ARTICLE 840

Premises-Powered Broadband Communications Systems

Part I. General

Scope. This article covers premises-powered broadband communications systems.Informational Note No. 1: A typical basic system configuration consists of an optical fiber, twisted pair, or coaxial cable to the premises supplying a broadband signal to a network terminal that converts the broadband signal into component electrical signals, such as traditional telephone, video, high-speed Inter‐ net, and interactive services. Powering for the network terminal and network devices is typically accomplished through a prem‐ ises power supply that might be built into the network terminal or provided as a separate unit. In order to provide communica‐ tions in the event of a power interruption, a battery backup unit or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is typically part of the powering system.Informational Note No. 2: See 90.2(B)(4) for installations of premises-powered broadband communications systems that are not covered in this article.
Definitions. The definitions in Part I of Article 100 and 645.2, 770.2, 800.2, and 820.2 shall apply. For purposes of this article, the following additional definitions apply.•
Network Terminal. A device that converts network-provided signals (optical, electrical, or wireless) into component signals, including voice, audio, video, data, wireless, optical, and inter‐ active services, and is considered a network device on the prem‐ ises that is connected to a communications service provider and is powered at the premises.Premises Communications Circuit. The circuit that extends voice, audio, video, data, interactive services, telegraph (except radio), and outside wiring for fire alarm and burglar alarm from the service provider’s network terminal to the customer’s communications equipment up to and including terminal equipment, such as a telephone, a fax machine, or an answer‐ ing machine.Premises Community Antenna Television (CATV) Circuit. The circuit that extends community antenna television (CATV) systems for audio, video, data, and interactive services from the service provider’s network terminal to the appropriate customer equipment.
Other Articles.

Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Premises-powered broadband communications circuits and equipment installed in a location that is classified in accordance with 500.5 and505.5 shall comply with the applicable requirements of Chap‐ ter 5.
Cables in Ducts for Dust, Loose Stock, or Vapor Removal. The requirements of 300.22(A), 770.3(B), 800.3(B), and 820.3(B) shall apply.
Equipment in Other Space Used for Environmental Air.The requirements of 300.22(C)(3) shall apply.
Installation and Use. The requirements of 110.3(B) shall apply.
Output Circuits. As appropriate for the services provided, the output circuits derived from the network terminal shall comply with the requirements of the following:
1. Installations of communications circuits — Part V of Arti‐ cle 800
2. Installations of premises (within buildings) community antenna television and radio distribution circuits —Part V of Article 820
3. Installations of optical fiber cables — Part V of Article 770
4. Installations of Class 2 and Class 3 circuits — Part III of Article 725
  Informational Note: See 725.121 for information on the classifi‐cation of information technology equipment circuits.
5. Installations of power-limited fire alarm circuits —
Part III of Article 760N
Other Communications Systems. As appropriate for the system involved, traditional communications systems shall comply with the requirements of the following:
1. Communications Circuits — Article 800
2. Radio and Television Equipment — Article 810
3. Community Antenna Television and Radio Distribution Systems — Article 820
4. Network-Powered Broadband Communications Systems
— Article 830N
Electrical Classification of Data Circuits and Cables.

Sections 725.139(D)(1) and 800.133(A)(1)(c) shall apply to

the electrical classification of Class 2 and Class 3 circuits in the same cable with communications circuits.

840.21 Access to Electrical Equipment Behind Panels Designed to Allow Access. Access to electrical equipment shall not be denied by an accumulation of premises-powered broadband cables that prevents removal of panels, including suspended ceiling panels.

Mechanical Execution of Work. The requirements of 770.24, 800.24, and 820.24 shall apply.
Abandoned Cables. The requirements of 770.25, 800.25, and 820.25 shall apply.
Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion. The requirements of 770.26, 800.26, and 820.26 shall apply.

Part II. Cables Outside and Entering Buildings

Overhead (Aerial) Optical Fiber Cables. Overhead (aerial) optical fiber cables containing a non–current-carrying metallic member entering buildings shall comply with 840.44(A) and (B).
1. On Poles and In-Span. Where outside plant optical fiber cables and electric light or power conductors are supported by the same pole or are run parallel to each other in-span, the conditions described in 840.44(A)(1) through (A)(4) shall be met.
  1. Relative Location. Where practicable, the outside plant optical fiber cables shall be located below the electric light or power conductors.
  2. Attachment to Cross-Arms. Attachment of outside plant optical fiber cables to a cross-arm that carries electric light or power conductors shall not be permitted.
  3. Climbing Space. The climbing space through outside plant optical fiber cables shall comply with the requirements of 225.14(D).
  4. Clearance. Supply service drops and sets of overhead serv‐ ice conductors of 0 to 750 volts running above and parallel to broadband communications service drops shall have a mini‐ mum separation of 300 mm (12 in.) at any point in the span, including the point of and at their attachment to the building. Clearance of not less than 1.0 m (40 in.) shall be maintained between the two services at the pole.
2. Above Roofs. Outside plant optical fiber cables shall have a vertical clearance of not less than 2.5 m (8 ft) from all points of roofs above which they pass.
Exception No. 1: Vertical clearance requirements shall not apply to auxiliary buildings, such as garages and the like.Exception No. 2: A reduction in clearance above only the overhanging portion of the roof, to not less than 450 mm (18 in.), shall be permitted if (a) not more than 1.2 m (4 ft) of premises-powered broadband communications service-drop cable passes above the roof overhang, and(b) the cable is terminated at a through- or above-the-roof raceway or approved support.Exception No. 3: Where the roof has a slope of not less than 100 mm in 300 mm (4 in. in 12 in.), a reduction in clearance to not less than 900 mm (3 ft) shall be permitted.
Informational Note: For additional information regarding over‐ head wires and cables, see ANSI/IEEE C2-2012, National Electri‐ cal Safety Code, Part 2, Safety Rules for Overhead Lines.N
Overhead (Aerial) Communications Wires and Cables. Section 800.44 shall apply to overhead (aerial) communica‐ tions wires and multipair communications cables.N
Overhead (Aerial) Coaxial Cables. Section 820.44 shall apply to overhead (aerial) coaxial cables.
Underground Wires and Cables Entering Buildings. Underground wires and cables entering buildings shall comply with 840.47(A) through (C).
1. Optical Fiber Cables.
  1. Class 1 or Non–Power-Limited Fire Alarm Circuits. Underground conductive optical fiber cables entering build‐ ings 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.
  2. Direct-Buried Cables. 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: Separation shall not be required where the electric service conductors are installed in raceways or have metal cable armor.Exception No. 2: Separation shall not be required where the 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.
  3. Mechanical Protection. Direct-buried cable, conduit, or other raceway shall be installed to have a minimum cover of 150 mm (6 in.).N
2. Communications Wires and Cables. Installations of communications wires and multipair communications cables shall comply with 800.47.N
3. Coaxial Cables. Installations of coaxial cables shall comply with 820.47.
Unlisted Wires and Cables Entering Buildings. Installa‐ tions of unlisted cables entering buildings shall comply with 840.48(A), (B), or (C), as applicable.N
1. Optical Fiber Cables. Installations of unlisted optical fiber cables entering buildings shall comply with 770.48.N
2. Communications Wires and Cables. Installations of unlis‐ ted communications wires and unlisted multipair communica‐ tions cables entering buildings shall comply with 800.48.N
3. Coaxial Cables. Installations of unlisted coaxial cables entering buildings shall comply with 820.48.
Metallic Entrance Conduit Grounding. The require‐ ments of 770.49, 800.49, and 820.49 shall apply, as applicable.

Part III. Protection

840.90 Protective Devices. The requirements of 800.90 shall apply.

840.93 Grounding or Interruption. Non–current-carrying metallic members of optical fiber cables, communications cables, or coaxial cables entering buildings or attaching to buildings shall comply with 840.93(A), (B), or (C), respectively.

Non–Current-Carrying Metallic Members of Optical Fiber Cables. Non–current-carrying metallic members of optical fiber cables entering a building or terminating on the outside of a building shall comply with 770.93(A) or (B).
Communications Cables. The grounding or interruption of the metallic sheath of communications cable shall comply with 800.93.
Coaxial Cables. Where the network terminal is installed inside or outside of the building, with coaxial cables terminat‐ ing at the network terminal, and is either entering, exiting, or attached to the outside of the building, 820.93 shall apply.

Part IV. Grounding Methods

Network Terminal and Cable Grounding. Grounding required for protection of the network terminal, conductive optical fiber cables, multipair communications cables, antenna lead-in conductors, and coaxial cables shall comply with 770.100, 800.100, 810.21 , or 820.100, as applicable.
Premises Circuits Not Leaving the Building. Where the network terminal is served by a nonconductive optical fiber cable, or where any non–current-carrying metallic member of a conductive optical fiber cable is interrupted by an insulating joint or equivalent device, and circuits that terminate at the network terminal are completely contained within the building (i.e., they do not exit the building), 840.101(A), (B), or (C) shall apply, as applicable.

Coaxial Cable Shield Grounding. The shield of coaxial cable shall be grounded by one of the following:
1. Any of the methods described in 820.100 or 820.106
2. A fixed connection to an equipment grounding conduc‐ tor as described in 250.118
3. Connection to the network terminal grounding terminal provided that the terminal is connected to ground by one of the methods described in 820.100 or 820.106, or to an equipment grounding conductor through a listed grounding device that will retain the ground connection if the network terminal is unplugged
Communications Circuit Grounding. Communications circuits shall not be required to be grounded.
Network Terminal Grounding. The network terminal shall not be required to be grounded unless required by its list‐ ing. If the coaxial cable shield is separately grounded as descri‐ bed in 840.101(A)(1) or 840.101(A)(2), the use of a cord and plug for the connection to the network terminal grounding connection shall be permitted.

Informational Note: Where required to be grounded, a listed device that extends the equipment grounding conductor from the receptacle to the network terminal equipment grounding terminal is permitted. Sizing of the extended equipment grounding conductor is covered in Table 250.122.

840.106 Grounding and Bonding at Mobile Homes.

Grounding. Grounding shall comply with (1) and (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 shall be connected to a grounding electrode in accordance with 770.106(A)(1). The network terminal, if required to be grounded, shall be connected to a grounding electrode in accordance with 800.106(A)(1). Premises CATV circuits shall be grounded in accordance with 820.106(A)(1), unless the network terminal is listed to provide the grounding path for the shield of the coaxial cable. The grounding elec‐ trode shall be bonded in accordance with 770.106(B).
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 shall be connected to a grounding electrode in accordance with 770.106(A)(2). The network terminal, if required to be grounded, shall be connected to a grounding electrode in accordance with 800.106(A)(2). Premises CATV circuits shall be grounded in accordance with 820.106(A)(2), unless the network terminal is listed to provide the grounding path for the shield of the coaxial cable. The grounding electrode shall be bonded in accordance with 770.106(B).
Bonding. The network terminal grounding terminal or grounding electrode shall be connected to the metal frame or available grounding terminal of the mobile home with a copper conductor not smaller than 12 AWG under any of the following conditions:
1. Where there is no mobile home service equipment or disconnecting means as specified in 840.106(A).
2. Where the mobile home is supplied by cord and plug.

Part V. Installation Methods Within Buildings

840.110 Raceways and Cable Routing Assemblies. Installa‐ tions of raceways and cable routing assemblies for premises- powered broadband communications cables shall comply with 840.110(A)840.110(A), (B), or (C) as applicable.

Optical Fiber Cables. The requirements of 770.110 shall apply.N
Multipair Communications Cables. The requirements of800.110 shall apply.N
Coaxial Cables. The requirements of 820.110 shall apply.

840.113 Installation on the Customer Premises Side of the Network Terminal. Installation of premises communications circuits and premises coaxial circuits shall comply with 840.113(A) or (B) as applicable.

Premises Communications Circuits. Premises communica‐ tions wires and multipair cables installed in a building from the network terminal shall be listed in accordance with 800.179, and the installation shall comply with 800.113 and 800.133.
Premises Community Antenna Television (CATV) Circuits. Premises CATV coaxial cables installed in a building from the network terminal shall be listed in accordance with 820.179, and the installation shall comply with 820.113 and 820.133.

840.133 Installation of Optical Fibers and Electrical Conduc‐ tors. The requirements of 770.133 shall apply.

840.154 Applications of Listed Optical Fiber Cables. The requirements of 770.154 shall apply.

Part VI. Premises Powering of Communications Equipment over Communications Cables

840.160 Powering Circuits. Communications cables, in addi‐ tion to carrying the communications circuit, shall also be permitted to carry circuits for powering communications equipment. Where the power supplied over a communications cable to communications equipment is greater than 60 watts, communication cables and the power circuit shall comply with

725.144 where communications cables are used in place of Class 2 and Class 3 cables.

Part VII. Listing Requirements

840.170 Equipment and Cables. Premises-powered broad‐ band communications systems equipment and cables shall comply with 840.170(A) through (H).

Network Terminal. The network terminal and applicable grounding means shall be listed for application with premises- powered broadband communications systems.Informational Note No. 1: One way to determine applicable requirements is to refer to ANSI/UL 60950-1-2014, Standard for Safety of Information Technology Equipment; ANSI/UL 498A-2015, Current Taps and Adapters; ANSI/UL 467-2013, Grounding and Bonding Equipment; or ANSI/UL 62368-1-2014, Audio/Video, Infor‐ mation and Communication Technology Equipment – Part 1: Safety Requirements.Informational Note No. 2: There are no requirements on the network terminal and its grounding methodologies except for those covered by the listing of the product.
Optical Fiber Cables. Optical fiber cables shall be listed in accordance with 770.179(A) through (D) and shall be marked in accordance with Table 770.179.
Communications Equipment. Communications equip‐ ment shall be listed in accordance with 800.170. Premises communications wires and cables connecting to the network terminal shall be listed in accordance with 800.179.N
Cable Routing Assemblies and Communications Raceways. Cable routing assemblies and communications raceways shall be listed in accordance with 800.182.N
Premises Communications Wires and Cables. Communi‐ cations wires and cable shall be listed and marked in accord‐ ance with 800.179.
Premises Community Antenna Television (CATV) Circuits. Premises community antenna television (CATV) coaxial cables connecting to the network terminal shall be listed in accord‐ ance with 820.179. Applicable grounding means shall be listed for application with premises-powered broadband communica‐ tions systems.
N
Power Source. The power source for circuits intended to provide power over communications cables to remote equip‐ ment shall be limited in accordance with Table 11(B) in Chap‐ ter 9 for voltage sources up to 60 V dc and be listed as specified in either of the following:
1. A power source shall be listed as specified in 725.121(A) (1), (A)(2), (A)(3), or (A)(4). The power sources shall not have the output connections paralleled or otherwise interconnected unless listed for such interconnection.
2. A power source shall be listed as communications equip‐ ment for limited-power circuits.
Informational Note: One way to determine applicable require‐ ments is to refer to ANSI/UL 60950-1-2014, Standard for Safety of Information Technology Equipment-Safety — Part 1; or ANSI/ UL 62368-1-2014, Audio/Video, Information and CommunicationTechnology Equipment — Part 1: Safety Requirements. Typically, such circuits are used to interconnect equipment for the purpose of exchanging information (data).N
Accessory Equipment. Communications accessory equip‐ ment and/or assemblies shall be listed for application with premises-powered communications systems.

Informational Note: One way to determine applicable require‐ ments is to refer to ANSI/UL 1863-2004, Communications-Circuit Accessories.

840.180 Grounding Devices. Where bonding or grounding is required, devices used to connect a shield, a sheath, or non– current-carrying metallic members of a cable to a bonding conductor, or grounding electrode conductor, shall be listed or be part of listed equipment.

Last posts