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National Electrical Code Articles and Information

National Electrical Code Explanations

Based on the 2020 NEC

by Mark Lamendola

National Electrical Code Tips: Article 830, Network-Powered Broadband Communications Systems Part 1

 

  1. To understand the applicability of Article 830, read Informational Note 1 under 830.1 Scope. Specifically, if you can understand what a typical basic configuration is then you can use that concept to determine if the system you're working with is covered by Article 830 or not.
  2. Several other Articles may also apply [830.3]. For example, the requirements of 110.3(B) apply to the installation and use.
  3. These systems, by definition, have specific power limitations [830.15]. These aren't stated in a simple way. See Table 830.15 to get a handle on what they are.
  4. A rule that's repeatedly repeated, perhaps ad nauseum, is that the work must be done in a workmanlike manner [830.24]. We first encounter this in Article 110, and it seems like we're reminded about 96 more times in the Code. But most of those repetitions include additional material specific to the type of application. As with any other cabling installation, you can't block access to equipment that's behind panels even though that specific requirement, which last appeared in 830.21 of the 2017 NEC has disappeared. The NEC is slowly removing its repeatede repetitions of this repeatedly repeated requirement in every Article dealing with any kind of cabling that goes in ceiling spaces. It's a common sense and workmanship thing, so even having to mention it seems a bit over the top. However, this rule is commonly violated!

    I'm not disparaging the NEC for all this repetition. I'm disparaging the sloppy installers and cheap owners who make the CMPs feel compelled to keep repeating some of these basic rules. Qualified contractors who take pride in their work and do it right often must compete on price with people who really do not know what they are doing and whose work is disgraceful. With the mechanical execution of work requirement being so explicit and so ubiquitous throughout the NEC, qualified contractors can have more authority when explaining why the job must be done this way and why it costs a little more to get it right.
  5. The requirements for cables that are outside but entering buildings are in Part II.


  6. The requirements of Part II start with those for entrance cables [830.40]. The requirements depend on whether you have medium-power circuits [830.40(A)] or low-power circuits [830.40(B)]. One of the basic differences is in the type of cable you use.
  7. Where practicable, locate overhead broadband cables below any electric light or power conductors [830.44(A)(1)] when installing on poles or in-span. You'll find many other clearance requirements in Part II.
  8. Part III of Article 830 provides the requirements for primary electrical protection [830.90].
  9. Generally, you must provide primary electrical protection on all ungrounded /uninterrupted network-powered broadband conductors run aerially and not confined within a block [830.90(A)]. The exception is where electrical protection is provided on the derived circiuit(s). Carefully read Informational Notes 1 and 2, plus Informational Note 3 (this last was added with the 2017 revision).


  10. So what the heck is this "primary electrical protection?" It's a specific kind of device called a primary protector. Primary protectors can be fuseless or fused; limits on the use of fuseless and requirements on where fused ones must be used are in 830.90(A)(1) and 830.90(A)(2), respectively.