Section 725.136
Section 725.136 – Revise Section 725.136 to read as follows:
725.136 Separation from Electric Light, Power, Class 1, and Medium-Power Network-Powered Broadband Communications Cables.
(A) General. 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, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits unless permitted by 725.136(B) through (I).
(B) Separated by Barriers. Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall be permitted to be installed together with the conductors of electric light, power, Class 1, and medium power network-powered broadband communications circuits where they are separated by a barrier.
(C) Raceways Within Enclosures. In enclosures, Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall be permitted to be installed in a raceway to separate them from Class 1 and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits.
(D) Associated Systems Within Enclosures. 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, 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:
(1) The electric light, power, Class 1 and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuit conductors are routed to maintain a minimum of 0.25 in. (6 mm) separation from the conductors and cables of Class 2 and Class 3 circuits.
(2) The circuit conductors operate at 150 volts or less to ground and also comply with 1 of the following:
a. 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 0.25 in. (6 mm) or by a nonconductive sleeve or nonconductive barrier from all other conductors.
b. The Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors are installed as a Class 1 circuit in accordance with 725.41.
(E) Enclosures with Single Opening. 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 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.
(F) Manholes. Underground Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors in a manhole shall be permitted to be installed with Class 1 and medium power network-powered broadband communications circuits where 1 of the following conditions is met:
(1) The electric light, power, Class 1, and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuit conductors are in a metal enclosed cable or Type UF cable.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(G) Cable Trays. Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors shall be permitted to be installed in cable trays, where the conductors of the electric light and Class 1 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.
(H) In Hoistways. In hoistways, Class 2, or Class 3 circuit conductors shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, or electrical metallic tubing. For elevators or similar equipment, these conductors shall be permitted to be installed as provided in 620.21.
(I) Other Applications. For other applications, conductors of Class 2 and Class 3 circuits shall be separated by at least 2 in. (50 mm) from conductors of any electric light, power or medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuits unless 1 of the following conditions is met:
(1) Either all of the electric light, power, Class 1 and medium-power network-powered broadband communications circuit conductors or all of the Class 2 and Class 3 circuit conductors are in a raceway or in metal-sheathed, metal-clad, non–metallic-sheathed, Type TC, or Type UF cables; or
(2) All of the electric light, power, 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.
