ARTICLE 727

Instrumentation Tray Cable: Type ITC

  1. Scope. 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.
  2. Definition.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.
  3. Other Articles. In addition to the provisions of this arti‐ cle, installation of Type ITC cable shall comply with other applicable articles of this Code.
  4. Uses Permitted. Type ITC cable shall be permitted to be used as follows in industrial establishments where the condi‐ tions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only quali‐ fied persons service the installation:
    1. In cable trays.
    2. In raceways.
    3. In hazardous locations as permitted in 501.10, 502.10, 503.10, 504.20, 504.30, 504.80, and 505.15.
    4. Enclosed in a smooth metallic sheath, continuous corru‐ gated 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).
    5. 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).Exception to (5): Where not subject to physical damage, Type ITC-ER shall be permitted to transition between cable trays and between cable
      trays and utilization equipment or devices for a distance not to exceed1.8 m (6 ft) without continuous support. The cable shall be mechani‐ cally supported where exiting the cable tray to ensure that the minimum bending radius is not exceeded.
    6. As aerial cable on a messenger.
    7. Direct buried where identified for the use.
    8. Under raised floors in rooms containing industrial proc‐ ess control equipment and rack rooms where arranged to prevent damage to the cable.
    9. Under raised floors in information technology equip‐ ment rooms in accordance with 645.5(E)(5)(b).
  5. Uses Not Permitted. Type ITC cable shall not be instal‐ led 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 instal‐ lation 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.
  6. Construction. 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.Another method of defining resistant to the spread of fire is for the damage (char length) not to exceed 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in.) when performing the CSA vertical flame test — cables in cable trays, as described in CSA C22.2 No. 0.3-M-2001, Test Methods for Electri‐ cal Wires and Cables.
  7. Marking. 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.
  8. Allowable Ampacity. The allowable ampacity of the conductors shall be 5 amperes, except for 22 AWG conductors, which shall have an allowable ampacity of 3 amperes.
  9. Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent protection shall not exceed 5 amperes for 20 AWG and larger conductors, and 3 amperes for 22 AWG conductors.ARTICLE 750 — ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 750.20
  10. Bends. Bends in Type ITC cables shall be made so as not to damage the cable.
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