800 – General Requirements for Communications Systems

Article 800 – General Requirements for Communications Systems

Change at a Glance:

New Article 800 (General Requirements for Communications Systems) combines common requirements previously found in Articles 800, 820, 830 and 840 into a new “general” article that applies to all of these articles.

Article 800 General Requirements for Communications Systems

Part I. General
800.1 Scope. This article covers general requirements for communications systems. These general requirements apply to communication circuits, and equipment community antenna television and radio distribution systems, network-powered broadband communication systems, and premises-powered broadband communication systems unless modified by Articles 805, 820, 830, or 840.
800.2 Definitions.
800.3 Other Articles.
800.21 Access to Electrical Equipment Behind Panels Designed to Allow Access.
800.24 Mechanical Execution of Work. 800.25 Abandoned Cables.
800.26 Spread of Fire or Products of Combustion.
800.27 Temperature Limitations of Wires and Cables.

Part II. Wires and Cables Outside and Entering Buildings
800.44 Overhead (Aerial) Wires and Cables.
800.49 Metal Entrance Conduit Grounding.
800.53 Separation from Lightning Conductors.

Part III. Grounding Methods
800.100 Cable and Primary Protector Bonding and Grounding.
800.106 Primary Protector Grounding and Bonding at Mobile Homes.

Part IV. Installation Methods Within Buildings
800.110 Raceways, Cable Routing Assemblies, and Cable Trays.
800.113 Installation of Wires, Cables, Cable Routing Assemblies, and Communications Raceways.
800.154 Applications of Listed Communications Wires, Cables, and Raceways, and Listed Cable Routing Assemblies. Table
800.154(a) Applications of Listed Communications Wires, Cables, and Network- Powered Broadband Communications System Cables in Buildings
Table 800.154(b) Applications of Listed Communications Raceways in Buildings.
Table 800.154(c) Applications of Listed Cable Routing Assemblies in Buildings.
800.179 Plenum, Riser, General-Purpose, and Limited Use Cables.

Part V. Listing Requirements
800.180 Grounding Devices.
800.182 Cable Routing Assemblies and Communications Raceways.
Table 800.182(a) Cable Routing Assembly Markings
Table 800.182(b) Communications Raceway Markings

(See NEC for complete text of Article)

800.2 – Communications Circuit

Change at a Glance:

The definition of a “Communications Circuit” was revised to remove the “list” of service types offered by a communications circuit.

800.2 Definitions. (General Requirements for Communications Systems) Communications Circuit.

The circuit that extends service voice, audio, video, data, interactive services, telegraph (except radio), outside wiring for fire alarm and burglar alarm from the communications utility or service provider to and including the customer’s communications equipment up to and including terminal equipment such as a telephone, fax machine, or answering machine.

800.3 – General Requirements for Communications Systems

Change at a Glance:

New text was added to reinforce the independence of Article 800 and Chapter 8. Only those sections of Chapters 1 through 7 referenced in Article 800 shall apply to communications systems.

800.3 Other Articles. (General Requirements for Communications Systems)

Only those sections of Chapters 1 through 7 referenced in Chapter 8 shall apply to Chapter 8.

(A) Hazardous (Classified) Locations. Communications Circuits and equipment installed in a location that is classified in accordance with 500.5 and 505.5 shall comply with the applicable requirements of Chapter 5.

(B) Wiring in Ducts for Dust, Loose Stock, or Vapor Removal. The requirements of 300.22(A) shall apply.

(C) Equipment in Other Space Used for Environmental Air. The requirements of 300.22(C)(3) shall apply.

(D) Installation and Use. The requirements of 110.3(B) shall apply.

(E) Network-Powered Broadband Communications Systems. Article 830 shall apply to network- powered broadband communications systems.

(F) Premises-Powered Broadband Communications Systems. Article 840 shall apply to premises- powered broadband communications systems.

(G) (E) Optical Fiber Cable. Where optical fiber cable is used, either in whole or in part, to provide a communications circuit within a building, Article 770 shall apply to the installation of the optical fiber portion of the communications circuit.

(H) Temperature Limitation of Conductors. Section 310.15(A)(3) shall apply.

(F) Other Communications Systems. As appropriate for the system involved, communications systems shall also 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 830
(5) Premises-Powered Broadband Communications Systems — Article 840

(G) Reconditioned Equipment. The requirements of 110.21(A)(2) shall apply.

800.27 – Temperature Limitation of Wire and Cables

Change at a Glance:

New section added to specify that no communication wire or cable be used in such a manner that its operating temperature exceeds that of its rating.

800.27 Temperature Limitation of Wire and Cables. (General Requirements for Communications Systems)

No wire or cable shall be used in such a manner that its operating temperature exceeds that of its rating.

800.44(C) and (D) – Overhead (Aerial) Communications Wires and Cables

Change at a Glance:

Requirements were added for all communications circuits pertaining to attachment above-the-roof raceway mast and cables extending between buildings or structures.

800.44 Overhead (Aerial) Communications Wires and Cables. (General Requirements for Communications Systems)

Overhead (aerial) communications wires and cables entering buildings shall comply with 800.44(A) through and (B)(D).

Informational Note: For additional information regarding overhead (aerial) wires and cables, see ANSI C2-2017, National Electrical Safety Code, Part 2 Safety Rules for Overhead Lines.

(A) On Poles and In-Span. (see NEC for complete Code text)

(B) Above Roofs. (see NEC for complete Code text)

(C) On Masts. Overhead (aerial) communications and CATV type coaxial cables shall be permitted to be attached to an above-the-roof raceway mast that does not enclose or support conductors of electric light or power circuits.

(D) Between Buildings. Communications and CATV type coaxial cables extending between buildings or structures, and also the supports or attachment fixtures, shall be identified and shall have sufficient strength to withstand the loads to which they might be subjected.
Exception: Where the coaxial cable does not have sufficient strength to be self-supporting, it shall be attached to a supporting messenger cable that, together with the attachment fixtures or supports, shall be acceptable for the purpose and shall have sufficient strength to withstand the loads to which they might be subjected.