in complying with 770.26 can be found in building codes, fire resistance directories, and product listings.
Underground optical fiber cables entering buildings shall comply with 770.47(A) and (B).
Underground conductive optical fiber cables entering buildings with electric light, power, Class 1, or non-power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors in a raceway, handhole enclosure, or manhole shall be located in a section separated from such conductors by means of brick, concrete, or tile partitions or by means of a suitable barrier.
Direct-buried conductive optical fiber cables shall be separated by at least 300 mm (12 in.) from conductors of any electric light, power, or non-power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors or Class 1 circuit.
Exception No. 1: Direct-buried conductive optical fiber cables shall not be required to be separated by at least 300 mm (12 in.) from electric service conductors where electric service conductors are installed in raceways or have metal cable armor.
Exception No. 2: Direct-buried conductive optical fiber cables shall not be required to be separated by at least 300 mm (12 in.) from electric light or power branch-circuit or feeder conductors, non-power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors, or Class 1 circuit conductors where electric light or power branch-circuit or feeder conductors, non-power-limited fire alarm circuit conductors, or Class 1 circuit conductors are installed in a raceway or in metal-sheathed, metal-clad, or Type UF or Type USE cables.
Unlisted conductive and nonconductive outside plant optical fiber cables shall be permitted to be installed in building spaces, other than risers, ducts used for environmental air, plenums used for environmental air, and other spaces used for environmental air, where the length of the cable within the building, measured from its point of entrance, does not exceed 15 m (50 ft) and the cable enters the building from the outside and is terminated in an enclosure.
Informational Note No. 1: Splice cases or terminal boxes, both metallic and plastic types, typically are used as enclosures for splicing or terminating optical fiber cables.
Informational Note No. 2: See 770.2 for the definition of Point of Entrance.
Unlisted nonconductive outside plant optical fiber cables shall be permitted to enter the building from the outside and shall be permitted to be installed in any of the following raceways:
- Intermediate metal conduit (IMC)
- Rigid metal conduit (RMC)
- Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit (PVC)
- Electrical metallic tubing (EMT)
Rigid metal conduit (RMC) or intermediate metal conduit (IMC) containing optical fiber entrance cable shall be connected by a bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor to a grounding electrode in accordance with 770.100(B).
Optical fiber cables entering the building or terminating on the outside of the building shall comply with 770.93(A) or (B).
In installations where an optical fiber cable is exposed to contact with electric light or power conductors and the cable enters the building, the noncurrent-carrying metallic members shall be either grounded as specified in 770.100, or interrupted by an insulating joint or equivalent device. The grounding or interruption shall be as close as practicable to the point of entrance.
Informational Note: See 770.2 for a definition of Point of Entrance.
In installations where an optical fiber cable is exposed to contact with electric light or power conductors and the cable is terminated on the outside of the building, the non-current-carrying metallic members shall be either grounded as specified in 770.100, or interrupted by an insulating joint or equivalent device. The grounding or interruption shall be as close as practicable to the point of termination of the cable.
Where required, the non-current-carrying metallic members of optical fiber cables entering buildings shall be bonded or grounded as specified in 770.100(A) through (D).
The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be listed and shall be permitted to be insulated, covered, or bare.
The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be copper or other corrosion-resistant conductive material, stranded or solid.
The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall not be smaller than 14 AWG. It shall have a current-carrying capacity not less than that of the grounded metallic member(s). The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall not be required to exceed 6 AWG.
The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be as short as practicable. In one- and two-family dwellings, the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be as short as practicable not to exceed 6.0 m (20 ft) in length.
Informational Note: Similar bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor length limitations applied at apartment buildings and commercial buildings help to reduce voltages that may develop between the building's power and communications systems during lightning events.
Exception: In one- and two-family dwellings where it is not practicable to achieve an overall maximum bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor length of 6.0 m (20 ft), a separate ground rod meeting the minimum dimensional criteria of 770.100(B)(3)(2) shall be driven, the grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to the separate ground rod in accordancewith770.100(C), and the separate ground rod shall be bonded to the power grounding electrode system in accordance with 770.100(D).
The bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be run in as straight a line as practicable.
Bonding conductors and grounding electrode conductors shall be protected where exposed to physical damage. Where the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor is installed in a metal raceway, both ends of the raceway shall be bonded to the contained conductor or to the same terminal or electrode to which the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor is connected.
The bonding conductor and grounding electrode conductor shall be connected in accordance with 770.100(B)(1), (B)(2), or (B)(3).
If the building or structure served has an intersystem bonding termination as required by 250.94, the bonding conductor shall be connected to the intersystem bonding termination.
Informational Note: See Part I of Article 100 for the definition of Intersystem Bonding Termination.
If the building or structure served has no intersystem bonding termination, the bonding conductor or grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to the nearest accessible location on the following:
- The building or structure grounding electrode system as covered in 250.50
- The grounded interior metal water piping system, within 1.5 m (5 ft) from its point of entrance to the building, as covered in 250.52
- The power service accessible means external to enclosures as covered in 250.94
- The nonflexible metallic power service raceway
- The service equipment enclosure
- The grounding electrode conductor or the grounding electrode conductor metal enclosure of the power service, or
- The grounding electrode conductor or the grounding electrode of a building or structure disconnecting means that is grounded to an electrode as covered in 250.32
If the building or structure served has no intersystem bonding termination or grounding means, as described in 770.100(B)(2), the grounding electrode conductor shall be connected to either of the following:
- To any one of the individual grounding electrodes described in 250.52(A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(3), or (A)(4).
- If the building or structure served has no grounding means, as described in 770.100(B)(2) or (B)(3)(1), to any one of the individual grounding electrodes described in 250.52(A)(7) and (A)(8) or to a ground rod or pipe not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) in length and 12.7 mm (1/2 in.) in diameter, driven, where practicable, into permanently damp earth and separated from lightning conductors as covered in 800.53 and at least 1.8 m (6 ft) from electrodes of other systems. Steam or hot water pipes or air terminal conductors (lightning-rod conductors) shall not be employed as electrodes for non-current-carrying metallic members.
Connections to grounding electrodes shall comply with 250.70.
A bonding jumper not smaller than 6 AWG copper or equivalent shall be connected between the grounding electrode and power grounding electrode system at the building or structure served where separate electrodes are used.
Exception: At mobile homes as covered in 770.106.
Informational Note No. 2: Bonding together of all separate electrodes limits potential differences between them and between their associated wiring systems.
Grounding shall comply with 770.106(A)(1) and (A)(2).
(1) Where there is no mobile home service equipment located within 9.0 m (30 ft) of the exterior wall of the mobile home it serves, the non-current-carrying metallic members of optical fiber cables entering the mobile home shall be grounded in accordance with 770.100(B)(3).
(2) Where there is no mobile home disconnecting means grounded in accordance with 250.32 and located within 9.0 m (30 ft) of the exterior wall of the mobile home it serves, the non-current-carrying metallic members of optical fiber cables entering the mobile home shall be grounded in accordance with 770.100(B)(3).
The grounding electrode shall be bonded to the metal frame or available grounding terminal of the mobile home with a copper conductor not smaller than 12 AWG under either of the following conditions:
- Where there is no mobile home service equipment or disconnecting means as in 770.106(A)
- Where the mobile home is supplied by cord and plug
Optical fiber cables shall be permitted to be installed in any raceway that complies with either 770.110(A)(1) or (A)(2) and in cable routing assemblies installed in compliance with 770.110(C).
Optical fiber cables shall be permitted to be installed in any raceway included in Chapter 3. The raceways shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.
Optical fiber cables shall be permitted to be installed in listed plenum communications raceways, listed riser communications raceways, and listed general-purpose communications raceways selected in accordance with the provisions of 770.113, 800.110, and 800.113, and installed in accordance with 362.24 through 362.56, where the requirements applicable to electrical nonmetallic tubing (ENT) apply.
Where optical fiber cables are installed in raceway without electric light or power conductors, the raceway fill requirements of Chapters 3 and 9 shall not apply.
Where nonconductive optical fiber cables are installed with electric light or power conductors in a raceway, the raceway fill requirements of Chapters 3 and 9 shall apply.
Optical fiber cables shall be permitted to be installed in plenum cable routing assemblies, riser cable routing assemblies, and general-purpose cable routing assemblies selected in accordance with the provisions of 800.113 and Table 800.154(c) and installed in accordance with 770.110(C)(1) and (C)(2).
Cable routing assemblies shall be supported where run horizontally at intervals not to exceed 900 mm (3 ft), and at each end or joint, unless listed for other support intervals. In no case shall the distance between supports exceed 3 m (10 ft).
Vertical runs ofcable routing assemblies shall be supported at intervals not exceeding 1.2 m (4 ft), unless listed for other support intervals, and shall not have more than one joint between supports.
Installation of optical fiber cables shall comply with 770.113(A) through (J