Running DATA Cable, New Construction

spoolin

Our company has been getting into larger and larger cabling jobs and i needed some tips for us to continue.

When running a cable for new construction office area, what can and can't you attach your cables to while running them down halls and across the rooms in the ceiling. Is it ok to affix to all thread rods for sprinklers? Is it better to use your own bendable wire to support the cable?

Also, if you are running cable in a new plenum installation with double drop ceiling, what could you attach to to suspend the cable through the ceiling given there is no drop ceiling suspension installed for the lower tile grid yet.

GregS

Familiarize yourself with Ericos line of hanger products. You'll find something to fit just about every situation.

And avoid touching sprinklers.. You don't want to become the excuse for any possible failure.

wireaudio

I'd have to agree. Avoid sprinklers as much as possible.
As to the doible drop ceiling, i have never worked with that.
If drop ceiling can support it, i usually run it right above it with no supports, if its 1-2 cables. For more cables, i use some sort of hooks wherever i can, or a wiring basket.

Good luck.

HomeMedia Pros

Some day NEC should include Low Voltage wiring. If you are doing anything short of cable trays you are cheating your customer. Remember cable tray should always be 2 feet away from power lines and always cross them at 90 degrees. Last thing you want is some network geek sniffing out latency due to a run next to balast. You would have to rerun all of the wire and then some. Going from office to office and vacuming behind... Use the tray be a pro.

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ctiautomation

I'd also recommend avoiding sprinklers. They can be a pain.

JohnJ0906

Um, I'm not sure what you are refering to, because the National Electric Code certainly does include "low voltage"
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All replies based on the 2008 NEC

tjrmmm

hello you can use D rings .used to support cables caddy has j hook you can use or bridal rings and you can use caddy clips that attach to pencil rod

Inner10

Hilti has a pretty slick plastic cable clip that comes pre-loaded with nails, for runs in drop ceilings on concrete they are pretty slick. If its exposed or really long install a cable tray.

msalinas

I would get involved with ericos line of J hooks and bridal rings. They make so many different parts I'm sure they'll have something for you.

CCW

Never go near sprinklers. Never tie-wrap to threaded rod. Never just lay the cables on the ceiling tiles, 1 or 100. Use clips, j-hooks, or other devices listed above from Caddy etc. Remember the cable / wire you install is part of the signature of your work.

slowforthecones

sounds like the kid needs to get schooled on "installation"

CCW

It sounds like you're right, but it looks like this site is the place to learn. I'm glad I found this site - lots of good info.

HanerEnterprise

Don't forget that other little chore - fireproofing. I never do anything without foaming, caulking, or grommeting. Don't make a mess... keep it fairly neat.

I went to a jobsite and the installer did everything wrong! Went thru steel studs without protection, hammered through firewalls, didn't secure anything, and even draped the lines over drop-in lights. The inspector not only flagged it, he thru him off the job. Cool.

Also, make sure you have plenum rated wire when you go through those plenums.


Dave

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bwalley

You can't just run low voltage wires through a firewall and use fire caulk, it needs to be run through steel sleeve and then fire caulked.

HanerEnterprise

Exactly. Sorry about omitting that part.

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slowforthecones

there's a company called "servicewarehouse" they've got everything you possible need for the daily newbie installer.....all install "aides" aka time savers, wire holders, markers, probes, fish tapes, benders..... price is not bad though but I've gotten some things cheaper elsewhere.

slowforthecones

Just ask..more than happy to tell you the stuff..been doing this for almost 11+ years fire alarms, fire sprinklers, plumbing.

Synacom

EIA/TIA 569A or 569B would be a good resource for you to have available. There are a number of considerations from both safety and performance considerations. Usually the threaded rods are a safe bet if you stay far enough away from what they are carrying (sprinkler, conduit, etc.) and make sure your cable cannot come loose to interfere with something below it.

CCW

Thanks!

I've been in the buiness 25+ years, but always leanin' something new!

CCW

The problem with threadedrods is that most of the time cable is just tied to the rod, and that causes chaffing on cable. The rod can be used to support cables, but protection (hanging devices) must be used to keep the cable off the rod.